Cicada

A cicada perches on a buckeye tree in this striking yet minimalist composition. The simplicity of the scene enhances its impact, drawing the viewer’s attention to the insect with an almost meditative focus. In a 1931 issue of Sokoku, a Japanese art magazine, the author of today's painting remarked, "Elements like coldness or the atmosphere of a frosty morning are difficult to express in a painting. We can only depict form, and by accumulating forms, we evoke feeling, sense, and atmosphere." This work visually embodies that philosophy.  

The composition, devoid of unnecessary detail, directs the viewer’s gaze straight to the cicada. The upward-reaching trunk and the downward-facing leaves create a subtle interplay of movement and balance, reinforcing the painting’s sense of quiet coolness and evoking the crisp air of a tranquil morning.

Seiju Omoda was a Japanese painter who played a crucial role in shaping the evolution of nihonga (a Japanese style of painting that uses mineral pigments, and occasionally ink, on silk or paper) during the Taishō and early Shōwa periods, a time when the genre was embracing new forms of artistic expression. Born in the heart of Kawagoe—now renowned as the "City of Storehouses"—Omoda moved to Tokyo at 17. His artistic journey took a decisive turn when he joined the revitalized Japan Art Institute Exhibition, leading him to develop a distinct and resolute painterly style. Just as his career was gaining momentum, however, his health deteriorated, and he passed away at the young age of 41.  

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