Tsurumeso at the Gion Festival 1926

Nakajima Kahô painted ‘Tsurumeso at the Gion Festival’, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century, using ink and colour on paper. Look at the way he’s drawn the figures, so delicately outlined, yet robust with their armour! I can imagine him sketching them, trying to capture their movement, that sense of procession. He probably saw them during the festival, observing how the light caught the metal of their helmets. I love how the colour and pattern surrounds the central scene, creating a kind of frame, as if the artist is offering us a glimpse into a world of ritual and tradition. This tension between line and colour creates a compelling dynamic that’s both controlled and free. This piece reminds me of other ukiyo-e artists, like Hokusai or Hiroshige, who also captured scenes of everyday life with such a keen eye. It's like they’re all in conversation, exploring different ways of seeing and representing the world around them. They remind me that art isn't just about representation, but about expressing a feeling or a moment in time.