Illustration collection book of illustrations from Erica Ward's 2022 "Senja-e" series.

This collection includes 39 watercolor and ink "Senja-e" artworks by Erica Ward.

"Senjafuda" are paper slips woodblock-printed with the names of individuals and were born from the folk belief that if you leave your name when you visit a shrine or temple you will be blessed. You can still see Senjafuda affixed to the eaves of shrines and the ceilings of temple gates in Japan-- perhaps you've seen them? In the latter half of the Edo period, travelers started exchanging Senjafuda, and the designs of these "exchange cards" (that were no longer meant for pasting) were commissioned by skilled painters, woodblock carvers, and printers, and became more and more colorful and detailed.

My new "Senja-e" series came to being after I was invited to collaborate with a woodblock printer who makes Senjafuda, sharing his concept of "senja-e" which means "senjafuda pictures". This collection contains ink and watercolor works in the rectangular Senjafuda format that depict a variety of themes I enjoy and in my own style.

A5 size. 26 pages, 39 full-color illustrations