Kamisaka Sekka, 神坂雪佳, 1866-1942.
Sekka Kamisaka was born in Kyoto
and worked as a designer of ornaments. The final master of the Rinpa school of painting (琳派) ,
Sekka also worked in lacquer and in a variety of other media. Sekka was sent to Glascow
to study Western art and craftsmanship. He sought to learn more about the Western
attraction to japonisme, and which elements or facets of Japanese art would be more
attractive to the West. Returning to Japan, he taught at the newly opened Kyoto Municipal
School of Arts and Crafts, experimented with Western tastes, styles, and methods, and
incorporated them into his otherwise traditional Japanese-style works. It is easy to
see this juxtaposition by looking at almost any of his works. While he retains
traditional Japanese subject matter, and some elements of Rinpa painting, the
overall effect is more Western and modern. He uses large swaths of bright colors and
his images seeming on the verge of being patterns rather than realistic pictures of
a subject.
See:
- Helen Merritt and Nanako Yamada. Guide to Modern Japanese Woodblock Prints: 1900-1975 (Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, c1992), p. 52.
- Andreas Marks. Kamisaka Sekka: Rinpa Traditionalist, Modern Designer (Petaluma, CA : Pomegranate, 2012)
The artist made several woodblock albums (ehon 絵本):
- Chigusa ちぐ佐 (A Thousand Grasses) in 1899
- Cho Senshu 蝶千種 (A Thousand Butterflies) in 1903
- Kokkei Zuan 滑稽図案 (Collection of Humorous Designs - ehon album) in 1903
- Momoyogusa 百々世草 (World of Things or Flowers of a Hundred Worlds) in 1909
- 歌仙 (Poems and Pictures) in 1934.
Chigusa ちぐ佐 (A Thousand Grasses)—See the online version of the complete ehon at Chigusa from the University of California's Calisphere.
Creator.Personal Name: Sekka Kamisaka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: black & white flower silhouettes]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: ちぐ佐 (A Thousand Grasses Chigusa); unsigned; original series printed by Yamada Unsodo in 1899, this print is from the second edition release of the album.
Subject: Flowers.
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 14 x 9.25 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka S-6
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Creator.Personal Name: Sekka Kamisaka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: flower silhouettes]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: ちぐ佐 (A Thousand Grasses Chigusa); unsigned; original series printed by Yamada Unsodo in 1899, this print is from the second edition release of the album.
Subject: Flowers.
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 14 x 9.25 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka S-5
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Creator.Personal Name: Kamisaka Sekka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: autumn hillside in full fall colors]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: ちぐ佐 (A Thousand Grasses Chigusa); unsigned; original series printed by Yamada Unsodo in 1899, this print is from the second edition release of the album.
Subject: Landscapes (Representations)
Subject: Autumn.
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 14 x 9.25 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka S-4
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Creator.Personal Name: Kamisaka Sekka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: Autumn flowers (Akigusa)]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: ちぐ佐 (A Thousand Grasses Chigusa); unsigned; original series printed by Yamada Unsodo in 1899, this print is from the second edition release of the album.
Subject: Flowers.
Subject: Autumn.
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 14 x 9.25 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka S-3
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Creator.Personal Name: Kamisaka Sekka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: Maple leaves over a bridge in Takao, near Kyoto]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: ちぐ佐 (A Thousand Grasses Chigusa); unsigned; original series printed by Yamada Unsodo in 1899, this print is from the second edition release of the album.
Subject: Bridges.
Subject: Autumn.
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 14 x 9.25 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka S-6
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Creator.Personal Name: Kamisaka Sekka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: river scene]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: ちぐ佐 (A Thousand Grasses Chigusa); unsigned; original series printed by Yamada Unsodo in 1899, this print is from the second edition release of the album.
Subject: Rivers.
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 14 x 9.75 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka S-8
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Creator.Personal Name: Kamisaka Sekka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: moon rise and grasses]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: ちぐ佐 (A Thousand Grasses Chigusa); unsigned; original series printed by Yamada Unsodo in 1899, this print is from the second edition release of the album.
Subject: Moon.
Subject: Grasses.
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 14 x 9.75 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka S-7
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Creator.Personal Name: Kamisaka Sekka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: flowers]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: ちぐ佐 (A Thousand Grasses Chigusa); unsigned; original series printed by Yamada Unsodo in 1899, this print is from the second edition release of the album.
