Spring Snow at Shirakawa (Shunsetsu Shirakawa) captures the delicate beauty of late-season snowfall in this historic Fukushima region landscape. Sekino's roots in northern Japan infuse his snow scenes with authentic feeling. This artist-printed edition typically commands $300-$900, with winter landscapes among his most popular subjects.
A 1970 color edition print (48 of 128) depicting Shirakawa — the old barrier checkpoint in Fukushima Prefecture — under the late snowfall of early spring. The title's Japanese subtitle, "Shunsetsu Shirakawa," emphasizes the seasonal paradox: spring's warmth arriving while winter's snow still lies on the ground. Sekino's handling of snow in color woodblock — the negative space of unprinted paper, the blue-grey shadows in the drifts — is among his most accomplished landscape work.
Woodblock print
c. 1832/38
Color woodblock print; oban
Yuki no Miyajima
1929
Color woodblock print; oban
1932
Woodblock print
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Spring Snow at Shirakawa (Shunsetsu Shirakawa) was created by Jun'ichiro Sekino (関野準一郎) in 1970.
Spring Snow at Shirakawa (Shunsetsu Shirakawa) uses Nishiki-e, Moku-hanga, and Kento, on color woodblock print; edition 48/128.
Spring Snow at Shirakawa (Shunsetsu Shirakawa) depicts snow scenes and spring, set at Shirakawa.
