This shikishi print depicts 「神戸港 (Kōbe Port)」, created by Kunio Isara 伊砂久二雄, and captures the harbor city in a bold, modern graphic style. The composition looks out across the calm waters of the port at dusk, where the skyline of Kobe is rendered in simplified geometric silhouettes, glowing in warm reds and oranges against a deepening blue sky.
The harbor comes alive with ferries and ships gliding across the water, their reflections subtly shimmering on the surface. The contrast between the cool purples and blues of the sea and the warm tones of the city creates a strong sense of depth and time—suggesting the gentle transition from day to night.
The framing bands at the top and bottom, with their textured, stone-like pattern, give the work a distinctive shikishi presence, anchoring the image as both a collectible artwork and a decorative object. Characteristic of Isago Hisao’s design sensibility, the print blends mid-century graphic clarity with a lyrical view of urban life, transforming Kobe Port into an iconic, almost timeless landscape.
This shikishi is not just a cityscape, but a celebration of Kobe’s identity as an international harbor—open, luminous, and quietly dynamic—making it an evocative piece for admirers of Japanese modern design and port cities alike.
