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Shiko Munakata and Prints
Hirosawa Museum of Art
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Artists
Shiko Munakata
Shiko Munakata was born on September 5, 1903, in Aomori City as the son of a blacksmith. From a young age, he was captivated by the colors of the Nebuta festival and the different styles of kite paintings in Aomori, Hirosaki, and Goshogawara. He eventually started drawing on his own.
At the age of 17, while working as a court attendant at the Aomori District Court, Munakata would frequently go to sketch at Gappo Park. At 18, he was deeply moved by a print of Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" shown to him by his friend, Tadaaki Ono, a Western-style painter living in Aomori City. Inspired, Munakata took up oil painting with a set of tools Ono gave him and began his journey as an oil painter. He later met like-minded friends who also aimed to become artists, such as Manji Matsuki, Uichi Takayama, and Masao Koto, a future sculptor. They formed the Western painting group "Seiko Gasha" and began active efforts to become recognized artists.
Munakata expanded his connections with Aomori's cultural figures, including Shunkichi Takeuchi, who later became the governor of Aomori Prefecture. Immersed in the avant-garde literature, theater, and art of the Taisho era, Munakata decided to move to Tokyo to establish himself as a first-class painter after being selected for the Teiten exhibition. He moved to Tokyo on September 7, 1924. After seeing prints by Chosei Kawakami and Ryusei Furukawa, Munakata began to seriously pursue printmaking alongside oil painting.
In 1936, Munakata's work "Yoraku-fu," submitted to the 11th Kokugakai Exhibition, caught the attention of potter Shoji Hamada. This led to the formation of a support group for Munakata by Mingei Movement members such as Soetsu Yanagi and Kanjiro Kawai. This network significantly impacted Munakata's working environment. Through their influence, Mingei (folk craft) elements were incorporated into Munakata's works, affecting his materials, techniques, themes, and presentation. Munakata continued to produce numerous masterpieces, solidifying his reputation as a printmaker.
In 1942, Munakata published his first collection of essays, "Ita Sange," in which he declared his preference for the term "Itaga" (board picture) to describe his prints.
In 1952, Munakata exhibited "Women Kannon Itaga-maki" at the 2nd International Print Exhibition in Lugano, Switzerland, winning the first prize awarded to a Japanese artist. In 1955, he exhibited works such as "Two Bodhisattvas and Ten Great Disciples of Shakyamuni" at the 3rd São Paulo Biennial, winning the top prize in the printmaking category. The following year, he exhibited "Two Bodhisattvas and Ten Great Disciples of Shakyamuni" and "Willow Green Flower Red Hymn" at the 28th Venice Biennale, winning the International Print Prize. Munakata's art was highly regarded internationally, establishing him as a leading Japanese printmaker.
In his later years, known as "The World Munakata," Munakata received high domestic accolades, including the Order of Culture in 1970. Enjoy the passionate and powerful art of Shiko Munakata.
First Period: August 1 (Thu) – September 29 (Sun)
Second Period: October 3 (Thu) – November 24 (Sun)
At the age of 17, while working as a court attendant at the Aomori District Court, Munakata would frequently go to sketch at Gappo Park. At 18, he was deeply moved by a print of Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" shown to him by his friend, Tadaaki Ono, a Western-style painter living in Aomori City. Inspired, Munakata took up oil painting with a set of tools Ono gave him and began his journey as an oil painter. He later met like-minded friends who also aimed to become artists, such as Manji Matsuki, Uichi Takayama, and Masao Koto, a future sculptor. They formed the Western painting group "Seiko Gasha" and began active efforts to become recognized artists.
Munakata expanded his connections with Aomori's cultural figures, including Shunkichi Takeuchi, who later became the governor of Aomori Prefecture. Immersed in the avant-garde literature, theater, and art of the Taisho era, Munakata decided to move to Tokyo to establish himself as a first-class painter after being selected for the Teiten exhibition. He moved to Tokyo on September 7, 1924. After seeing prints by Chosei Kawakami and Ryusei Furukawa, Munakata began to seriously pursue printmaking alongside oil painting.
In 1936, Munakata's work "Yoraku-fu," submitted to the 11th Kokugakai Exhibition, caught the attention of potter Shoji Hamada. This led to the formation of a support group for Munakata by Mingei Movement members such as Soetsu Yanagi and Kanjiro Kawai. This network significantly impacted Munakata's working environment. Through their influence, Mingei (folk craft) elements were incorporated into Munakata's works, affecting his materials, techniques, themes, and presentation. Munakata continued to produce numerous masterpieces, solidifying his reputation as a printmaker.
In 1942, Munakata published his first collection of essays, "Ita Sange," in which he declared his preference for the term "Itaga" (board picture) to describe his prints.
In 1952, Munakata exhibited "Women Kannon Itaga-maki" at the 2nd International Print Exhibition in Lugano, Switzerland, winning the first prize awarded to a Japanese artist. In 1955, he exhibited works such as "Two Bodhisattvas and Ten Great Disciples of Shakyamuni" at the 3rd São Paulo Biennial, winning the top prize in the printmaking category. The following year, he exhibited "Two Bodhisattvas and Ten Great Disciples of Shakyamuni" and "Willow Green Flower Red Hymn" at the 28th Venice Biennale, winning the International Print Prize. Munakata's art was highly regarded internationally, establishing him as a leading Japanese printmaker.
In his later years, known as "The World Munakata," Munakata received high domestic accolades, including the Order of Culture in 1970. Enjoy the passionate and powerful art of Shiko Munakata.
First Period: August 1 (Thu) – September 29 (Sun)
Second Period: October 3 (Thu) – November 24 (Sun)
Schedule | Aug 1 (Thu) 2024-Nov 24 (Sun) 2024 Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Adults ¥1500, University and High School Students ¥700, Junior High School Students ¥500, Elementary School Students and Under free. | ||||
| Website | https://www.shimodate.jp/news/20240716.html | ||||
| Venue | Hirosawa Museum of Art | ||||
| Location | The Hirosawa City, 599-1 Otsuka, Chikusei-shi, Ibaraki 308-0813 | ||||
| Access | 10 minutes by taxi from the North exit of Shimodate Station on the JR Mito line, 10 minutes by taxi from the South exit of Shimodate Station on the Joso or Maoka line. | ||||
| Phone | 0296-21-1234 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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