Autumn

Dated October 1954, Autumn is a woodblock print executed in ink and color on paper, created during the period when Chizuko Yoshida was establishing her independent artistic voice within the Yoshida family's printmaking tradition. The title ties the work to a specific season, but Chizuko's approach to seasonal subjects differs markedly from the literal landscapes of her father-in-law Hiroshi Yoshida. Rather than depicting identifiable autumn scenery, she likely translates the feeling of the season into abstract or semi-abstract forms: the weight of ripened things, the warmth of fading light, the crispness of cooling air. The woodblock technique of layering transparent inks over [washi](/glossary/washi) paper gives these atmospheric qualities a physical presence, each color impression adding depth to the seasonal meditation.