Cover for Little Fan by Yosano Akiko 1904

Fujishima Takeji’s design for the cover of Yosano Akiko's “Little Fan” uses blocks of color to define the main character's features. I imagine Takeji carefully carving the woodblocks, and methodically applying the paint to each section. Just look at how the fan in the character’s hand is rendered with such striking red lines, and the subtle way the artist captures a sense of depth. It’s like the red radiates, drawing your eye right in! I wonder if the artist wanted to capture a specific kind of light or emotion? Was he trying to tell a story with the limited information he provides? It's amazing how much feeling and meaning can be conveyed through a few shapes and colours. I find myself thinking about other painters that have used a similar process, like the bold expressiveness of Henri Matisse’s paper cut-outs, each artist conversing across time. I imagine it's a playful act of call and response.