Tsuzen Nakajima's woodblock prints trigger memories in the same way certain melodies or particular scenes may whisk us back to pleasant moments of the past. Nakajima depicts the landscapes of Japan and often uses geta, Japanese umbrellas or tatami rooms as his subjects, complementing those backgrounds perfectly and enhancing a uniquely Japanese feeling.
The subtle use of color, especially the shades of green and blue, stands out in his work. Touches of bright red provide accents, while the delicately carved lines convey tranquility.
Although Nakajima, 55, has lived in Tokyo all his life, his work focuses mainly on nature and the four seasons in Japan, as well as images from his childhood memories. For spring, cherry blossoms, new bamboo shoots and fresh green; for summer, fireflies, morning glories and cicadas. The autumn motifs are falling leaves, while plum trees and camellia blossoms dominate the winter landscapes. Mount Fuji and its seasonal changes is one of his favorite subjects.