Shiko Munakata

Background

Shiko was born in 1903 in Aomori Prefecture. Worked hard assisting his father at his blacksmith shop.

Education

Finished elementary school course but received no further formal education and had to work his way through training as an art student.

Career

First tried his hand at oil painting frequently receiving prizes for works he displayed at exhibitions. Then he took up the art of woodcut printing.

Being closely associated with Mingei Kyokai {Folk Craft Society) headed by Soetsu Yanagi he has a considerable number of fans among foreigners.

The collected edition of his essays contains descriptions of his daily life devoted exclusively to art.

Works

• artwork

  • Rizctei

    (English name 'Rainy Garden With Carp in the Pond')

  • Kenkonsho

    (English name 'Eulogy to Heaven and Earth')

Personality

His favorite subject is visionary human figures derived mostly from Buddhist legends and done in characteristic bold lines.