The artwork, titled “Summer in Aizu” by Kiyoshi Saito and created in 1960, belongs to the Sōsaku hanga art movement and falls within the cityscape genre.
This composition features a perspective of a quiet street in Aizu, as viewed through the distinct stylistic lens of Sōsaku hanga. The foreground includes a figure leading an animal, characterized by the bold, flat colors and simplified forms quintessential of this movement. Outlined branches, partially obscuring traditional Japanese buildings, suggest a seasonal context amid the summer setting. The limited, yet deliberate use of color enhances the serene yet structured ambiance of the depicted scene, while the flattened perspective and emphasis on geometric shapes convey an abstract, almost contemplative urban landscape.
