Hunting Expedition

The title means spring-time hunting. Two women, one riding a white horse and the other a black horse, are in haste to go hunting. Insho, who traveled to China almost every year toward the end of the Taisho era, must have been attracted to Chinese history and culture. The two women seem to be from ancient China. The peach tree in front of the robust white horse adds a seasonal touch, while the way that the women smile as they ride, with their clothes floating in the spring wind, creates a mysterious ambiance. The restrained colors and lines perfect the pristine elegance of this painting.