Futarasan Shrine at Nikko (Nikko Futarasan jinja) c. 1930s

Curator: This print, held here at The Art Institute of Chicago, is entitled "Futarasan Shrine at Nikko." It was created around the 1930s by Tsuchiya Koitsu. It’s a stunning example of the ukiyo-e style and the technique of woodblock printing. Editor: Well, right away, I'm struck by the mood. It's so quiet, almost melancholic, with that constant rain. The whole scene is bathed in these soft blues and greys; it makes you want to curl up with a cup of tea. Curator: Yes, the colour palette is very restrained. Koitsu really excels at creating atmosphere through subtle tonal variations. Notice how the vertical lines of the rain contrast with the more solid forms of the torii gate and the buildings behind it, how the horizontal stone slates pull you forward. Editor: It’s interesting how the torii gate is framed; almost like a stage. Your eyes are immediately drawn through it, further into the heart of the shrine complex. You see less defined architectural structures beyond. Is that strategic obfuscation perhaps? Or mystery, deliberately implied by the artist? Curator: Perhaps it is a suggestion about shifting planes. The strong presence of the gate in the foreground works to compress the background, flattening our depth of field in an unexpected fashion. The contrast invites analysis, perhaps even skepticism, which keeps the viewer actively engaged with the structure itself. Editor: What I appreciate most is that Koitsu captures a very specific sense of place, a feeling I think that’s very unique to Japan. There is such a blend of the sacred and the everyday in his landscape composition, the sublime and the mundane. Curator: And it's the very essence of Shin-hanga movement really – this reinvigoration of traditional ukiyo-e themes through a more modern, personal lens. Think about his usage of light and shadow or consider that heavy downpour: rather than obscuring the scene, it brings it to life, gives it dimension and depth. Editor: Absolutely. I feel like I've actually been to Nikko now, just from looking at this print. Art is the ultimate connector to me—it’s just about sparking connections and stirring our feelings and our senses! Curator: Well, after all, that is what is so very delightful about discovering such art!