Hasui Kawase, the Japanese printmaker who inspired Studio Ghibli’s animation style

Born in Tokyo, Kawase demonstrated a talent for art from a very young age. In his early works you can see beautiful landscapes that convey a sense of tranquility unique to Japanese natural environments. In these representations, the artist has managed to capture the essence of rural environments with careful attention to detail.

Delicate lines and bright color choices helped Kawase create atmospheric images that evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia, through which viewers are practically transported to scenes that lie somewhere between reality and fantasy. This is very similar to what happens with Studio Ghibli films.

The spaces in Studio Ghibli films are one of the most characteristic and charming elements of its visual narrative. In My Neighbor Totorogreen fields stretch beyond the horizon, conveying a sense of freedom and rural simplicity.

Both in this film and in Spirited Away y Princess Mononoke, to give a few examples, the landscapes are very reminiscent of Kawase’s woodcut style. Whether we’re looking at the animation of lush forests or beautiful countryside landscapes, it’s clear that Miyazaki always wanted to pay homage to one of his favorite artists.

Something very special about Studio Ghibli productions are those nuances that combine the real and the dreamlike, enveloping the stories and characters in a dreamlike atmosphere. This, as we mentioned above, is something that characterizes all of Kawase’s work.