"Kusamakura" by Natsume Sōseki

This light travelogue follows an artist/poet passing few peaceful days at a remote mountain inn where he hones his impressions of the floating world. He meets people, including the beautiful daughter of the innkeeper, Nami, as well as local villagers, priests, and others, goes on hikes, and composes poems (though notably doesn't paint). Kusamakura is remarkable for its expression of self-hood seen through aesthetic sensibility -- a cycle of perceptions followed by impressions followed by reflections. A paragon of an artistic identity.