Momiji-gari, from the series "Pictures of No Performances (Nogaku Zue)" 1898

Tsukioka Kôgyo created "Momiji-gari" as part of his "Pictures of No Performances" series. The woodblock print features a theatrical scene dominated by vertical elements: the hanging curtain on the right and the figure of a man in elaborate garb on the left. These forms create a strong sense of enclosure, focusing our attention on the interplay between revelation and concealment. Kôgyo's strategic use of patterning and texture creates a visual tension within the composition. The dark curtain, adorned with a subtle floral design, contrasts with the geometric patterns on the performer's costume. This contrast introduces a visual code that may allude to the complex layers of meaning found within Noh theater. The lone figure in the lower right, kneeling with a sword, disrupts the symmetry, suggesting a narrative element of confrontation or anticipation. By creating a semiotic structure that demands interpretation, the artist challenges us to see beyond the aesthetic surface.