Otsu-e 1909 - 1910

Kamisaka Sekka made this print titled 'Otsu-e'. The figures feel as if they're being dragged across the paper. The ground is tilting, like some weird stage set. The piece reminds me of Japanese folk art. It's all about simple shapes, flat colours, and lines that don't always connect. The figures are outlined in thick ink; they're a bit cartoonish, but there's something about their expressions that feels very real. The colour palette here is super muted – lots of grey, brown and cream tones, so the pops of black and red really jump out at you. Look at the face of the second figure. There's a really beautiful sense of flatness there. I think this work shows how much Sekka was paying attention to the history of art. Think back to earlier Japanese printmakers. He takes their ideas, flips them on their head, and makes something totally new!