Bamboo

In this bamboo variant, Kotozuka likely shifts focus to the relationship between the rigid geometry of the stalks and the softer, wind-responsive movement suggested in the leaf clusters. Bamboo foliage in woodblock printing presents a technical challenge — the leaves must read as individual forms while also conveying mass and motion. Kotozuka's approach, shaped by both the shin-hanga tradition and Kyoto craft practice, favored naturalism over the more schematic leaf rendering seen in earlier ukiyo-e. Each color block is carved to align precisely with the key block, and the sequence of printing — typically lighter tones first — builds the final image through layering. The result is a study in restraint, using a limited palette of greens, greys, and earth tones to capture the bamboo's character in a specific moment.