Evening Rain at Karasaki 1920

Hasui Kawase made this print of Evening Rain at Karasaki, using multiple woodblocks to build up layers of color. It’s amazing to see how this intricate process creates such a tranquil scene. Looking closely, the texture in the tree is mesmerizing. Each leaf is a tiny, deliberate mark, almost vibrating with life. The rain is barely there, yet the whole scene is heavy with it. The color palette is muted – blues, grays, and blacks, but these hues are not flat; they’re layered, creating depth and atmosphere. The light from the buildings in the distance adds a warm contrast, inviting you into the scene. This reminds me of the Hudson River School painters, who also sought to capture the sublime power of nature. But where they used oil paint, Kawase uses ink and wood, making it even more impressive. In the end, it's about seeing and feeling, and letting the ambiguity be part of the experience.