Woodblock Print by Gekko Ogata: Procession to Temple (From the Series Zuihitsu)

Red robes cross the courtyard in single file, and nobody is in a hurry.

Procession To Temple, from the series Zuihitsu, is a woodblock print by Gekko Ogata, 1859-1920, from Japan, dated 1897, in ink on paper. Gekko was largely self-taught and admired for soft, painterly tones that set his work apart from the sharper prints of his day. Robed figures in red and white climb stone steps toward a gilded gate with a sweeping black roof. Tall pines rise behind in grey green, and purple curtains bearing white crests line the court. A cartouche and title panel sit at upper right. It is 9.9 inches wide and 14.5 high.

Gekko made walking slowly look like the whole point.