Sea and Sunshine

The Showa period saw new trends in Western-style painting in Japan as the painters of the day incorporated ideas from the new trends of the West. Migishi absorbed the trends of this age as he changed his own painting style, becoming one of the painters who forged a new avant-garde painting style in Japan. This work was painted right before Migishi's early death at the age of 31. Sea, sky, sandy beach, shells and a nude woman with face hidden are rhythmically arranged in simplified forms, painted in a strange, light palette. The deep shadows on the beach speak of the blinding light of the sun. The still arrangement gives the image a daydream-like feel. This work with its magical, poetic feel is a good example of the influence of Surrealism on Migishi in his later years.