Mizufune, Rokushi, 1912-1980

Born in Kure, Hiroshima prefecture. Admired the prints of Edvard Munch while still in middle school. Graduated in 1936 from sculpture department of Tokyo School of Fine Arts; also studied printmaking with Hiratsuka Un’ichi there. Founding member of Shin Hanga Shudan in 1932; Zokei Hanga Kyokai in 1937. Exhibited with Nihon Hanga Kyokai from 1933. Contributed to Shin hanga. Exhibited sculpture at Shin Bunten and Nitten and is best known in Japan as a sculptor. Member of Nihon Hanga Kyokai. Began exhibiting prints widely in 1955. Participated in Tokyo International Print Biennales beginning in 1960. Spent 1961-1962 in U.S. Subjects are frequently birds and objects associated with the sea. Employs thick, opaque watercolor with light colors frequently applied over dark.** 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.