Sekino Jun'ichiro: The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido

SWS Traveling

September 1978

April 1982

"For hundreds of years Japanese artists have cultivated the art of the woodblock print, which came from China. Toward the end of the 19th century the workshop production of prints declined, and with the 20th century, a new movement called sosaku hanga, or "creative prints," emerged. In sosaku hanga the artists not only make the designs, but may also become involved in the carving and printing, which had previously been done by artisans. Sekino Jun'ichirô, born in 1914, is one of the leading artists of this movement. His prints, which range freely over traditional as well as new Japanese themes, exhibit invigorating freshness. No better example of his talents can be found than this series of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido, for which he received Japan's Ministry of Education Award for outstanding accomplishment. Centuries of Japanese artists have depicted the stations, or rest stops, along the Tokaido - the heavily traveled, scenic, and adventuresome road along the eastern seaboard between Tokyo and Kyoto. The most famous of these artists in the 19th century was Ando Hiroshige, and Sekino sometimes pays homage to this master by using similar scenes. He also refers to modern art movements in Europe, such as impressionism, expressionism, and abstraction; however, his style is unmistakably his own. Sekino demonstrates complete mastery of the color woodblock process through which he captures the essentials of the Japanese countryside and documents the recent changes that have occurred there. Early in his career Sekino devoted himself to oil painting and earned a living by etching illustrations for books. Later he opened a graphics studio at his home in Tokyo where he helped promising artists. During the last 25 years his prints have been exhibited and collected internationally, bringing him popular recognition. This series of 55 landscapes and town scenes, which took 15 years to complete, forms a monument to Sekino's mature insights and skills and reaches a new pinnacle among Japanese woodblock prints. Individual prints are available for purchase for approximately $85.00, depending on the exchange rate between Japanese and American currencies. For further information about sales please contact Yoko and Robert McClain at 2380 Spring Boulevard, Eugene, Oregon, 97403. 55 works, in metal frames with plexiglass, each measuring approximately 26" x 20". 3 crates, 450 pounds. Available through March 1980"

SEKINO Jun'ichirô 関野準一郎