Ushibori 1930

Hasui Kawase made "Ushibori," this woodblock print, at an unknown date. The blue monochrome gives this landscape a feeling of dreamy stillness. The falling snowflakes are like pinpricks in the composition, each one a delicate gesture contributing to the overall mood. Looking closely, you can see the texture of the paper and the subtle gradations in the blue ink, a testament to the labor-intensive process of woodblock printing. I'm drawn to the reflections in the water, the way the lights from the buildings shimmer and dance on the surface. Each element feels carefully considered, yet there's a spontaneity to the composition. The snow obscures the scene, making the water, the little boat, and the buildings all seem to glow in the dim light. Like Whistler, Kawase seems interested in capturing a particular atmosphere or moment in time, embracing ambiguity and suggesting rather than explicitly defining.