Two woodblock prints by Kamisaka Sekka (1866 – 1942)

Two woodblock prints, hand printed from designs by Kamisaka Sekka.  One represents a two-wheeled Palace carriage at rest in front of a screen with diagonal patterns.  Large clusters of plum blossoms overhang the screen.  An inscription in gold reading Oshukubai (nightingale) adorns the screen.  The other shows a two-part fence with a weeping willow behind (yanagi Sakura).  In the far distance, a flowing stream can be seen.

The two woodblock prints are from the album “A Thousand Grasses” (Chigusa), designed by Kamisaka Sekka in 1899-1900 and re-printed in 1903. Kamisaka Sekka was an important artistic figure in early 20th century Japan. Born in Kyoto to a Samurai family, his talents for art and design were recognized early.  He eventually allied himself with the traditional Rinpa school of art.  He is considered the last great proponent of this artistic tradition.  Sekka also made designs in a variety of other media, including lacquer.  In this last category his designs were mostly executed by one of his younger brothers, Yukichi.

1899年或1903年/神坂雪佳作木版画两幅

此二幅木版画由神坂雪佳设计并亲自进行手工印刷。一幅描绘了一架日本宫廷马车于大簇梅花之下停靠于院墙之前的宁静场景，院墙由黄蓝二色组成，于马车的棕绿色以及梅花的粉色对比鲜明，画面颇具层次感以及纵深感。画面一角点缀 “夜莺” 两个金字；另一副画则以棕、白、蓝为主要色调，描绘了院门之外柳樱花悄然盛开的场景，远处则以青金蓝描绘了一角溪流。神坂雪佳是日本上世纪重要艺术家，其1866年出生于京都的一个武士家庭，美术方面的开蒙较早，主要学习日本琳派绘画，晚年被誉为“琳派余晖”。其擅长多媒介创作，其漆画亦极为出众。