The Disciple Subodai (Ten Great Followers of Shaka)

"The Disciple Subodai" is a sosaku-hanga print by Shiko Munakata, created during the Showa period. This work demonstrates the artist's distinctive approach to Buddhism and bodhisattvas through the medium of Japanese woodblock printing.

Munakata was the most internationally celebrated sosaku-hanga artist, known for his powerful, expressive woodcuts that drew on Buddhist imagery and folk traditions. His bold, almost violent carving style created works of raw spiritual intensity.

This print represents Shiko Munakata's contribution to the sosaku-hanga tradition during the Showa period. As with all works by this artist, it reflects both individual artistic vision and the broader cultural moment in which it was created. For collectors and admirers of Japanese printmaking, it offers a window into the sophisticated aesthetic world that produced some of the most beloved images in art history.