Kamisaka Sekka, after

Kamisaka Sekka (1866–1942) was a leading figure in early 20th-century Japanese art and is widely regarded as the last great master of the Rinpa tradition. Born in Kyoto to a samurai family, his artistic talent was recognized early, and he went on to work across multiple media, including painting, design, and lacquerware.

As traditional Japanese styles fell out of favor, Sekka played a key role in revitalizing them through modern influences. In 1901, he was sent by the Japanese government to Glasgow, where he encountered Art Nouveau and studied Western interest in Japonism. After returning to Japan, he taught at the Kyoto Municipal School of Arts and Crafts and began blending Western design principles with traditional Japanese subjects.

Sekka’s work is known for bold colors, simplified forms, and rhythmic patterns that verge on abstraction, creating a strikingly modern visual impact while remaining rooted in Japanese aesthetics.