Man Looking Back
- Date:
- 1957
- Medium:
- Woodblock print, ink and color on paper
- Dimensions:
- 70.5 × 48.9 cm
- Edition:
- Self-printed
- Source:
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
Description
Man Looking Back from 1957 shows the mountain figure caught in the backward glance—the moment of pausing in forward movement to assess what has been left behind, the valley below, the route already climbed. The backward look in mountain imagery carries multiple meanings: the climber checking the descent route, the figure acknowledging where they came from, or the more emotional register of reluctance to leave. Azechi's bold, simplified figure captures this threshold gesture with characteristic directness.
More Prints by Umetaro Azechi
![Untitled [portrait of a boy] by Umetaro Azechi](https://1.api.artsmia.org/800/136025.jpg)
More Landscapes Prints
Lake Kugushi in Wakasa Province (Wakasa Kugushiko), from the series Souvenirs of Travel I (Tabi miyage dai isshu)"
Wakasa Kugushiko
1920
Color woodblock print; oban
Autumn Maple Leaves at Takao, from the album Eight Views of Kyoto (Kyôto hakkei)
Woodblock print
The Beach at Kaiganji in Sanuki Province (Sanuki Kaiganji no hama), from the series "Collection of Views of Japan II, Kansai Edition (Nihon fukei shu II Kansai hen)"
1934
Color woodblock print; oban
Tea Kettle, section of a sheet from the series "Mirror of Stone Rubbings of Views of the Provinces" (Kohon meihitsu ishizuri kagami)
n.d.
Woodblock print; ishizuri-e, section of harimaze sheet
Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Man Looking Back was created by Umetaro Azechi (畦地梅太郎) in 1957.
Man Looking Back depicts landscapes, figures, and mountains.
Man Looking Back measures 70.5 × 48.9 cm.