Mokuhanga Japanese woodblock print
10 x 13 inches
2023.
I don’t live independently.
Every success and accomplishment I have in my life has been possible because of someone else and their support. The Japanese phrase Okage Sama De (おかげ様で) captures this teaching well. It means "I am here because of those around me." Japanese culture is collectivistic. Many of us build happiness within ourselves through seeing others’ happiness. In Japanese culture, the sense of self (your perception of who you are) is cultivated as a group, not as an individual.
From this perspective, my accomplishment is your accomplishment that I must express gratitude for. I was reminded of the concept when I attended the Remembrance Day event in Washington DC in 2023. One of the speakers, Erika Moritsugu, mentioned Okage Sama De as a Japanese philosophy and a way to pay respect to those who advocated for justice regarding the Japanese internment camp.
My Mokuhanga image In The Origami Garden reflects the above. There is a group of supporting hands underneath the garden in this image----Even if one is proud of the beautiful garden their hands have created, they should never forget that the garden exists because of these supportive hands. I believe this is true for parenting, career building, social justice movements, and for life in general. We are who we are because of those around us.
In the Origami Garden
RETURN & REFUND POLICY
Return and exchange are accepted within 30 days from the purchase date.
Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.
SHIPPING INFO
Shipping and handling fee is $7 for small prints, $12 for medium prints, and $20 for large prints within the United States. When you purchase more than one product, only the higher shipping rate will be applied. The artwork is mounted on a white backing board and can be easily removed for any framing you desire. The artwork ships flat in a thick cardboard envelope wrappped in a cellophane bag for protection.
What is Mokuhanga woodblock print?
Mokuhanga is a method of Traditional Japanese woodblock printmaking. It uses non-toxic, water-based inks combined with Japanese nori starch paste. Images are printed by hand using a baren, one color at a time.