This photo and post were first shared on September 15, 2024, when we knew almost nothing about these postcards or how to interpret their contents. Since then, we’ve been piecing together the story, one fragment at a time. Progress has been slow—like assembling a 1,000-piece puzzle with only a few pieces in place. With continued effort and a little luck, we hope to uncover more. For now, we’re pleased to share that we’ve identified the sender of this postcard.
*From our review of the available correspondence, it appears that Kawai Shinzo preferred using the name 河合新造 rather than 河合新蔵, at least prior to his emergence as a prominent artist.
*This 1926 woodblock print by Yoshida Hiroshi (1876-1950) shows Kawai Shinzo's two daughters.
This postal card bears the postmark of Osaka, dated January 1, 1890. It was sent from Minami-Honmachi, Osaka (大阪 南本町１丁目) by Kawai Shinzo (河合新蔵, 1867–1936) prior to his rise to prominence as a Western-style painter, while he was still studying under the guidance of Maeda Yoshihiko (前田吉彦) in Kobe.
There are many watercolor paintings by Kawai, with the majority featuring landscapes, making his works relatively accessible. However, we have not been able to locate any of his ink drawings online or find references to such works. As we are merely scratching the surface of Japanese art—a field in which our knowledge is very limited—our observations should be taken as preliminary. Our aim is simply to share previously unpublished material and provide readers with insights using the resources available to us.
Kawai Shinzō (1867–1936) was a distinguished Japanese painter whose career spanned a transformative era in Japanese art history. Born in Osaka, he demonstrated an early aptitude for painting and studied under Maeda Yoshihiko, a respected figure in Western-style art who taught pencil drawing at the Kobe School. Under Maeda’s tutelage, Kawai developed his skills in Western-style techniques, which influenced his artistic approach.
In 1891, Kawai moved to Tokyo, where he joined the Goseda school, a prominent art school for Western-style painting. This decision would prove pivotal to his artistic development. At the time, Tokyo was a vibrant hub of cultural and artistic innovation, attracting some of the most talented and ambitious artists in Japan. The city provided Kawai with access to new ideas, techniques, and artistic movements, including the growing influence of Western art. This exposure allowed him to expand his creative repertoire, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with elements of Yōga (Western-style painting).
Throughout his career, Kawai's works often depicted natural landscapes, showcasing his exceptional skill in watercolor. He used the medium to capture subtle nuances of light and atmosphere, exemplifying his ability to blend Western techniques with Japanese sensibilities into harmonious and evocative compositions.
Below is what was published on September 15, 2024.
前田吉彦 神戸美術先生 1890年のオリジナルアート付き年賀状
この1890年の年賀状（明治23年1月1日）は、大阪から作者不明のアーティストによって送られました。作品には、凛々しい馬に乗って微笑む男が描かれており、彼は日の出の旗を掲げ、背景には城が見えます。描画のシンプルさがそのインパクトを高めています。1890年が午年であったため、この作品に描かれた勇ましい馬には象徴的な意味が込められているのでしょう。
よく見ると、男の服にいくつかの文字があり、城のすぐ下にはアーティストのサインらしきものがあります。これらの文字ははっきりとはしていません。その為、この芸術的なはがきの送信者は不明です。どなたかこの送信者を特定できる読者がいるかもしれません。
New Year's Card from 1890 with Original Artwork Addressed to Maeda Yoshihiko, Western-Style Painter
This New Year's card from 1890 (Meiji 23, January 1st) was sent from Osaka by an unknown artist. The artwork depicts a smiling man riding a gallant horse, holding a rising sun flag, with a castle visible in the background. The simplicity of the drawing enhances its impact. Since 1890 was the Year of the Horse, the brave horse depicted in the artwork likely holds symbolic meaning.
Upon closer inspection, there are some characters on the man's clothing, and what appears to be the artist's signature just below the castle. However, these characters are not clear, making it difficult to identify the sender of this artistic postcard. Perhaps a reader might be able to identify the sender.
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