Sekino Junichiro ????? — Yaguradaiko ???

1969. Sekino Junichiro ????? . Yaguradaiko ???. Sh?wa 44 ??44?[1969]. Tokyo: Ch?? K?ronsha ????? . 29.5 x 21.5cm large format volume bound in fukuro toji. Housed in a chitsu 30.5 x 22.5cm with printed title label. Number 83 of a limited edition of 480 copies. 74 pages. Signed and stamped by the artist; artist’s hanko tipped in on colophon. Introduction, index and text printed in Japanese. Divided into 11 chapters, with 4 double page fan-shaped original prints and 10 single page black and white and color woodcuts. “The Sound of Drums” Yaguradaiko ??? gives a visual and literary peek into the world of Sumo wrestling. The combination of original woodcuts and personal essays reinforce the underlying principle of the S?saku Hanga ???? (Creative Print) movement; art as created entirely by one individual, from beginning to end. Sekino Junichiro ????? (1914-1988) was under the tutelage of Onchi K?shir? ????? (1891–1955), and considered his most gifted and successful student. Just before the war, Onchi started a monthly artist’s salon, Ichimokukai ???, First Thursday Club, or, as the pun in Japanese implies, Best Prints Club, and Sekino and artist Yamaguchi Ken, were the first two members. Many influential printmakers, Sekino in particular, emerged from this group, as the Sosaku Hanga Movement developed. Chitsu shows some wear to corners and one short edge is split. Stunning prints in fine condition. .