Commemorating 120 Years - Shiko Munakata

Paramita Museum

Finished

Artists

Shiko Munakata

Shiko Munakata (1903-1975), born in Aomori, was one of the leading artists in the Japanese printmaking world. His works are highly acclaimed worldwide for their unique expression that makes the most of the large-format characteristics of itamegoku hanga, a traditional Japanese art form.

After moving to Tokyo in 1924, he exhibited his works at the Teiten and Kokuga-kai exhibitions, and in 1936, when he exhibited at the 11th Kokuga-kai exhibition, he met Muneyoshi Yanagi, Kanjiro Kawai, and Shoji Hamada, all members of the folk art movement, with whom he maintained a lifelong relationship. It was also during this period that he received the inspiration for the technique known as Urasai*, which is one of Munakata's most famous techniques. For six years and eight months from April 1945, Munakata moved from Tokyo to Fukumitsu-cho, Toyama Prefecture (now Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture), where he continued to work energetically, producing some 2,000 pieces of artwork.

This exhibition commemorates the 120th anniversary of Shiko Munakata's birth and features his prewar masterpiece "Two Bodhisattvas and Ten Great Disciples of Buddha," as well as "Fireside Wishes (poem by Kanjiro Kawai)" and "Woman Kannon (poem by Kanoko Okamoto)," which he produced during his Fukko period, and "The World Munakata," which won the International Print Grand Prix at the 28th Venice Biennale of Fine Arts in 1956. In addition, this exhibition will also introduce rare paintings by Munakata's own hand, such as paintings on fusuma (sliding door panels) in his private residence in Kyoto.

[Event]
Commemorative Lecture "Shiko Munakata: Encounters and Works"
Date: Sunday, April 16, 14:00-15:30
Lecturer: Yoriko Ishii (Shiko Munakata researcher)
Capacity: 100 people on a first-come, first-served basis
For more details, please visit the official website.

Schedule

Apr 1 (Sat) 2023-Jun 4 (Sun) 2023