This vintage shikishi print by Ichirō Nakamura 中村一郎 (1918–1993) presents an expressive seascape rendered in rich blue tones. The composition is full of movement, with sweeping brush-like textures suggesting waves, wind, rain, and the shifting surface of the sea.
Unlike traditional ink-style shikishi, this work has a strong Western-style painting feeling, reflecting Nakamura’s background as a yōga painter. The layered blue and white textures create a dramatic sense of depth, while the bold, almost abstract brushwork gives the scene a powerful atmosphere. The lower portion suggests foaming waves or a rugged shoreline, while the upper area evokes a stormy sky or distant horizon.
Ichirō Nakamura was a renowned Western-style painter from Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture. He served as a councilor of the Nitten Exhibition and was a member of the Nichiyō-kai / Japan Western-style Painting Association. His work often focused on landscapes, ports, shipyards, and places he encountered during his travels, including European scenes such as Edinburgh in Scotland. In 1986, he received the prestigious Sanyō Shimbun Award for Cultural Merit, recognizing his contribution to regional culture and the arts.
This shikishi reflects Nakamura’s distinctive artistic language: textured surfaces, atmospheric color, and a modern painterly approach to landscape. It carries a cool, contemplative mood, making it a striking piece for collectors of Japanese shikishi art, modern Japanese painting, seascape prints, yōga-style works, or Okayama-related artists.
Size: 24 x 27cm
