Notan: The Art of Space in Kamisaka Sekka's Abstract Butterflies

Ready-to-hang: Includes hanging kit, ready to hang directly on the wall.
Frame Material: Durable pine wood.
Frame Measurements: 20-25mm (0.79"-0.98") thick, 10-14mm (0.4"-0.6") wide.
Paper Weight: 200 gsm (80 lb), thickness: 0.22 mm (8.7 mils).
Paper Finishing: Matte, smooth, non-reflective surface.
Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the poster.
Sustainable Paper: FSC-certified materials or equivalent.

This is an elegant and highly abstract woodblock print from the album Chō senshu (One Thousand Butterflies) by the Japanese master designer, Kamisaka Sekka. In this piece, butterflies are deconstructed into their most essential elements. Their wings become simple patches of soft, textured blue, while their flight and form are described by flowing, calligraphic lines in earthy shades of ochre, green, and brown. The composition is light and dynamic, a masterful exercise in minimalist expression and a hallmark of Sekka’s modern interpretation of the classical Rinpa style.

Historical Tidbit

This artwork is a perfect illustration of the Japanese aesthetic principle of Notan (濃淡), which describes the crucial relationship between dark and light, form and non-form. To a master like Sekka, the empty space on the page is not a passive background; it is an active and vital component of the design. He carefully arranges the butterfly forms to create a harmonious rhythm with the space around them, making the entire surface of the print feel alive. This sophisticated understanding of "positive" and "negative" space was a revelation to many Western artists and is a core reason why Japanese design continues to feel so timelessly modern.

Our sturdy wooden framed posters come ready to hang and are printed on heavyweight white matte paper with a smooth, luxurious finish—designed to stand the test of time: