Spring in the Ancient Capital Kyoto (No.1)

In No. 1, an ōharame woman is pictured. Ōharame women came from Ōhara, Kyoto, carrying firewood on their heads to sell in the then-capital Kyoto. The bundle of branches she holds extends across the canvas from left to right, cascading downward and lending a sense of balance to the image. Gold paint is scattered throughout, creating the impression of flowers glistening in spring sunlight while a single black swallowtail butterfly flies past. The bright colors on the woman’s sash and the pink flowers in the bundle of wood stand out beautifully against the paler color palette.