Rode kraag 1928

Yamakawa Shuho made this print, Rode kraag, using the technique of woodblock printing. Imagine how the artist transferred the drawing to the block, considering the registration of multiple blocks for each colour! I imagine that Shuho thought deeply about the tension between flatness and depth. The woman's hairstyle seems to emerge from the page, while the rest of the image remains flat. It’s almost as if she is peering around a corner. Isn’t it strange how a single line can carry so much meaning? Notice how the gentle curve of the neck contrasts with the sharp angles of the kimono. It’s as if Shuho wants to invite us to consider the geometry of the human form. I wonder if Morimura Yasumasa saw this print? The female figure in Japanese art and culture is an ongoing theme for so many artists. It's a bit like a remix in music, where each artist interprets a familiar tune in their own way. What a conversation!