Artwork

Flowers of a Hundred Worlds (Momoyogusa): Chrysanthemum Boy (Kikujidō)

Kamisaka Sekka , 1909

Flowers of a Hundred Worlds (Momoyogusa): Chrysanthemum Boy (Kikujidō) is a drawing by Kamisaka Sekka. It dates from 1909 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

See how the boy’s sleeve folds bend the pattern—look at *Kamisaka Sekka (Japanese, 1866–1942)* next.

This painting shows a boy in a kimono holding a chrysanthemum. The bold colors and flat shapes come from *ukiyo-e* prints Sekka grew up with. His loose sketches feel alive but the final prints are sharp and precise.

Sekka mixed old and new styles. He trained in traditional painting but also used bright colors from Western art. This series helped revive Japanese decorative art in the early 1900s.

See how the boy’s sleeve folds bend the pattern—look at *Kamisaka Sekka (Japanese, 1866–1942)* next.

Overview

Flowers of a Hundred Worlds (Momoyogusa): Chrysanthemum Boy (Kikujidō) is a preparatory drawing by Kamisaka Sekka, created on tracing paper with ink and color, showcasing a loose, freehand sketch for his larger series.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a boy in a kimono holding a chrysanthemum, blending traditional Japanese motifs with modern influences, reflecting Sekka's eclectic style.

Technique & Style

Characterized by bold colors and flat shapes, the work draws from Sekka's ukiyo-e roots. His training in traditional Japanese painting is combined with the vibrant color palette of Western art, resulting in a distinctive fusion.

History & Provenance

Part of Sekka's Flowers of a Hundred Worlds series, this drawing was a precursor to the sharp, precise final prints. The series played a significant role in the early 20th-century revival of Japanese decorative art.

Context

Sekka's work, including this piece, demonstrates his ability to merge traditional Japanese aesthetics with Western artistic elements, a hallmark of his contribution to the development of modern Japanese art.

Legacy

Through the Flowers of a Hundred Worlds series, Sekka influenced the resurgence of Japanese decorative arts in the early 1900s, leaving a lasting impact on the evolution of modern Japanese art practices.