Squall over the Ocean

Date:: 1936
Medium:: Woodblock print
Edition:: Self-printed
Source:: Japanese Art Open Database

Typical Price

Rare early signed work in excellent condition: $5,000–$25,000
Fine signed mid-century print: $2,000–$8,000
Good condition signed example: $500–$2,500

Description

"Squall over the Ocean" from 1936 — one year before his landmark Buddhist series — shows Munakata turning to the sea and its sudden weather as subjects of direct, physical encounter. The squall is a rapid, violent storm that transforms the ocean surface without warning, and Munakata's carving style was perfectly suited to this subject of concentrated, immediate natural force. Growing up in Aomori at the northern end of Honshu, he had known the harsh maritime weather of the Pacific coast and the Sea of Japan, and his ocean squall prints carry the authority of someone who has felt that weather on his face.

More Prints by Shiko Munakata

Flying Over the Mountains (Yamagoe), from the series "The Tale of the Auklet (Uto Hanga-kan)"

1960

Woodblock print

Bodhisattva Manjusri (Monju bosatsu no saku), from the series Ten Great Disciples of the Buddha Sakyamuni (Shaka jûdai deshi), Shôwa period, undated (block carved 1948)

Shôwa period, 1926-1989

Woodblock print

Ragora (Rahula), from the series "Two Bodhisattva and Ten Great Disciples of Buddha Sakyamuni (Nibosatsu Shaka judai deshi)"

1939-68

Woodblock print

Ubari (Upali), from the series "Two Bodhisattva and Ten Great Disciples of Buddha Sakyamuni (Nibosatsu Shaka judai deshi)"

1939 (printed 1955)

Woodblock print

More Seascapes Prints

Child of the Sea

1940

Woodblock print

The Beach at Kaiganji in Sanuki Province (Sanuki Kaiganji no hama), from the series "Collection of Views of Japan II, Kansai Edition (Nihon fukei shu II Kansai hen)"

1934

Color woodblock print; oban

Pacific Ocean, Awa Province (Boshu Taikai), from the series "Souvenirs of Travel, Third Series (Tabi miyage dai sanshu)"

Boshu Taikai

1925

Color woodblock print; oban

Pine Beach at Miho (Miho no Matsubara), from the series "Selection of Views of the Tokaido (Tokaido fukei senshu)"

September 1931

Color woodblock print; oban

Featured in Collections

Curated cross-cuts that include this print.

Sōsaku-Hanga: The Creative-Print Movement

Frequently Asked Questions

Squall over the Ocean was created by Shiko Munakata (棟方志功) in 1936.

Squall over the Ocean depicts seascapes.