Riet 1800 - 1900

Ishikawa Kazan created this delicate drawing, Riet, with ink on paper sometime between 1810 and 1823. Kazan was born into a samurai family in Japan during the late Edo period, a time marked by strict social hierarchies and relative isolation from the West. Kazan’s work, which often depicted natural subjects, reflects the era's interest in botanical studies and the appreciation of the subtle beauty in the everyday. The sensitive depiction of the plant conveys not just its form but also a sense of its inherent vitality. This close observation of nature served not only as an artistic endeavor but also as a form of quiet contemplation. The simple, unadorned presentation also speaks to the Zen Buddhist influences prevalent in Japanese art and culture at the time, which emphasized simplicity and direct experience. It asks us to consider the beauty inherent in the ordinary and invites a meditative interaction with the natural world.