Hiratsuka Un'ichi

Hiratsuka Un'ichi (1895-1997) was one of the founding figures of the sosaku-hanga (creative print) movement in Japan. Born in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, he studied Western-style painting before turning to printmaking under the influence of Yamamoto Kanae, whose 1904 print "Fisherman" is considered the birth of sosaku-hanga. Hiratsuka became a tireless advocate for the principle that artists should design, carve, and print their own works, in contrast to the collaborative ukiyo-e and shin-hanga traditions.

Throughout his extraordinarily long career spanning over eight decades, Hiratsuka created more than 3,000 prints, predominantly bold black-and-white woodcuts characterized by strong contrasts and dynamic compositions. His subjects ranged from Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines to modern cityscapes, rendered with a distinctively powerful cutting technique. He was instrumental in organizing the Nihon Sosaku-Hanga Kyokai (Japan Creative Print Association) in 1918 and mentored generations of younger printmakers including Takeji Asano and Tomikichiro Tokuriki.

In 1962, Hiratsuka moved to Washington, D.C., where he continued to create prints and teach at several American universities until his return to Japan. He received numerous honors including the Order of the Sacred Treasure and was designated a Living National Treasure candidate. His longevity — he lived to 102 — made him a living link between the pre-war origins of sosaku-hanga and its postwar international recognition.