by Reika Iwami
$1,000–$8,000. Common prints: $1,000–$2,500. Key value factors: Iwami Reika's luminous abstract prints are among the most sought-after by female Japanese printmakers. Her cosmic and water-inspired works command the highest prices.
Edition 10 of 70, also from 1983, Ode to the Sea - E extends the series by one further variation, exploring yet another configuration of water, light, and atmospheric space. The earlier position in the edition run, number 10 compared to the D variant's number 38, may mean this impression was printed when the blocks were fresher, potentially yielding crisper lines and more saturated color. Iwami's serial approach to the sea subject mirrors the ocean's own endless variation: no two waves are identical, and no two moments of looking at the sea produce the same visual experience. The E designation pushes the series toward a comprehensive catalog of oceanic states, with each lettered variant capturing a distinct combination of wave pattern, light angle, and atmospheric density. Together, the Ode to the Sea prints form a sustained act of visual attention.
1940
Woodblock print
1934
Color woodblock print; oban
Boshu Taikai
1925
Color woodblock print; oban
September 1931
Color woodblock print; oban
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Ode to the Sea - E was created by Reika Iwami (岩見禮花) in 10/70, 1983.
Ode to the Sea - E depicts seascapes.
