In a Yukata 1922

Ito Shinsui made this woodblock print, "In a Yukata," with a real delicacy, playing with soft blues and grays. It’s all about process, carving away to leave just what he wants. I love the way he uses the printmaking technique to create the impression of soft fabric. Look at the woman’s yukata, that loose cotton kimono, patterned with these tiny white squares. The texture feels almost palpable, like you could reach out and feel the weave. The fan is rendered with a soft gradient, and the flower design is so pure, it suggests coolness and calm. I am also drawn to the way he has represented the fan’s handle with a series of lines and tones. These feel like a form of abstract expressionism in and of themselves! It reminds me a little of the work of Pierre Bonnard, in the way it captures a moment of intimate domesticity. It's a conversation across time and cultures, about beauty and the fleeting nature of everyday life. Art is an ongoing thing; it is not set in stone, but can change its meaning and interpretations as time goes on.