Kakizaki Bentendo Shrine at Shimoda 1937

Curator: "Kakizaki Bentendo Shrine at Shimoda," a print made in 1937 by Hasui Kawase, master of Shin-Hanga, or New Prints. What do you see first, here? Editor: An atmosphere so still it's almost haunting. The blues are incredibly soothing, but also carry this quiet solitude. It feels like a place meant for contemplation, doesn't it? Curator: Indeed! Hasui had a genius for capturing fleeting moments, ordinary scenes imbued with a sense of melancholic beauty. And remember, these weren't mere copies of reality. Editor: Of course. "Shin-Hanga," while drawing inspiration from the Ukiyo-e tradition, truly embraced impressionistic and individual expression. Look how the light from the moon dances on the water. The artist isn't simply showing us a scene but making us feel it. Curator: The meticulous craft is staggering! Each block carved separately, the subtle gradations of color... it took an entire team to bring these visions to life. I think it evokes a powerful tension: Japan marching relentlessly towards militarization in those years. Editor: It also prompts reflections on cultural preservation and resistance against homogenous state power. The choice to immortalize the beauty of such sacred space, against the backdrop of a looming war, takes on added weight. A very poignant choice. Curator: I agree. You feel transported. In many ways Hasui elevated simple landscape to portraits of a feeling, an experience of the soul. What did this provoke in you? Editor: Something about seeing the steps climbing towards the shrine makes me reflect upon spirituality outside the constraints of orthodox practice. Quiet revolt through devotion. And perhaps Hasui shared such beliefs. Curator: The beauty, the stillness... and it exists alongside history. A reminder to pay attention to how artists speak to us in moments of rapid change, speaking to a different world. Editor: Exactly. A challenge to the notion of objective progress. This artwork offers respite, but also reflection. Powerful combination.