Midsummer Harbor

This work was shown in the 13th Teiten (Imperial Art Exhibition) in 1932. The woman sitting on the rail of the balcony is wearing the very latest in fashion from her lace dress, hat, shoes and umbrella down to her accessories. The town she is looking down upon, although depicted in pale colors, is painted with great detail. The large ship in the harbor, the western-style buildings and cars, the people inside the teashop, the person using an electric fan, all of these depict the way in which Western culture had entered into the scenery of Yokohama and demonstrate the Japanese infatuation with modern lifestyles. The design of the dress or the glass on the table show the influence of Art Deco that was transmitted to Japan during this period.
YAMADA Kisaku was born in Tokyo, and studied under KABURAKI Kiyokata after having won design competition held by Toppan Printing Co. Ltd. He also studied under ITO Shinsui. In 1931 he was selected to take part in the 12th Teiten, the first time he had shown in the Teiten, with his work ‘Shonan Shoka’ (‘Early Summer at Shonan’ - in the collection of the Iwami Art Museum), which depicted the holiday resort of Zushi in Kanagawa Prefecture. His painting uses bright colors and minute detail to depict women enjoying a modern lifestyle.