Hashimoto, Okiie, 1899-1993

Born in Tottori prefecture. Studied art education and oil painting at Tokyo School of Fine Arts; graduated in 1924. Studied with Tanabe Itaru and Hirata Shodo. Attended short course with Hiratsuka Un’ichi in 1936. He and Hiratsuka, who had grown up in the same region of Japan, developed a strong friendship and Hashimoto became member of Hiratsuka’s circle, Yoyogi-ha. Exhibited at Shin Bunten, Nitten, and Shun’yokai; member of Nihon Hanga Kyokai from 1940 and Kokugakai. Contributed to Kitsutsuki hangashu in 1943 and to Ichimokushu. Beginning 1925 he taught art at a middle school until he became assistant principal of Toyko First Women’s High School; remained until he retired in 1955 to devote full time to printmaking. Participated in various international exhibitions. Especially known for large, strong, colorful prints of gardens and ruined castles; published several albums including Picture Collection of Japanese Castles (Nihon no shiro gabun shu), 1944, Ten Views of Old Castles (Kojo jikkei), 1946, both published by Kato Junji, and Picture Collection of Famous Castles of Japan (Nihon no meijo gashu), 1962, published by Nihon Jokaku Kyokai. He used seals with characters “Oki” and “Hashi.” Late works include a large nude in 1983.** Taken in whole, or in part, with permission from: Merritt, Helen and Nanako Yamada. Guide to Modern Japanese Woodblock Prints: 1900-1975. University of Hawaii Press: Honolulu. 1992.