Shinzaburo Takahashi paints poetic expressions of reality. Japan’s landscapes and architecture shine with magical auras, cherry blossoms glow in warm lighting, and snow covered branches reach upward to clear skies. Inspired by Ikuo Hirayama—a celebrated artist of nihonga, traditional Japanese-style paintings—among many others, Takahashi began creating works that emulated the paintings of his countrymen. Nihonga are typically painted on washi, Japanese paper, using various brushes to apply a precisely measured mixture of pigment and nikawa gelatin. Takahashi’s artwork depicts the beauty of the four seasons of Japan, while incorporating the time-honored materials and painting style of his predecessors. Contains five each of the following notecards: Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto, Japan, 2004, Hirosaki Castle, Aomori, Japan, 2006, Yakushiji Temple in Distance View, Nara, Japan, 2002, Winter in Kakunodate, Akita, Japan, 2006