Spring Snow

A steep, snow-covered slope is framed by groves of cedars in both the foreground and the background. At the bases of the tall, straight-trunked trees, underbrush pokes up here and there as the snow begins to melt. From 1971 until 1982, Higashiyama Kaii worked on The Mural Paintings at Toshodai-ji Temple. This work completed in 1973, a time when he was also exploring ink painting, beautifully captures the essence of spring in Kyoto using only two colors, blue and white. Born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Higashiyama achieved early recognition at the Teiten (art exhibition of the Imperial Academy) while still a student under Yuki Somei at Tokyo Fine Arts School. After studying in Germany, he returned to Japan, where he primarily exhibited at the Nitten (Japan Fine Arts Exhibition) and was awarded the prestigious Order of Culture. He lived in Ichikawa City. (N.R.)