Kozu, Osaka 1924

Hasui Kawase’s Kozu, Osaka, is a woodblock print with shades of deep blue, grey and beige. I like to imagine the artist at night, meticulously carving the image into blocks, layering the inks to build up this nocturne. I wonder if Kawase felt the weight of tradition, walking in the footsteps of Hokusai and Hiroshige, yet finding his own voice. Those tiny lights across the water, that single star – were they painted from memory or direct observation? Think about the meditative act of carving each line, the physical labor involved in creating multiples. That star, a small gesture in a vast sky, feels so hopeful. Kawase reminds us that even in the darkest night, there is always a glimmer of light, an invitation to dream. Painting is a conversation, a back-and-forth across time. We borrow, steal, and transform, adding our own experiences to the mix.