Sekino Jun'ichirô (1914 - 1988)

Even before his twentieth birthday Sekino Jun'ichirô was already involved with woodblock prints: he made them together with friends while still at High School, and he knew Shikô Munakata (a few years his senior) from boyhood (Munakata was also from Aomori prefecture). From 1932 he exhibited with the Nihon Hanga Kyôkai. In the 30s he studied with Onchi Kôshirô and with Maekawa Senpan. After WWII he became especially well-known in USA, but his star rose rapidly elsewhere in the world as well. His work is characterized by its technical accomplishment and variety.