Shiko Munakata（棟方志功）
1903 - 1975
Born in 1903 in Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, the son of a blacksmith. After leaving elementary school, he became a waiter at the Aomori District Court and taught himself painting. In 1921, moved by Van Gogh's "Sunflowers," he decided to become a painter. In 1924, Moved to Tokyo to become a painter. In 1926, Inspired by the works of printmaker Sumio Kawakami, he decided to become a printmaker. In 1928, he began studying printmaking under the printmaker Unichi Hiratsuka, and began to make woodblock prints in earnest. Exhibited oil paintings at the Hakuhikai, and woodblock prints at the Japan Creative Print Association and the Shunyokai. In 1930, He exhibited prints at the National Painting Association and began to show major works. In 1932, Became a member of the Japan Print Association. In 1936, Exhibited "Yamato Shibi" at the National Painting Association, which became a major success, and was discovered and received by leaders of the folk art movement, including Muneyoshi Yanagi, Shoji Hamada, and Kanjiro Kawai, and had a great influence on Munakata's art from then on. In 1937, he became a member of the National Painting Association. In 1938, he exhibited "Utou" at the 2nd Shinbunten (New Literature Exhibition) and received a special prize. In 1939, Produced "The Ten Great Disciples of Buddha". In 1941, Awarded the 5th Sabu Prize. In 1945, His house in Yoyogi, Tokyo was destroyed in an air raid. He lost most of his prewar works and woodblocks. In 1952, Awarded the first Japanese winner of the 2nd Lugano International Print Exhibition (Switzerland). He left the Japan Print Association and formed the Japan Print Academy. In 1955, Awarded the highest prize in the print category at the 3rd Sao Paulo Biennial International Art Exhibition. In 1956, Became the first Japanese artist to win the Grand Prize for International Printmaking at the 28th Venice Biennale. He established himself as "the world's Munakata. In 1958, Became a member of Nitten. In 1959, Shiko Munakata held the "Domestic Exhibition of Shiko Munakata Touring Europe" at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. It toured major European cities for the next two years. In 1960, Held solo exhibitions in the United States. Becomes a trustee of Nitten. His eye disease worsens and he becomes almost blind in his left eye. In 1965, He was awarded the Asahi Prize for Culture. Became an honorary member of the Italian Academy of Fine Arts. In 1967, Held solo exhibitions in various places in the U.S. In 1970, Awarded the Mainichi Art Grand Prize. Awarded the Order of Cultural Merit. Honored as a Person of Cultural Merit. On September 13, in 1975, he died of liver cancer at his home in Suginami Ward, Tokyo. The Munakata Shiko Memorial Museum opens in Aomori City.