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Clouds Over Mizuki Town, Ibaraki Prefecture 1941

Art Appreciation

This evocative woodblock print captures a quiet coastal village from a descending street leading directly to a sandy beach, where gentle waves meet the horizon under a calm sky. Traditional wooden houses with tiled roofs line both sides of the street, their dark tones sharply contrasting with the vibrant blues of the sea and sky beyond. The scene is imbued with a serene stillness, drawn with fine, meticulous lines that reveal textures in the stone path, weathered wood, and delicate clouds. The presence of two small human figures near the shore adds a sense of scale and subtle narrative, inviting viewers to imagine the rhythms and stories of village life.

Artistically, this work showcases masterful use of perspective and layering, guiding the eye down the slope towards the sea while balancing intricate details with broader compositions. The color palette is muted yet realistic, dominated by earth tones and deep blues that evoke the freshness of the coastal air and hint at an approaching, possibly stormy sky—reflected in the subtle gradation in cloud forms. This print, created in 1941, stands as a poignant reminder of Japan’s scenic beauty amidst an era shadowed by war, offering a moment of contemplative tranquility. Its delicate balance of natural and architectural elements reveals the artist’s deep appreciation for everyday landscapes, preserving them with a timeless, almost poetic stillness.

Clouds Over Mizuki Town, Ibaraki Prefecture 1941

Hasui Kawase

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Created:

1941

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Dimensions:

3852 × 2817 px

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