Offset lithograph with cold stamp and high gloss varnishing on paper hand signed by Takashi Murakami with silver pen and numbered of a limited edition of 300.
Takashi Murakami and Ōgata Kōrin are connected by their reinterpretation of Japanese artistic tradition from innovative perspectives. Ōgata Kōrin, a master of the Edo period (17th-18th century), was noted for his Rimpa style, characterized by stylized designs, asymmetrical compositions, and bold use of color and gilding. Murakami, in contrast, fuses this heritage with elements of contemporary art and pop culture, creating a style he calls Superflat. This concept celebrates two-dimensionality, drawing inspiration from Rimpa and other traditions such as ukiyo-e, while incorporating references to manga and anime.
Both share a decorative aesthetic and a fascination with nature, although Murakami recontextualizes these elements in a global, commercial framework. For example, his use of smiling flowers and vibrant patterns dialogues with Ōgata's botanical motifs, but in a context of mass production and digital culture. In this way, Murakami not only pays homage to Kōrin, but extends his legacy by integrating tradition and modernity, highlighting the continuity and adaptability of Japanese art through time.
