Exhibition/event has ended.
The Shin-Hanga: The Great Endeavor of Shozaburo Watanabe
Akita Museum of Modern Art
Finished
SHARE
Shozaburo Watanabe (1885-1962) began his career at the age of 17 working for the export shop of ukiyo-e dealer Bunshichi Kobayashi in Yokohama. There, he was captivated by the unique beauty of ukiyo-e woodblock prints, especially those produced in the baren rubbing technique. In the wake of Western photography and printing technologies introduced during the Meiji period, ukiyo-e woodblock prints (nishiki-e) had been declining. Watanabe aimed to revive this art form and innovate new woodblock printmaking techniques.
Watanabe later established his studio, Watanabe Woodblock Print Shop (now known as Watanabe Mokuhanga), in Kyobashi, Tokyo, in 1909. Alongside studying and selling ukiyo-e prints, from 1915, he attempted to create prints of works by foreign artists visiting Japan. Collaborating with young artists, primarily disciples of Kiyokata Kaburagi, he focused on producing new woodblock prints with a high level of artistic quality. He preserved the collaborative system established in the Edo period among painters, carvers, and printers, using high-quality materials and pioneering techniques like "zara-zuri" (coarse rubbing), which were unique to hand-rubbed prints, to achieve unprecedented intricate and vibrant coloring.
Supported by his creativity and refined aesthetic sense, Shozaburo Watanabe introduced "new prints" that gained international acclaim and sparked the "Shin Hanga boom" in the early Showa era.
In this exhibition, with the full cooperation of Watanabe Mokuhanga, which continues to embody the spirit of new printmaking, this exhibition will trace Shozaburo Watanabe's journey through rare early prints. These prints vividly illustrate the charm of modern expressions infused with his innovative spirit. Additionally, as a special feature at the Akita venue, five works depicting Akita landscapes from Kawase Hasui's "Tabimiyage Dai San Shu" will be on display.
Watanabe later established his studio, Watanabe Woodblock Print Shop (now known as Watanabe Mokuhanga), in Kyobashi, Tokyo, in 1909. Alongside studying and selling ukiyo-e prints, from 1915, he attempted to create prints of works by foreign artists visiting Japan. Collaborating with young artists, primarily disciples of Kiyokata Kaburagi, he focused on producing new woodblock prints with a high level of artistic quality. He preserved the collaborative system established in the Edo period among painters, carvers, and printers, using high-quality materials and pioneering techniques like "zara-zuri" (coarse rubbing), which were unique to hand-rubbed prints, to achieve unprecedented intricate and vibrant coloring.
Supported by his creativity and refined aesthetic sense, Shozaburo Watanabe introduced "new prints" that gained international acclaim and sparked the "Shin Hanga boom" in the early Showa era.
In this exhibition, with the full cooperation of Watanabe Mokuhanga, which continues to embody the spirit of new printmaking, this exhibition will trace Shozaburo Watanabe's journey through rare early prints. These prints vividly illustrate the charm of modern expressions infused with his innovative spirit. Additionally, as a special feature at the Akita venue, five works depicting Akita landscapes from Kawase Hasui's "Tabimiyage Dai San Shu" will be on display.
Schedule | Jul 20 (Sat) 2024-Sep 23 (Mon) 2024 Opening Hours Information
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Adults ¥1200, University and High School Students ¥800, Junior High School Students and Under free. | ||||
| Venue | Akita Museum of Modern Art | ||||
| Location | 62-46 Azatomigasawa, Akasaka, Yokote-shi, Akita 013-0064 | ||||
| Access | From the East exit of JR Yokote Station, take the Ugo Kotsu bus and get off at Akitafrusatomura. The venue is 7 minute walk from there. | ||||
| Phone | 0182-33-8855 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
Traveling exhibition schedule
Back to Articles
SHARE
No comments yet