Page 38 - Designing_Nature_The_Rinpa_Aesthetic_in_Japanese_Art Metropolitan Museum PUB

Figs. 9, 10 Kamisaka sekka (1866 – 1942). “puppies” (Enokoro) and “rice paddies in Hundred Worlds (Momoyogusa), which represents the cul-
spring” (Haru no tanomo), from Flowers of a Hundred Worlds (Momoyogusa), mination of his accomplishments as a designer of deluxe
Meiji period (1868 – 1912), 1910. fig. 9: from a set of three woodblock-printed
books (vol. 2, 1910). fig. 10: single-sheet print from same blocks as book. ink woodblock-printed books. In sixty brilliantly colored and
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and color on paper; 8 /8 ∞ 11 /8 in. (22.5 ∞ 30.2 cm). Collection of Jeffrey W. meticulously printed illustrations, Sekka distilled the entire
pollard and ooi-thye Chong
Rinpa pictorial repertoire, interpreting traditional themes
in a thoroughly modern mode. The title of the volume
is an ancient poetic name for chrysanthemums, and the
Sekka transform the familiar landscape of Japan into preface is a poem on chrysanthemums written and brushed

abstract tableaux with special coloristic poignancy. by the noted Kyoto physician and poet Sugawa nobuyuki
In A Thousand Grasses Sekka evokes ancient literary (1839 – 1917). The poem suggests that even though Sekka’s
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and artistic traditions, as in the image titled “Three illustrations capture the glory of the poetic images, whose
Evenings” (Sanseki), referring to three famous waka poems seeds were planted in the past, they also reflect the pro-

of medieval times on nocturnal themes (fig. 7). The artist gressive attitude of the times:
proposes an imaginary meeting of famous poets of different
eras, including the itinerant monk-poet Saigyō (left), the Susumi-yuku As we move forward
famous court poet and literary arbiter Fujiwara no Teika kokoro o tane no in the spirit of the new age,

(center), and the high-ranking monk Jakuren (right), who momoyogusa “flowers of a hundred worlds”
are juxtaposed against colorful poem cards (shikishi) much iroka mo koto ni sown by seed, now blossom
like those that the calligraphers of old would have used to hana saki ni keri in distinctive colors and scents.
inscribe such verses. Another page illustrates a handscroll

monochrome (hakubyō) partially unfurled (fig. 8). Included in the opening volume of the Momoyogusa is designing nature
Almost a decade later, Sekka undertook the design an illustration inspired by ogata Kōrin’s iconic painting
of an even grander illustrated book project, Flowers of a Rough Waves, which Sekka memorialized in a dramatic

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