Running Horses, #2 1958

Editor: Here we have Tadashi Nakayama's "Running Horses, #2" from 1958, a vibrant woodcut print. The use of colour is really striking; a blue, black, and red horse beneath geometric shapes. It feels both modern and ancient at the same time. What historical or cultural significance do you see in this piece? Curator: Nakayama’s work definitely occupies an interesting space, negotiating tradition and modernity. The influence of *ukiyo-e*, the Japanese woodblock print tradition, is quite visible. Consider the flattening of space and the bold outlines. However, he abstracts forms and uses a distinctly modern colour palette. How do you think this tension would have been received in postwar Japan? Editor: I hadn't considered its reception in postwar Japan! Maybe it was seen as a rejection of tradition, or perhaps a celebration of it in a new light? The abstraction reminds me of European modernism, too. Curator: Precisely! Think about Japan’s complex relationship with the West during that period. There was a strong desire to both embrace and redefine its own cultural identity after the war. Nakayama's geometric abstraction is indeed evocative of European movements like Cubism, filtered through a Japanese sensibility. In fact, notice that despite the modern abstraction, he chose horses - which, throughout Japanese art history, can symbolize power, good fortune, and even war. What is Nakayama saying about Japanese cultural identity, using such traditional subject matter? Editor: So, the horses are traditional symbols viewed through a modern lens? Maybe he's acknowledging the past while pushing towards the future? It seems he's encouraging viewers to think about Japan's evolving role in the world. Curator: Exactly! By understanding the social and political landscape of postwar Japan and how that shapes cultural production, this colorful print gives us a glimpse into Japan's struggle to redefine its cultural position. Editor: That really helps me to understand Nakayama’s vision and layers of meaning embedded within it. Thank you!