De Gion brug te Hondo in Amakusa 1924

This print, _De Gion brug te Hondo in Amakusa_ by Hasui Kawase, is a beautiful example of Japanese woodblock printing. You can almost imagine the artist carefully carving each line and shape into the wood, inking it, and then pressing it onto the paper. I think about the quiet dedication that goes into this form. There’s a bridge hovering over the water, with reflections that make the pillars look like they're dancing, while a figure carrying greens crosses the foreground. I imagine Kawase wanted to capture the feeling of a specific moment, of a certain place. Hasui Kawase shared so much in common with other painters. There’s a deep understanding of how to create an atmosphere using color and tone. It’s not just about depicting a scene, but about conveying a feeling, a mood, and a sense of place. That's what all art does really—creating a space for feeling and for an exchange of ideas across time.