Bamboo

This print belongs to a group of related bamboo compositions Kotozuka produced over his career, each exploring a distinct arrangement or palette. In this version, the emphasis is likely on the graphic interplay of the culms' segmented joints and the fan-like spray of leaves above. Bamboo was prized in traditional Japanese art for both its symbolic resonance — evoking resilience and flexibility — and its formal properties as a subject. Kotozuka would have printed this on dampened [washi](/glossary/washi), pressing color blocks with a [baren](/glossary/baren) to achieve even ink coverage on the textured paper surface. The subtle grain of the washi contributes to the muted, naturalistic quality of the foliage tones, distinguishing the print from more highly saturated commercial designs of the period.