Combing the Hair 1933

Torii Kotondo made this print called 'Combing the Hair.' It's a Japanese woodblock print of a woman in a kimono, running a comb through her long, black hair. The way this piece is made feels very process-oriented. Like he's thinking through each step, letting the materials guide him. The colors are subtle, not too bold or flashy. The background is a blend of blues and greens, almost like looking up through water. Then, there's this figure, so calm, so still. I really get drawn to the kimono. It's got these soft floral patterns and the way the colors mix and blur. You can almost feel the texture of the fabric. The lines of the kimono are so precise, they really showcase the artist's skill. It reminds me a little of Utamaro, who also found beauty in these everyday moments. What's great about prints is they invite ambiguity. There's no fixed meaning, it's all in the feeling.