In a Light Summer Kimono with Irises 1933

Torii Kotondo made this print of a figure in a light summer kimono with irises, but when isn’t clear. The pattern on the kimono is incredible, like a field of irises has somehow exploded onto the fabric. Look closely, and you can see how each of these little marks, these tiny lines and dots, come together to create this overall image, like a million little thoughts aligning to form something complete. The texture is smooth, the colors soft. Notice the details, like the red accents in the obi and the dressing table. Each element seems carefully placed, inviting us into this intimate moment. I love how the irises on the kimono mimic the curve of her body, as if the fabric itself is alive. Kotondo's work reminds me a bit of Utamaro, in its attention to detail and focus on the intimate lives of women, but it is entirely his own. It’s a beautiful example of how art is never really finished, but always evolving, always in conversation with the past and present.