Kwannon

Kwannon — the bodhisattva of compassion, known in Sanskrit as Avalokitesvara and in Japanese as Kannon — was among the most beloved figures in Japanese Buddhist devotion. Kawano's depiction draws on a long tradition of Kannon imagery in Japanese art, but filters it through the sosaku-hanga aesthetic: bold outlines, flat areas of color, and the direct expressiveness of the self-carved block. The figure radiates serenity and spiritual presence, reflecting Kawano's deep engagement with Buddhist themes throughout his career.