Munakata Shiko
Japanese, 1903 - 1975
Person TypeIndividual
BiographyMunakata was born im Aomori, third son of a poor blacksmith in a family of twelve children. Although his formal education ended on graduation from elementary school, Munakata was an earnest learner, reading books on religions and literature, which became the source of his recurring religious and legengary subjects. In 1924, determined to become an artist, Munakata went to Tokyo, where he studied woodblock print under Hiratsuka Un'ichi, the great pioneer of modern Japanese prints, who also came from omori. Unlike traditional artists who produced prints in a team of artist, block carver, and printer, Hiratsuka and others advocated that an artist should produce his print by himself from designing to printing. This process of modern print making greatly benefited Munakata for expressing his creative zeal; his dynamic designs were quickly printed on the crudely cut blocks. Munakata's powerfully individual style synthesizes ancient and modern Japanese traditions as well as Western influence. His sources can be traced to medieval Japenase prints and folk art (mingei). Early experience with oil paintings and familiarity with the works of Van Gogh, Matisse and the German Expressionists also made lasting impressions on the artist.