Fukuroi: Annual Growth Rings
Item
Title
Fukuroi: Annual Growth Rings
Creator
Junichiro SEKINO
Japanese, 1914–1988
Japanese, 1914–1988
Date
1960
Materials
Woodblock Print
Description
Number 28 from Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido
Sekino here depicts the village of Fukuroi, or "pouch-spring," in Shizuoka Prefecture. Fukuroi and the surrounding areas are known for unbearable summer heat, making this stop on the Tokaido a regular place of rest and restoration for travelers. Previous artists often represented Fukuroi with a spring or rural village motif. In contrast, Sekino's interpretation of this station shows a modern lumberyard, a theme relevant to the craft of woodblock prints.
Sekino visited Penn State in the mid-1960s, a trip arranged by the first Dean of the College of Arts and Architecture, Jules Heller. Sekino demonstrated Japanese woodblock printmaking technique for the students and helped them make prints of their own. The Shobaken family hosted Sekino for dinner at their home on several occasions during his visit, and he offered them this print with a personalized inscription as thanks.
Sekino here depicts the village of Fukuroi, or "pouch-spring," in Shizuoka Prefecture. Fukuroi and the surrounding areas are known for unbearable summer heat, making this stop on the Tokaido a regular place of rest and restoration for travelers. Previous artists often represented Fukuroi with a spring or rural village motif. In contrast, Sekino's interpretation of this station shows a modern lumberyard, a theme relevant to the craft of woodblock prints.
Sekino visited Penn State in the mid-1960s, a trip arranged by the first Dean of the College of Arts and Architecture, Jules Heller. Sekino demonstrated Japanese woodblock printmaking technique for the students and helped them make prints of their own. The Shobaken family hosted Sekino for dinner at their home on several occasions during his visit, and he offered them this print with a personalized inscription as thanks.
Source
Palmer Museum of Art, The Pennsylvania State University, Gift of Bruce and Marilyn Shobaken.
Identifier
UC 96.10
Rights
This image is posted publicly for non-profit educational uses, excluding printed publication. Other uses are not permitted.