ASAI, Chu(1856-1907)
Kotaba Village
1893
Oil on canvas
26.8×38.9cm

In October of 1893, Asai married Yasuko, younger sister of Naoshi Tatsumi, clansman of the former Sakura clan. Though small in size, this "Kotaba Village", which was produced in the same month, workmanship of brushstrokes which are full of confidence. He was 37 at the time, and after founding the Meiji Art Society together with his schoolmates at the School of Art in the Technological College, he had established his style and a place to exhibit his works.

The method of placing trees in the mid-distance and accentuating it by the human interest and small items under the eaves was something he had learned from his teacher Fontanesi. The stable composition, obtained by having the country road draw a gentle curve in a picture surface divided in two by the horizontal line of the eaves, and the bright colors have made this work into a rural landscape which reflect the artist's talent and sensitiveness.

Kotaba Village in the Musashi area has been sketched many times by the artist during his travel from Oku-tama to Kosyu, and several other works in watercolor and pastel remain.

(Toru Arayashiki)