Edutainment > Ryusei Okamoto - His Studio

Mr. Ryusei Okamoto
copyright Ryusei Okamoto

".. Mr. Yoshimi Okamoto is unique, a fact which I would like the world to know." (Toshi Yoshida about Ryusei Okamoto, formerly known as Yoshimi Okamoto).

In February of 2006 artelino had the first solo auction with Mr. Ryusei Okamoto. Four hours after auction begin 90% of the 30 prints were sold. At the occasion of this wonderful auction we published this small gallery page with a photograph of the artist and an insight into his studio in Yokosuka in Kanagawa prefecture.

Dieter and Yorie in February 2006

Studio of Mr. Ryusei Okamoto

Woodblock prints by Ryusei Okamoto are among others available from artelino and from Peter Belsito. You find Mr. Peter Belsito on Ebay under the alias belsipe. Or you can contact the artist directly via his web site - see below.

For an extensive article about this exceptional artist, please read Ryusei Okamoto - born 1949.

Ryusei Okamoto - Biography
Studio of Mr. Okamoto
copyright Ryusei Okamoto

Gallery of Selected Woodblock Prints

White Fox - Picnic 3

How to Make a Woodblock?
White Fox - Picnic 3, 1995
copyright Ryusei Okamoto

"Kitsune Jodo 3" - The English title is "White Fox - Picnic 3". This series is in the collection of New South Wales State Art Museum in Australia and National Art Museum of New Zealand. The mischievous, somewhat coquettish girls are actually the transformations of foxes, which are the messengers of Inari shrine.

First Love, No.9

First Love, No.9, 2000
copyright Ryusei Okamoto

"Koi Hajimerukoro - Fuyu" The English title is "First Love, no.9". Ryusei often recited the famous poem about the first love by the poet Shimazaki Toson while he carved the wood blocks for the series, "First Love". He spent 8 years to finish this series. In the series, he tried to create the neat and clean image of his ideal beauties. He also tried to resurrect the thin flowing lines of the ukiyo-e tradition. Ryusei has been working steadily for the art of carving wood blocks over decades.

Red Scarf - Children of Asia

Red Scarf - Children of Asia, 1998
copyright Ryusei Okamoto

From the series, "Children of Asia", "Uzbek no Kaku" - "Red Scarf". A girl from Uzbekistan. Ryusei Okamoto wrote about this print design: "The summer in Central Asia is incredibly hot. The temperature during the day often goes up to 40 degrees centigrade or more. While travelling, I wiped my face with a towel and drank mineral water which I often sprinkled over my head. While I was walking around, I encountered a group of children coming toward me with assorted grasses in their hands. One girl in particular was wearing a red scarf and I asked her to pose for me. Ignoring the teasing from her brothers and friends, the girl stood there firmly and looked afar. Much to my surprise. I discovered many girls have their heads shaved in this country."

White Fox - Decoy

White Fox - Decoy, 1985
copyright Ryusei Okamoto

"Shiro Gitsune - Otori" The English title is "White Fox - Decoy". According to the artist, "In Japanese mythology, foxes can take the form of beautiful girls that seduce and play tricks on young men." Ryusei's mysterious and charming beauties can spell magic to any hearts, indeed.

Spirit of The Green Valley - Children of Asia

Spirit of The Green Valley - Children of Asia, 1996
copyright Ryusei Okamoto

From the series, "Children of Asia", "Midori no Tani no Shojo" - "Spirit of the Green Valley". A girl from Bhutan. The artist wrote about this print design: "Following the ridgeline the airplane touched down in Paro Valley, Bhutan. Positioned at the foot of the Himalayas, summer in Bhutan is brilliantly green. People wear clothes similar to Japanese kimono. There is no television, so children spend their time outside with their friends until sunset. They play hopscotch, fly kites, leapfrog, hoop-rolling and many other games all familiar to the Japanese. Not only the outfits but also many other things like physical appearances and actions such as singing and ways of counting numbers are identical to the Japanese traditions. Bhutan and Japan may be separated by great distances, but here in Bhutan I feel close to Japan."

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