Kawase worked on landscape and urban prints based on sketches he made during travels around Japan. Earlier ukiyo-e masters such as Hiroshige and Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849). were influential in Kawase's work
Kawase was a realist and used Western compositions in his paintings . He made travel and landscape prints from woodblocks and watercolours. His paintings are beautiful in their natural tones of light and shade..
He also painted works in oil, and produced traditional hanging scrolls.
His artistry was much appreciated worldwide and in 1956 was named a Living National Treasure in Japan.
