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Winter in Kamigamo, Kyoto

Art Appreciation

In this serene woodblock print, a tranquil winter scene unfolds along the Kamo River in Kyoto, with a village nestling quietly beneath a grand, softly illuminated mountain. The composition is carefully layered: first, the gentle, rippling blue waters of the river; then a stretch of delicate, frosted grasses in shades of golden beige; finally, the tightly clustered traditional thatched-roof and tiled houses with dark blue roofs set against leafless trees rendered in muted purples and browns. Above, a sky painted with soft gradations of blue and grey clouds adds to the winter atmosphere. The simplicity yet richness of details—the texture of the thatch, the gentle outlines of the fields, and the subtle interplay of light and shadow on the mountain—draw the viewer into a quiet moment of nature and rural life.

The artistic technique exemplifies the delicate line work and refined color gradations characteristic of shin-hanga, blending traditional ukiyo-e with elements of Western realism. Kawase's use of a limited but harmonious color palette—turquoise blues, earthy ochres, soft greens—is luminous without overwhelming the scene's peacefulness. The balance between natural forms and manmade structures creates a meditative harmony, evoking a cool, crisp winter day filled with stillness and subtle life. Historically, this print captures a serene snapshot of pre-war Japan's countryside, preserving fleeting moments of everyday beauty with an emotional depth that speaks both to nostalgia and reverence for nature's quiet grandeur.

Winter in Kamigamo, Kyoto

Hasui Kawase

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Created:

1935

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Dimensions:

4408 × 6352 px

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