Klimop Possibly 1909

Kamisaka Sekka created this print, Klimop, without a known date, using woodblock printing techniques. The image is composed of muted greens, oranges, and pinks, which create a sense of calm against the beige background. I can imagine Sekka carefully carving the woodblocks, each cut a deliberate act of translation from observation to form. He probably thought about Japanese artistic traditions while making it: the simplification of natural forms, the balance between detail and suggestion. The lines almost seem to want to break free, to keep on growing and expanding, much like ivy. I feel this piece has echoes of Hokusai, with its focus on nature, and a decorative elegance that nods towards Art Nouveau. It reminds us that all artists stand on the shoulders of those who came before.