Face Shōwa period,

Curator: Here we have Kaoru Kawano's woodcut print, simply titled "Face," now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It measures about 16 by 12 inches. What's your first impression? Editor: Haunting. It feels ancient and raw, like something pulled from a dream or a forgotten memory, maybe even a death mask. Curator: The stark black and white, achieved through the woodcut technique, really amplifies that feeling, doesn't it? I see echoes of traditional Japanese Noh masks. The horizontal lines across the face are really interesting, almost like bandages or maybe the grain of the wood itself being emphasized. Editor: Absolutely. Those lines remind me of the way we often symbolically depict the passage of time—like the rings of a tree, recording lived moments, but also obscuring, veiling the individual. It invites contemplation on mortality. Curator: It’s a powerful piece, offering a window into universal human themes through a uniquely Japanese lens. Editor: I agree. It's a simple yet profound exploration of identity and impermanence.