Kamisuki (Combing the hair) 1920

Editor: This is Hashiguchi Goyo’s ‘Kamisuki (Combing the hair)’ from 1920, created with woodblock print on silk. It’s a lovely image and feels very intimate; she’s captured in this simple domestic act. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Intimacy certainly arises from the masterful interplay of line and form. Notice the graphic quality of the bold black hair against the pale skin and subtly patterned kimono. The linear nature is what first captures my attention. How the artist creates dimension with such clear unwavering strokes. Editor: Yes, and even the negative space around the figure is quite striking. Curator: Precisely. The flatness enhances the subject's presence. Consider also how the curvilinear lines of her hair contrast with the geometric patterns of her kimono. There's an elegant tension in this juxtaposition of the organic and the structured. Does the balance and contrast impact your interpretation? Editor: It does, and the way the light catches the curve of her neck seems important too; it softens an otherwise stark contrast. What would you say the function is? Curator: The careful manipulation of light accentuates her delicate features, enhancing the feminine ideal represented here. It isn’t photorealistic and thus directs us to appreciate its formalism and craftsmanship. This visual language becomes a critical component in understanding the image. Editor: It’s amazing how much meaning can be drawn from just the formal elements of an artwork. Curator: Indeed. By understanding this approach, we uncover complex messages without necessarily resorting to contextual or historical readings. This enriches our understanding of not only this specific work, but of art in general.