Self-Portrait at Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto 1933

Hasui Kawase made this self-portrait at Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto with what appears to be traditional woodblock printing techniques. Just imagine him, carefully carving into the wood, the decisions he's making with each line. The night scene, bathed in cool blues and grays, feels incredibly still. Two stars hang in the inky sky, and you can almost feel the cool night air on your skin. I wonder what Kawase was thinking as he stood there, looking out over the city. Was he contemplating his place in the world? Thinking about his own mortality? Or was he simply enjoying the beauty of the moment? It reminds me of Edward Hopper who also captured a certain sense of loneliness and contemplation in his paintings. Ultimately, this piece is a reminder of the power of art to transport us to another place and time, to connect us with the thoughts and feelings of another human being.