Geese Homing at Katada c. 1900 - 1930

Utagawa Hiroshige made this print, *Geese Homing at Katada*, using woodblock on paper. Look at that sky! It’s like it has been smudged with pink and yellow chalk. I can imagine Hiroshige carefully carving each bird into the woodblock, and then layering the ink to create that sense of depth as they fly home. You know, the act of carving itself is so methodical and thoughtful, like a meditation. There's a calmness to this piece, the soft blues of the water, the distant mountains... It makes me think about the balance between precision and spontaneity, control and letting go. How did he achieve this sense of spaciousness and movement, all from a flat surface? It’s a reminder that art isn’t just about what you see but also about the feeling it evokes. It's like he's inviting us to pause, breathe, and consider our place in the world.