Sentaro, Iwata, 1901-1974

Born in Asakusa district of Tokyo. After failure of father’s business lived for awhile in Kyoto. Studied yuzen design and dyeing. In 1919 returned to Tokyo and studied with Ito Shinsui. Began newspaper and magazine illustrating in 1920 with work appearing in Kuraku, Mainichi shinbun, and Shukan asahi. By 1930 he was a well-known illustrator. Formed the Federation of Publishing Artists (Shuppan Bijutsuka Renmei) in 1950. Woodblocks of his works, including bijin-ga and dating 1930s-1970s, published by Shinbi Shoin, Takamizawa, Adachi, Kato Junji, and Watanabe Shozaburo. Sometimes used the signature Sentaro and a red circular seal with curved line through the center.** 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.