Namazu 1906

This woodblock print, "Namazu" was made by Utagawa Hiroshige, sometime before 1858. The hazy blues and greys are laid down in blocks, like a cloudy memory. It reminds me of when I silkscreen, layering colors, but the registration is slightly off. The surface is pretty flat, without much texture. Look at the tall, thin trees lining the path. Each one is made up of these delicate, dark strokes, like calligraphy. They punctuate the landscape, creating a rhythm that leads your eye through the scene. But what really grabs me is that figure with the giant red nose. It’s cartoonish, almost grotesque, yet it fits right in. Maybe it’s a reference to kabuki theatre? Whatever it is, it adds a layer of surrealness, hinting at the possibility of other worlds. I'm reminded of Hokusai, especially his landscapes. But Hiroshige has this unique way of blending the everyday with the fantastical. It’s like he’s saying, "Don’t take things too seriously, folks. Art is here to embrace the weirdness of life!"