Spring Wind

Born in Fukuoka City, Yokoo Hogetsu moved to Tokyo and studied under renowned bijinga (“pictures of beautiful women”) artists Ikeda Terukata and Ito Shinsui. In addition to being active in the mainstream art world, he participated in forming the groups Seikinkai and Nichigetsusha. In his later years he lived in Chiba City, and showed his works at the Chiba Prefectural Exhibition. This painting features a figure on the left side of an open folding screen, with a large blank space on the right and some cherry blossoms that appear to be beckoning the figure. The central seam of the screen effectively accentuates the disorder of the clothing as the figure moves forward against the wind, struggling to keep garments and hair under control. The fluttering hem of the kimono and the scattering cherry petals create a sense of motion throughout the composition. This reflects the influence of the artist’s teacher, Terukata, on this work, which exudes elegance and emotion. (J.A.)