The artwork titled “Self-Portrait at Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto” was created by artist Hasui Kawase in the year 1933. As a prominent figure in the Shin-hanga art movement, Kawase’s work often reflects a rejuvenation of traditional Japanese art influenced by Western styles and formats. The genre of this particular piece is classified as a self-portrait.
The artwork depicts a tranquil evening scene at the Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto, which is grooved by the soft, all-pervasive shades of blue that engulf the composition, suggesting the onset of dusk. The temple’s wooden structures are elegantly portrayed with delicate architectural details, and the wooden balcony in the foreground leads the viewer’s eye towards a figure, possibly the artist himself, standing contemplatively beside another person. Their silhouettes are gracefully outlined against the ambient glow of the temple’s interior lights.
Amid the serene atmosphere, a luminous moon hangs in the sky, accompanied by an arrangement of stars, underscoring the harmony between nature and the sanctuary of the temple. The temple is famed for its expansive views, and the artwork skillfully captures the majesty of the surrounding landscape with shadowy mountain silhouettes in the distance. Traditional Japanese trees lightly interrupt the temple’s open veranda, providing a natural counterpoint to the human-made elegance of the architecture.
While not a literal self-portrait, the title suggests that the artwork conveys a personal reflection of the artist, inviting viewers to share in the moment of peaceful introspection amidst the historic and natural beauty of Kiyomizu Temple.
