Edutainment > Katsuhira Tokushi - 1904-1971

Katsuhira Tokushi I

Customs of Japan
Dotsuta - Pounding with Water Power
copyright Katsuhira Tokushi

For art friends and collectors with open eyes for beauty and for good old craftsmanship the history of Japanese printmaking in the twentieth century has still a lot of treasures that only wait to be discovered. Artists who are little known, whose prints are hard to find and who are undervalued. Woodblock printmaker Katsuhira Tokushi is in my view such an artist waiting to be discovered by you.

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From Carving Dolls ...

Katsuhira Tokushi II

Kanae Yamamoto - Biography
Girl with Camellia
copyright Katsuhira Tokushi

Katsuhira Tokushi was born in Akita prefecture. That is far, far away from the historical art centers of Japan - Toykyo, Kyoto or Osaka. Katsuhira was born into a family of farmers. He made a modest living by carving dolls.

... to Carving Woodblocks

By chance Katsuhira took part in a woodblock carving class in 1928 organized by the 'farmers' art movement'.

During the 1920s there was a rather obscure movement among a small group of artists with such names like 'Children's Free Art Movement' and 'Farmer's Art Movement'. They were initiated by Kanae Yamamoto (1882-1946), a somewhat rebellious artist who experienced the Russian revolution in Moscow on his return trip from Europe to Japan. When he was back in Japan he was infected by the virus of Socialist and Communist utopia and started these initiatives who aimed at making an artist out of each farmer.

Charming Woodblocks

Katsuhira Tokushi III

Senpan Maekawa - Biography
Commuting Sleigh - Sori Godai Hanga Shu
copyright Katsuhira Tokushi

These utopian movements had a very short life. But For Katsuhira Tokushi it was a good thing. He became a real artist. And as he had never attended any conventional art classes nor had he been in contact with other artists before, he developed his own, very original style and his own subjects.

And that is the reason why he is so unique and different and refreshing at the same time. And as he was trained as a doll carver, it was only natural for Katsuhira to strive for quality in his work.

From a technical point of view, the woodblocks by Katsuhira Tokushi are by far better than those produced by some of the "big names" of the sosaku hanga movement. And from an artistic point of view I think they are great. Look at the compositions, the choice of colors - it is all first class.

Woodblocks for Your Heart and Soul

Katsuhira Tokushi IV

Masao Maeda - Biography
Customs of Akita - Children and Iris
copyright Katsuhira Tokushi

And last but not least, look at these woodblock prints with your heart! These images of playing children or simple farmers at work or at festivities, are very charming. They make you feel at home. I remember the words I once heard from a great Chinese printmaker, Cheng Hsu. He said:

"True art is felt, not understood."

How right Cheng Hsu is!

Akita Prefecture Culture Prize

Fortunately Katsuhira Tokushi did not remain completely undiscovered. He became a member of different artist groups and exhibited with these artist associations. In 1951 he was awarded the Akita Prefecture Culture Prize.

Dieter Wanczura
(July 2009)

Literature source used for this biography of Hagiwara Hideo

Katsuhira Tokushi V

Hanga
Customs of Akita - Children and Iris
copyright Katsuhira Tokushi

Helen Merritt and Nanako Yamada, "Guide to Modern Japanese Woodblock Prints: 1900-1975", published by University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, ISBN 0-8248-1732-X.

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