Sunset at Shirasagi Castle by Hasui Kawase, 1935

Sunset at Shirasagi Castle by Hasui Kawase is a masterful Japanese woodblock print that encapsulates the tranquil beauty of Himeji Castle, nicknamed “Shirasagi-jō” or the White Egret Castle. Created in 1935, this seminal work reflects Hasui Kawase’s reputation as one of the great artists of the shin-hanga (“new prints”) movement, renowned for reimagining traditional ukiyo-e styles with fresh perspectives and luminous, modern coloring.

We are pleased to offer a museum-quality fine art print of this iconic piece, produced on acid-free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas. Carefully color-matched to the original, each print radiates the ethereal quality of Hasui’s vision. Various size, framing, and personalization options are available from The Unique Maps Co., ensuring a fit with any space or aesthetic.

Hasui Kawase (1883–1957) is celebrated as a master of landscape woodblock prints, with an œuvre noted for evocative scenes of Japan’s temples, castles, and countryside. His travels across the country resulted in over 600 prints, many depicting a romantic yet precise vision of pre-war Japan. Hasui’s refined technique marries atmospheric tone with subtle gradations in light, marking him as a poetic chronicler of place and season.

Sunset at Shirasagi Castle (白鷺城の夕日, Shirasagijō no Yūhi) stands out for its striking depiction of the venerable castle rising amidst tranquil waters and extensive greenery. Here, Hasui’s use of airy blues captures the cooling embrace of twilight, suggesting the gentle hush of day’s end—while soft pinks illuminate the sky with the afterglow of sunset, and lush green foliage adds serenity to the scene. The balance between intricate architectural detail and expressive color is emblematic of both Hasui’s technical mastery and his feel for the lyrical in landscape.

Collectors and enthusiasts are enchanted by Hasui’s characteristic sense of harmony: drifting clouds, shimmering water reflections, and the stillness of Shirasagi Castle are rendered with precision, yet they evoke palpable nostalgia and calm. Hasui’s prints, such as this one, not only record the grandeur of Japanese heritage but also offer a window into a vanished era—making each piece an extraordinary addition to the home and an heirloom for generations.

This fine art print makes a thoughtful and elegant gift, perfect for Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, or celebrating a new home. Its classic beauty and historical depth will grace any wall, while offering lasting enjoyment to admirers of Japanese art and timeless landscapes alike.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.