World renowned woodblock print artist, Shiko Munakata

Shiko Munakata is a woodblock print artist who represents Japan. He was born to a swordsmith craftsman in Aomori in 1903, showed interest in painting since he was little, and moved to Tokyo to study painting when he was 21. He received his first award at the Imperial Academy art exhibition during his fifth year in Tokyo, in 1928. It was around this time that he started woodblock prints. He created woodblock prints while he continued to also paint, and soon began winning prizes at exhibitions.
　Later in 1952, he was awarded the ”Prize of Excellence” at the Second International Print Exhibition in Lugano, Switzerland. In 1955, he exhibited works such as ”Ten Great Disciples of the Buddha” which is considered to be his greatest masterpiece, in San Paulo Biennale, and received the highest award within the woodblock printing category. In 1956 at Venice Biennale, his exhibit ”Ryuryokukako” won the International Print Award, which made him a woodblock artist not only representative of Japan but of the world as well.

The nation’s largest collection of Munakata’s work

Shiko Munakata Memorial Museum opened in Aomori in 1975 to tell Shiko Munekata’s art to posterity.
The road towards the main building is part of a circuit style Japanese garden which calms the mind. In his work, trees changes the hue for each season, and the stroke make one feel the superb atmosphere of the four seasons.
　In 2012, Munekata Hanga (print) museum in Kamakura City was merged and acquired, making this museum having largest collection of his work in Japan. In addition to the printing work, which includes the ”Buddha’s Ten Principal Disciples”, there is a delicate, hand drawn painting called ”Yamatoga”, oil paintings and calligraphy are exhibited. In addition, valuable materials including the woodblocks are also displayed.

Take time to look at each piece, one at a time

”Rather than displaying a large number of pieces and having visitors become bored, or taking away from the impact of each piece, I would like viewers to take their time to look at each piece, one by one.”” was Shiko Menakata’s own wishes. For this reason, the rooms are not very big, and there aren’t many pieces to be distracting. Nakata also walks about slowly, stopping often to take in each piece. There are however, many pieces in the entire collection. So the exhibit is changed four times a year in order to give as many people a chance to view the pieces as possible.
　Shiko Munakata, a world master born in Aomori. Overwhelming impact with gentle delicacy. The museum allows visitors to immerse themselves in his world.

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