Before the Storm 1920

Ito Shinsui’s woodblock print, Before the Storm, captures a fleeting moment, a liminal space right before the weather turns. The color palette is muted, atmospheric – greys and greens dominate, creating a sense of foreboding. The plants in the foreground are rendered with a lively, almost calligraphic line. Look at the way the individual blades of grass are suggested through rhythmic strokes, giving a sense of movement and energy, as though the wind is already picking up. The texture of the sky feels almost like dry pastel. I keep coming back to that single bird flying high. Its presence is a reminder of the natural world's resilience. Think of other artists like Hiroshige who found such eloquence and quiet in the landscape. There is a conversation taking place here, spanning across time and cultures, speaking to the power of suggestion and evocation in art. Meaning is not fixed or certain; it resides in the space of encounter.