Subject: Flowers.
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 13 7/8 x 9.5 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka S-9
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Cho Senshu 蝶千種 (A Thousand Butterflies)
Creator.Personal Name: Kamisaka Sekka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: abstract butterflies]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: Cho Senshu 蝶千種 ("A Thousand Butterflies"); unsigned; this print is from an original early 20th century release of the album.
Subject: Butterflies.
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 12 1/2 x 9 3/4 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka S-1
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Creator.Personal Name: Kamisaka Sekka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: abstract butterflies]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: Cho Senshu 蝶千種 ("A Thousand Butterflies"); unsigned; this print is from an original early 20th century release of the album.
Subject: Butterflies.
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 12 1/2 x 9 3/4 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka S-2
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Momoyogusa 百々世草 (World of Things or Flowers of a Hundred Worlds)—See the online version of the complete Momoyogusa from NYPL's Digital Library.
Creator.Personal Name: Kamisaka Sekka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: autumn flowers and hayrick]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print with mica chips from the artist's album: 百々世草 ( Flowers of a Hundred Worlds Momoyogusa); unsigned; original series printed by Yamada Unsodo in 1909, this print is from the second edition release of the album.
Subject: Flowers.
Subject: Autumn.
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 11.75 x 17.5 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka L-5
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Creator.Personal Name: Kamisaka Sekka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: fans]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: 百々世草 ( Flowers of a Hundred Worlds Momoyogusa); unsigned; original series printed by Yamada Unsodo in 1909, this print is from the second edition release of the album.
Subject: Fans (Accessories)
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 11.75 x 17.5 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka L-2
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Creator.Personal Name: Kamisaka Sekka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: spring blossoms]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: 百々世草 ( Flowers of a Hundred Worlds Momoyogusa); unsigned; original series printed by Yamada Unsodo in 1909, this print is from the second edition release of the album.
Subject: Flowers.
Subject: Spring.
Subject: Willows.
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 17.5 x 10.75 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka L-8
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Creator.Personal Name: Kamisaka Sekka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: spring herbs]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: 百々世草 ( Flowers of a Hundred Worlds Momoyogusa); unsigned; original series printed by Yamada Unsodo in 1909, this print is from the second edition release of the album.
Subject: Herbs.
Subject: Spring.
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 17.5 x 10.75 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka L-7
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Creator.Personal Name: Kamisaka Sekka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: autumn scene]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: 百々世草 ( Flowers of a Hundred Worlds Momoyogusa); unsigned; original series printed by Yamada Unsodo in 1909, this print is from the second edition release of the album.
Subject: Autumn.
Subject: Landscapes (Representations)
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 17.5 x 10.75 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka L-4
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Creator.Personal Name: Kamisaka Sekka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: birds in summer grass]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: 百々世草 ( Flowers of a Hundred Worlds Momoyogusa); unsigned; original series printed by Yamada Unsodo in 1909, this print is from the second edition release of the album.
Subject: Birds.
Subject: Rivers.
Subject: Grasses.
Subject: Summer.
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 17.5 x 10.75 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka L-3
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Creator.Personal Name: Kamisaka Sekka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: white heron]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: 百々世草 ( Flowers of a Hundred Worlds Momoyogusa); unsigned; original series printed by Yamada Unsodo in 1909, this print is from the second edition release of the album.
Subject: Herons.
Type: Woodcuts.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 16.5 x 11.75 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka L-6
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.
Creator.Personal Name: Kamisaka Sekka, 1866-1942.
Creator.Role: print-maker
Title: [Untitled: spring blossoms on a two-tone background]
Description: unframed colored woodblock print from the artist's album: 百々世草 ( Flowers of a Hundred Worlds Momoyogusa); unsigned; original series printed by Yamada Unsodo in 1909, this print is from the second edition release of the album.
Subject: Flowers.
Type: Woodcuts.
Subject: Spring.
Style.Period: Modern.
Technique: Prints.
Material.Medium: ink.
Material.Support: paper.
Measurements: 17 1/2 x 10 3/4 in.
Location.Current Repository: private collection, C. J. Campbell (Chicago, Ill.)
ID: Kamisaka Sekka L-1
Rights: C. J. Campbell.
Record Type: work.