Kamisaka Sekka
The print we present today comes from a set of three woodblock-printed albums and highlights the assured graphic style of Kamisaka Sekka. The designs were first issued individually to subscribers before being gathered and republished in book form for a broader market, as in the present example. Each image presents a concise vignette drawn from nature or from well-known episodes in Japanese literature. Many of these subjects have deep roots, going back to the 10th and 11th centuries, and had long been part of Japan’s shared visual vocabulary.
Sekka’s choices reflect a close engagement with the Rinpa tradition (a Japanese artistic movement) established by Tawaraya Sōtatsu and Hon'ami Kōetsu. The flattened forms, strong silhouettes, and emphasis on decorative pattern echo their example, while his simplified compositions and bold use of space give the images a distinctly modern clarity.
We have a treat for you today ... we’ve just launched a brand-new postcard set dedicated entirely to cute and charming animals in Japanese art; this masterpiece is part of the collection! :)
P.S. Discover 10 captivating Japanese woodblock prints!