Sonosuke in the role of Koharu 1915

Yamamura Toyonari made this print of Sonosuke as Koharu, and it feels like a fleeting moment, doesn't it? It's all about lines here, the way the curves of the hair contrast with the sharp angles of the kimono. The colors are so flat and bold, but somehow they create depth. Toyonari isn’t trying to hide the process; the woodblock is right there, front and center. Look closely at the grey in the kimono and you can see each mark, each tiny decision. It’s like he's saying, "Here's how it's done." That little red pipe she’s holding becomes the center of the work. It's not just a detail, it's a focal point, drawing your eye and making you wonder what she’s thinking. Reminds me a bit of Utamaro's portraits, but with an added layer of graphic punch. Art is never created in a bubble. This piece is part of a long, fascinating dialogue.