Fisherman 1904

Kanae Yamamoto's 'Fisherman' is a woodcut, a print, and the lack of a specific date only adds to its timeless quality. The carving itself has a real presence; each mark is decisive, like Yamamoto knew exactly where he wanted to go with each cut. The fisherman’s patterned coat is an amazing combination of sharp lines, creating a strange harmony between abstraction and representation. I’m drawn to the way the woodcut renders the background. The sky isn’t just a flat wash, but a series of short, energetic strokes that suggest movement, maybe wind or approaching rain. It’s simple, but so effective. It reminds me a little of the German Expressionist woodcuts of the time. There’s a similar interest in raw, emotional expression through the medium. It’s like looking at a snapshot of a feeling, carved in wood. And isn't that what we all want our art to do?