White Chrysanthemums (Kiku no Kaori) - Kajita Hanko

A serene woodblock print by Kajita Hanko depicting a woman in a moment of quiet contemplation with chrysanthemums.

Kajita Hanko, a painter and printmaker active during the Meiji period, produced this work in the bijin-ga style, which focuses on the depiction of beautiful women. The composition features a woman in a quiet, contemplative moment, holding a single white chrysanthemum to her nose. Her posture is relaxed, suggesting a scene of domestic leisure or seasonal appreciation. The background is filled with a cluster of yellow chrysanthemums, which provide a soft, decorative contrast to the muted tones of her kimono.

The print demonstrates the technical precision associated with Japanese woodblock printing of the early twentieth century. The lines defining the woman's features and the folds of her garment are fine and controlled, reflecting the artist's training in traditional Nihonga painting techniques. The colour palette is restrained, relying on soft yellows, greys, and earthy browns to create a sense of calm. The use of negative space around the figure allows the viewer to focus on the interaction between the subject and the flower.

This work belongs to the broader tradition of Japanese printmaking that sought to maintain classical aesthetic values while incorporating subtle shifts in perspective and shading. Hanko was known for his ability to capture transient expressions and atmospheric qualities, a skill evident in the gentle tilt of the woman's head and the soft rendering of the floral background. The print serves as a representative example of the transition between traditional ukiyo-e and the emerging shin-hanga movement, which aimed to revitalise the medium through collaboration between artists, carvers, and printers. The focus here remains on the quiet beauty of the subject, presented without unnecessary ornamentation or dramatic narrative, allowing the viewer to appreciate the balance of form and colour.