Introduction to Our Gallery/Kikai Sosaku-hanga

	Introduction to Our Collection	Excerpted from the article in the Culture Columns of the
		Newspaper, Nikkei, dated Oct.26.1995

		by　Naoteru Yoshitome
			The term Sosaku-hanga is used for the art works drawn,
		carved and printed by the artist. This genre covers the period
		extending from the late Meiji to some years after World War
		II, which is approximately the first half of the 20th century.
		While the artists were active, their printed works were not
		accepted as serious expression of art and were often mockingly
		called 'half art', which resulted in scanty sales opportunities.
		The unfavorable working conditions of the artists are almost
		unimaginable today, because their works are easily classified
		now under the genre of Sosaku-hanga and are appreciated all


	over the world.　Unfortunate as the artists were, this environment helped them to keep intact their artis-
	tic temperament.　Without any urge to be conscious of the eyes of will-be-purchasers, they were entirely
	free to express themselves, dictated only by the artistic consciousness that arose from the depths of their
	souls.　This explains why their apparently plain and naive expressions speak most directly to our heart.


			It was about 20 years ago that I first came into contact with
		Sosaku-hanga. With some odd moments to spare, I dropped in at
		an art gallery at Ginza, Tokyo, when one picture caught me by
		surprise.　Though it only depicted a bay scene in spring in plain
		and quiet colors, it seemed to overwhelm all the other pictures,
		painted in oil, on the walls of the gallery.


	I was stunned and stood speechless, learning only some moments later that it was a work of Sosaku-hanga
	by Azechi Umetaro, titled 'Kurinoura Inlet at Yawatahama Beach' published in 1936.　This unexpected blow
	was so shockingly fresh to me, because until this very moment I had always classified myself as a stranger
	to the beauty of fine arts.


			From that moment on, I kept on purchasing any prints that
		seemed congenial to me.　It somehow opened up for me a re-
		newed life in which I paid no other attention than to pursuing
		the works of and exploring the world of Sosaku-hanga.
		I gave up my post in the publishing company I had worked in
		for many years, and it was 8 years ago that I opened a gallery


	specializing in Sosaku-hanga.　With my hobby turned into work, I had to think of some area of activity
	where I could simply enjoy myself without regard to business.　My conclusion turned out to be that of
	bringing to light forgotten artists of Sosaku-hanga. A privilege allowed to someone who can bring them
	to light may be the joy of discovering new variations of beauty and evaluating them afresh.


			I should perhaps give special thanks to my own deviation
		from the beaten track of life, which brought me the honor
		of contributing little bits to the history of the print art and
		also appreciation by the families of the artists.　Let me
		conclude this article by requesting you to inform me about
		forgotten artists of Sosaku-hanga.

	Naoteru Yoshitome
	(an excerpt translated from the article in the Nikkei)

P.S.

We would be very grateful if any visitor to this site could give us information about the artists listed

below, whereabouts of their families, art works or documents.

Sakaguchi Usasi　Shimizu Koichi　Murayama Kanko　Ishihara Juichi　Nozaki Shinemon　Narita Gyokusen

Arai Toru (or Sueki Toru)　Matsuo Junichiro


	KIKAI　Sosaku-hanga Collection

	kikai@tbj.t-com.ne.jp　Naoteru Yoshitome

Welcome to Kikai