At the Fireplace Edge in the North East — 東北のゐろり端

The Japanese subtitle 東北のゐろり端 situates this print at the irori, the sunken open hearth central to domestic life in Tohoku, the northeastern region of Honshu where Sekino was born in Aomori. Hearth-side scenes of this kind draw on a folk-culture subject Sekino returned to throughout his career, using the contrast between firelight warmth and winter cold to evoke a distinctly regional way of life. The composition likely places one or more seated figures near the hearth, with Sekino's bold carving rendering the wooden architectural elements, smoke-blackened beams, and the glow of embers through layered color printing. The print reflects his deep personal connection to Tohoku and his interest in preserving vernacular culture through the sosaku-hanga medium.