Jun'ichiro Sekino, 1914-1988

Izaka, Anabara

a snowy landscape with mica highlights, signed and dated in pencil Junichiro Sekino 1947 with artist's red seal Jun, numbered 10/30

41.2 by 30.2 cm

Sekino was from Aomori, the hometown of Shiko Munakata (1903-1975), who he knew from his youth as "charismatic painter a few years his senior" (Merritt, p. 133). Sekino studied various types of printmaking with different artists, most notably with Onchi Koshiro (1891-1955), an early leader in the sosaku hanga movement, who is sometimes cited as a teacher (more likely an influential friend) of Munakata.

Sekino exhibited with the Nihon Hanga Kyokai (Japan Print Association) from 1932, during the same period that Munakata was a member, and joined the organization in 1938 (the year Munakata left). They were both members of Kokugakai (National Picture Association) which established a print section in 1931. Munakata was a member from 1932 to 1953; Sekino from 1940.

This rare print (from an edition of only 30 impressions) is a subtle and early work by the artist, produced before he devoloped his later style with an emphasis on bold colors and detailed, exagerated portraits.

Reference:
Merritt, Helen, and Yamada, Nanako, Guide to Modern Japanese Woodblock Prints: 1900-1975, 1992, p. 133

SOLD