Sei Shonagon

This month's print depicts Sei Shonagon, the daughter of Kiyohara no Motosuke, whose print you received last year. The poem is one of the most popular in the whole set, and Shunsho made sure that he produced a spectacular design to go along with it. This is one of two women he drew with their back to the 'camera' (seven men are pictured that way), and I understand that it is generally considered better that Sei Shonagon is posed in this manner, in order that the view of her countenance not distract us from our appreciation of her poetry. (That sentence can be understood in two ways, and I should perhaps add that she was widely renown for her intelligence . . . . .)

I enjoyed carving this print, and not simply because there were no eyes or nose! The carving was a pleasure this time mostly due to the wood block itself. The quality of the wood that is available nowadays varies widely, as all of the large, very old growth cherry trees have disappeared, and printmakers today are forced to use wood that would have been discarded by Edo-era carvers. Occasionally though, pieces come along that are really quite beautiful, and the plank that I received for this print is the most perfect piece that I have ever seen. The grain is wonderfully straight and close, and the texture of the wood is very dense and hard. As I was carving, I felt quite guilty that such a magnificent tree should have been destroyed, simply to cater to my silly little endeavour. I only hope that history will not judge me too harshly, and will find a redeeming value in the prints that I am producing.

I hope that you too, enjoy this print.