Kozu, Osaka 1924

This is Hasui Kawase’s Kozu, Osaka, a woodblock print made sometime in the early to mid twentieth century. The inky blues and greys make for a nocturne that feels both familiar and distant. I'm reminded of the way Agnes Martin worked with a very limited palette to create paintings that are both visually stunning and deeply contemplative. The surface texture achieved with woodblock printing is unique: the grain of the wood subtly showing through the ink, which is very thinly applied. Look closely at the roof of the building. See the way each tile is defined? It’s a symphony of tiny marks that build to make the whole. This meticulous attention to detail echoes the broader tradition of Japanese art, which emphasizes precision and craft. Thinking about the composition, there's something really special in the way Kawase uses the contrast between light and shadow to create depth and atmosphere. The lone star in the sky, echoed by the lights of the city in the distance, invites us to consider what is knowable.