We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Momoyo-gusa: Ni

1909

Artist

Kamisaka Sekka

Japan

1866 – 1942

Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
Alternate image of Momoyo-gusa: Ni by Kamisaka Sekka
  • Details

    Alternative title
    World of things: vol.2
    Place where the work was made
    Japan
    Period
    Meiji period 1868 - 1912 → Japan
    Date
    1909
    Media categories
    Print , Book
    Materials used
    folded book: 23 leaves, 20 woodblock prints; ink and colour on paper
    Dimensions
    29.8 x 22.2 cm leaf; 29.9 x 22.2 x 2.2 cm closed book; 29.9 x 44.6 cm open book :

    a - [table of contents], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, text; leaf a and leaf b

    b - Otsu-e (Folk picture in Otsu), 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf b and leaf c

    c - Yanagi sakura [A willow and cherry blossoms], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf c and leaf d

    d - Shibaraku (A Kabuki character], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf d and leaf e

    e - Shôfu (A woodcutter], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf e and leaf f

    f - Asazuma-bune (A noble man on the boat), 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf f and leaf g

    g - Ume [A plum tree], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf g and leaf h

    h - Hikifune [Pulling the boat], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf h and leaf i

    i - Tsuru [Cranes], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf i and leaf j

    j - Obana ni tsuki [Pampas grasses and the moon], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf j and leaf k

    k - Eji (A guard), 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf k and leaf l

    l - Kikujidô (A boy sitting), 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf l and leaf m

    m - Hanazashi-guruma [A cart with flowers], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf m and leaf n

    n - Ajisai [Hydrangeas], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf n and leaf o

    o - Odori [Dancing], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf o and leaf p

    p - Chabo [Bantams], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf p and leaf q

    q - Fuji [Wisterias], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf q and leaf r

    r - Bokudô [A cowboy], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf r and leaf s

    s - Kuji [Puppies], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf s and leaf t

    t - Kaminari [The thunder god], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf t and leaf u

    u - Sazanami [Ripples], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, image; verso leaf u and leaf v

    v - [dates of printing, publication, artist's name and address, publisher's name and address], 29.8 x 44.5 cm, text; verso leaf v

    Signature & date

    Not signed. Not dated.

    Credit
    Purchased with the assistance of the Sidney Myer Fund 1991
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    176.1991.2.a-v
    Copyright

    Reproduction requests

    Artist information
    Kamisaka Sekka

    Works in the collection

    6

    Share
  • About

    Kamisaka Sekka, a Kyoto artist, was instrumental in reforming the anachronistic craft designs of his day. While others tried to adopt the European art nouveau style in ceramics, lacquerware and textiles, Kamisaka worked with craftspeople, providing them with his Rinpa-inspired designs. His three-volume illustrated book 'Momoyo-gusa (the world of things), published in 1909, is an important example of the early 20th century adaptation of Rinpa-style designs. Reproduced in woodblock prints, Kamisaka's images freshly reinterpret classical subjects using the 'wash' technique characteristic of the school.

    Kikujido (child of the benevolent chrysanthemum) is a figure from Chinese legend. A page boy at the time of the ancient dynasty of Western Zhou, he was banished from court and sent into exile, where he drank from a stream in which chrysanthemum flowers had been soaked and obtained immortality. The story was a popular theme for painting and craftworks and was made into a No play.

    The Asian Collections, AGNSW, 2003, pg.232.

  • Places

    Where the work was made

    Japan

  • Exhibition history

    Shown in 3 exhibitions

    • Heroes and Villains, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 19 May 2001–19 Aug 2001

    • Glorious, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 27 May 2017–06 Jan 2019

    • In one drop of water, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 15 Jun 2019–21 Feb 2021

  • Bibliography

    Referenced in 4 publications

Other works by Kamisaka Sekka

See all 6 works