Kikuzaka Street 1939

Toshi Yoshida’s woodblock print ‘Kikuzaka Street’ captures a moment in time with a tender touch. You can see it in the way the colours blend, almost like a watercolour, a real sense of softness. This is how the printmaking process can be understood: not as a mechanical reproduction, but as a dance, an interplay between intention and material. Look at how the sky melts into the rooftops. Yoshida’s handling of colour gives the whole scene a dreamlike quality. The way the light touches the buildings, the subtle gradations—it all contributes to a feeling of nostalgia. And then there’s that little tree, clinging to the side of the building, its branches reaching out like fingers. It’s a small detail, but it brings the whole scene to life. Yoshida’s work reminds me of other artists who are interested in capturing the fleeting moments of everyday life, like Bonnard, for instance, who was interested in the intimate details of domestic life. Ultimately, ‘Kikuzaka Street’ is a reminder that art is always an ongoing conversation, a way of seeing and experiencing the world that is always open to new interpretations.