
Biography
Aoyama Masaharu, also known as Aoyama Seiji, was a sosaku-hanga printmaker born in Saitama Prefecture. He studied traditional Japanese ink painting at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts and later worked at the Imperial Household Museum before retiring early to focus on his art. His prints stand out for their exceptional technical mastery in carving, printing, and design, with a particular focus on birds rendered in a style that bridges traditional nihonga and modern creative printmaking.
Key Facts
- Active Period
- 1893–1969
- Nationality
- 🇯🇵Japan
- Movement
- Sōsaku-hanga
- Works Indexed
- 57
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aoyama Masaharu known for?
Aoyama Masaharu, also known as Aoyama Seiji, was a sosaku-hanga printmaker born in Saitama Prefecture. He studied traditional Japanese ink painting at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts and later worked at the Imperial Household Museum before retiring early to focus on his art. His prints stand out for their exceptional technical mastery in carving, printing, and design, with a particular focus on birds rendered in a style that bridges traditional nihonga and modern creative printmaking.
When was Aoyama Masaharu active?
Aoyama Masaharu was active from 1893 to 1969. They were associated with the Sōsaku-hanga movement.
What artistic movements influenced Aoyama Masaharu?
Aoyama Masaharu's work was shaped by the Sōsaku-hanga tradition in Japanese woodblock printmaking. Sōsaku-hanga: The "creative prints" movement (c.
Where can I see Aoyama Masaharu's original prints?
Original prints by Aoyama Masaharu can be found in collections including Art Institute of Chicago, Japanese Art Open Database, Ohmi Gallery, wbp.
Woodblock Prints by Aoyama Masaharu (57)

A Minkan at Night
1950
Color woodblock print

Waterfall
1950s
Color woodblock print

Man Cutting Hay by Hand
1950s-1960s
Color woodblock print

Untitled (Fishing)
c.1950s
Color woodblock print

Fishing Baskets
c. 1950-60s
Color woodblock print

Owl and Moon (1)
Woodblock print

Kitten and Knitting Wool - 毛糸猫(タテ)
Woodblock print

Fishing Boat - つり舟(タテ)
Woodblock print

Snow scene- castle
Woodblock print

entrance, path, doorway
Woodblock print

Motsumoto Castle
Woodblock print

Unknown, Flowers 1
Woodblock print

Unknown, pond, reeds bird
Woodblock print

Kiyomizu Temple in Winter
Woodblock print

Kinkakuji In Snow
Woodblock print

Temple Gate and Deer
Woodblock print

Trees in Winter
Woodblock print

Cat- Kitten
Woodblock print

Seagulls
Woodblock print

Black Cat
Woodblock print

Fishing Boat on a Canal
Woodblock print

Boat with Pig
Woodblock print

Aoyama, Masaharu
Woodblock print

A Tribute to the Northern Country - 北国礼讃
Woodblock print

White Plum - 白梅
Woodblock print

Straw Shelter and Nadina - 雪囲いと南天
Woodblock print

Beach Pine - 海辺の松
Woodblock print

Riverboat - 川舟
Woodblock print

Japanese Apricot - 紅梅
Woodblock print

Snowy Mountain and Japanese Pheasant - 雪山とキジ
Woodblock print

Snowy Bamboo Grove - 雪の竹林
Woodblock print

Grove of Mixed Trees - 雑木林
Woodblock print

Mud Wall - 土壁
Woodblock print

Bamboo and Nandina - 竹と南天
Woodblock print

Bamboo Forest - 竹林
Woodblock print

Owl (1)
Woodblock print

Peasant - 農夫
Woodblock print

Woman Shell Diver - 海女
Woodblock print

Sakurada Gate - 白梅
Woodblock print

Temple - 寺
Woodblock print

Cat on Tile Roof - カワラ猫
Woodblock print

After the Harvest (1)
Woodblock print

Breaking waves (1)
Woodblock print

Fishing (1)
Woodblock print

Cormorant (1)
Woodblock print

Kitten with Bell - 鈴猫
Woodblock print

Camellia in Chinese blue vase
Woodblock print

Untitled (aoyama-masaharu)
Woodblock print

Untitled (aoyama-masaharu)
Woodblock print

Untitled (aoyama-masaharu)
Woodblock print

Untitled (aoyama-masaharu)
Woodblock print

Untitled (aoyama-masaharu)
Woodblock print

Untitled (aoyama-masaharu)
Woodblock print

Untitled (aoyama-masaharu)
Woodblock print

Untitled (aoyama-masaharu)
Woodblock print

Untitled (aoyama-masaharu)
Woodblock print

Black Pine
20th century
Woodblock print, ink and color on paper