Jun'ichiro Sekino: Siamese Cat and Kitten against a Red Rug

Artist: Junichiro Sekino (1914-1988)
Title: Siamese Cat and Kitten on a Red Rug  シャム猫の親猫と子猫  Date: ca. 1960

A chocolate point Siamese lounges on a red rug; her kitten has stood up and is looking curiously at the viewer with its big, blue eyes. An unusual viewpoint, with the space between the two perhaps representing the growing independence of the kitten. A scarce design.

Sekino created a number of terrific cat designs, and each of his subjects have unique personalities.  Sekino was one of the major postwar figures of the sosaku hanga (creative print) movement. He was largely self-taught, but was strongly influenced by the great Kochiro Onchi. He actually grew up near Munakata Shiko in Aomori, and although 11 years apart, they were friends. He won his first prize for a woodblock in 1935 at the 4th Nihon Hanga Kyokai.

Condition: Excellent impression and color; very good condition. Minor creases to upper left corner and hinging remnants, verso. Dimensions: 46 x 31.6  cm
Signed: Signed "Jun. Sekino" in  white pigment , lower left and artist's seal in black 

SKU: SEK023