After Sea Bathing

Okubo Sakujiro was fond of depicting figures under bright outdoor light, in a style that exemplified the plein-air painting movement. Here there is an invigorating contrast between the cobalt blue sea dotted with white sailboats and the sunlit pink sand, while sunlight filtering through the trees onto the figures’ yukata (casual kimono) and obi sashes enriches the handling of light. The location is believed to be the seaside at Katsuura, Chiba. The expressions of people in shadow convey pleasant fatigue from a day spent at the beach. Okubo had a spectacular debut with three consecutive special selections at the Bunten (exhibition sponsored by the Ministry of Education), beginning with the 10th edition in 1916 while he was a student at Tokyo Fine Arts School. this painting, shown at the Bunten in 1917, showcases the young Okubo’s remarkable technical proficiency and vibrant sensibility. (M.N.)