Seven Herbs of Early Spring 1909 - 1910

Kamisaka Sekka made this painting of seven herbs of early spring sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. The image is rendered in flat planes of color – mostly whites and greens – and a few lines describe the subtle modulations of a snow-covered landscape. I can imagine Sekka kneeling close to the earth, quietly observing the first signs of life after a long winter. There is a sense of stillness and anticipation in this work, like holding your breath before exhaling. I wonder if Sekka felt a sense of kinship with these resilient plants, pushing through the cold earth towards the light? There’s a tenderness in the way he depicts each leaf and stem, as though he were tracing their forms with his own hand. I think of artists like Agnes Martin, who also found beauty in simplicity and repetition. Painting is like having a conversation across generations and cultures! I hope this work inspires you to slow down, to pay attention to the small miracles that surround us, and to find joy in the process of creation.