Long Necks

One of Kawano's most recognized compositional themes, 'Long Necks' depicts two or more female figures whose elongated necks are the defining formal element. The exaggerated neck length draws on a convention in classical [bijin-ga](/glossary/bijin-ga) — particularly in the work of Utamaro — while Kawano reinterprets the motif through the expressionist carving approach of the [sosaku-hanga](/glossary/sosaku-hanga) movement. The figures are typically presented in close proximity, their heads inclined toward or away from one another, creating a rhythmic, near-symmetrical arrangement. Kawano's direct block-cutting produces thick, decisive outlines that contain flat or gently graduated areas of color, often warm ochres, reds, and blacks against a pale [washi](/glossary/washi) background. This print represents an early or standard edition of the composition before it was adapted into the [oban](/glossary/oban)-format limited editions that followed.