Japan's Meiji era was a time of dramatic cultural change. Industry, the military, transportation, fashion, architecture, the arts - all aspects of Meiji society embraced modernisation. Kamisaka Sekka (1866-1942) flourished during this vibrant period. Deeply rooted in tradition - he led the revival of Rinpa, a style created in the 17th century - Sekka was a progenitor of modern design in Japan, creating imaginative, innovative imagery. He cooperated with other artisans to apply his designs to ceramics, lacquerware, and textiles, and so became an influential transitional figure. In addition to his work as a designer, Sekka produced several suites of prints, published as multivolume books. When he transformed his paintings into woodcuts for reproduction, he revised his style to suit the medium. The resulting graphics are imbued with his signature elegant and delicate touch and reflect the artist's melding of Western and Japanese design influences. The Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture in Hanford, California, holds a magnificent collection of Kamisaka Sekka's works. Chosen for this book are the complete sets of prints from three of his best-known publications: All Kinds of Things (Chigusa), All Kinds of Butterflies (Cho- senshu) and Things from Many Worlds (Momoyogusa). More than 160 woodblock prints are collected here, with an introductory essay authored by Andreas Marks, Director and Chief Curator at the Clark Center.

Exhibition of paintings, lacquerwork, ceramics, textiles, calligraphy, and other media all in the Rinpa style from 1600 to the present day.

This illustrated book brings to light the diverse work and growing influence of early 20th century Japanese artist and designer, Kamisaka Sekka, little known until recent years.

Exquisite full-color plates depict 216 winged beauties, soaring and drifting across the pages in apparently seamless flight. Also includes a bonus CD-ROM that features all of the royalty-free butterfly graphics, both in full "flights" and separated into individual units. Ideal for lovers of fine art and for use by graphic artists, designers, and craftworkers.

Accompanies an exhibition of the same name held at the Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, Massachusetts, February 14-July 26, 2020.