Wakakusa

This print was created following a moment of disorientation and hesitation. In search for comfort, I pulled out a fond memory of sitting on top of the Wakakusa mountain in Nara (Japan). I spontaneously started carving the wood without elaborating a detailed sketch. I remembered looking down at the world spreading out beneath, gazing at the horizon, the grasses lightly fluttering in the wind. Just like my mind was unclogged back then, a serene feeling settled in. The title, 若草 Wakakusa, literally means ‘young grass’ in Japanese. It stands for fresh starts and new energy. The artwork is a reminder to take the time to step back, view things from a distance, reconnect with nature, and  walk on.

The choice of using solely black bokugū ink for this print was taken to emphasize the need to focus on the essential, to simplify, and to shut out any distractions.

Title: 若草 Wakakusa 
Limited edition of 24 prints
Size: 16 x 21 cm (artwork) 19 x 25 cm (paper)
Original woodblock print 木版画 mokuhanga using bokujū ink, hand-printed using a baren from 1 hand-carved wood block
Paper: Japanese hosho washi
Created: 2025