Momoyo-gusa: Ni

Kamisaka Sekka, a Kyoto artist, was instrumental in reforming the anachronistic craft designs of his day. While others tried to adopt the European art nouveau style in ceramics, lacquerware and textiles, Kamisaka worked with craftspeople, providing them with his Rinpa-inspired designs. His three-volume illustrated book 'Momoyo-gusa (the world of things), published in 1909, is an important example of the early 20th century adaptation of Rinpa-style designs. Reproduced in woodblock prints, Kamisaka's images freshly reinterpret classical subjects using the 'wash' technique characteristic of the school.

Kikujido (child of the benevolent chrysanthemum) is a figure from Chinese legend. A page boy at the time of the ancient dynasty of Western Zhou, he was banished from court and sent into exile, where he drank from a stream in which chrysanthemum flowers had been soaked and obtained immortality. The story was a popular theme for painting and craftworks and was made into a No play.

The Asian Collections, AGNSW, 2003, pg.232.