Ame no Hi no Orusuban (Staying Home Alone on a Rainy Day)

Author: Chihiro Iwasaki; Idea: Yasoo Takeichi; Shiko-sha, 1969
This work depicts the loneliness and wavering feelings of a girl who is staying home alone. The theme is tied to Chihiro's own childhood recollection. The paintings illustrate the girl's emotions symbolically, eliminating explanatory elements as much as possible. For this reason, instead of painting the fine details, Chihiro created dynamic and bold compositions using thick brushes she rarely used before, and at times, painting from a standing position.