Fukuroi: Annual Growth Rings

Item

Title

Fukuroi: Annual Growth Rings

Creator

Junichiro SEKINO
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.

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.

Item sets