SIGNED 1962 JUNICHIRO SEKINO “TAKEKURABE” (YOUNG GIRL GROWING UP). JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT #61 OF 200. The print is titled “Takekurabe”, which allegorically means “growing up”. The image is a portrait of a young girl wearing a traditional hair ornament. This woodblock print was created in 1962 and is a first edition. Portion of this woodblock print measures about 20″ tall and 14″ wide. The total sheet size is approximately 23 3/8″ x 15 5/8″. The woodcut is printed on thick paper with a Sekino watermark and appears to be mounted on a sheet of thin backing paper. The print is pencil signed by the artist in the lower right corner of the image. It is also numbered “61/200″ in the lower left margin, which is obscured by the bamboo style mat when in the frame. The woodblock comes matted and framed in a black wooden frame that measures approximately 28 1/4″ x 22 5/8″ and has nonglare glass. Junichiro Sekino was a prominent Japanese print maker known for his bold woodblock prints that merge traditional Japanese themes with modern artistic expression. He was born in 1914 in Aomori Prefecture to a merchant dealing in agricultural products. He explored printmaking and oil painting from a young ag. In 1939, Sekino moved to Tokyo and studied under Koshiro Onchi, a leading figure in the Sosaku Hanga (“creative prints”) movement. Excelled in both traditional Japanese woodblock techniques and Western methods like etching. Although formally trained, he was largely self-taught, drawing inspiration from masters such as Sharaku, Hiroshige, Toulouse-Lautrec, Rembrandt, and Albrecht Dürer. During World War II, Sekino worked in an ammunition factory. The scarcity of resources like paper and ink hindered printmaking, bringing art production to a near halt between 1940 and 1945. Post-war, Sekino steadily gained international acclaim. His works were showcased in international exhibitions and began to be acquired by prestigious institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York, The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris. Sekino’s works often feature landscapes, urban scenes, and cultural motifs rendered with vivid colors and dynamic compositions. Portraiture was another significant theme in Sekino’s art. His prints are highly regarded by collectors worldwide for their artistic. Sekino’s art reflects a remarkable diversity of techniques and styles. His prints range from realistic and figurative works to abstract and expressive designs, often shifting between monochromatic and vibrant color palettes. Junichiro Sekino passed away on April 13, 1988. Condition of this Junichiro Sekino woodblock print is EXCELLENT. I don’t see any age toning, spotting, or damage to the print. As I mentioned previously the print appears to have a thin sheet of backing paper attached. There are also two small tape remnants along the border from previous mounting. The wood frame is also in good condition. I did open the back to examine and photograph the print, then sealed it back up (see last photo). The frame has a hanging wire on the back and is ready to display on your wall. Please take a close look at the many photos I’ve provided and judge condition for yourself. With only 200 copies produced, this print is quite scarce and doesn’t come up for sale often. While you’re here, please check out my other listings by clicking on the link below. See my other listings. For more great items! “Takekurabe” – Young Girl Growing Up. Closeup of Young Girl Wearing Traditional Hair Ornament. Pencil Signed in Lower Right Corner. Limited Edition Number 61/200. Attached to Thin Sheet of Backing Paper. Sekino Watermark in Paper. Reverse Side of Print. Back Side of Frame. I will insure this item at my own expense. Txzj pxzj38218 txzj-11 txzj95 txzj115.