Japanese Printmakers of the Twentieth-Century Renaissance
Kurosaki Akira and Nakabayashi Tadayoshi
9789887470885
Distributed for HKU Museum and Art Gallery
Japanese Printmakers of the Twentieth-Century Renaissance
Kurosaki Akira and Nakabayashi Tadayoshi
A tale of two artists who redefined Japanese printmaking in an era of rapid transformation.
In the twentieth-century revival of Japanese printmaking, Kurosaki Akira and Nakabayashi Tadayoshi emerged as visionary artists who united tradition and innovation. Japanese Printmakers of the Twentieth-Century Renaissance details their profound contributions to this artistic renaissance, where rigorous training in traditional woodblock techniques met bold experimentation in form and abstraction.
Though born in the same year and trained in similar methods, Kurosaki and Nakabayashi forged distinct artistic paths. Kurosaki’s striking compositions and dynamic storytelling contrast with Nakabayashi’s precise, atmospheric renderings—yet both played a pivotal role in expanding the boundaries of printmaking. Their work reflects the creative explosion of post-war Japan, capturing a moment when self-expression and technical reinvention transformed the medium.
Accompanying a major exhibition, this volume contextualizes their legacy with relevant commentary and a contribution from Noda Tetsuya. It outlines the evolution of printmaking and the enduring impact of two of its greatest masters, making it a vital reference for scholars and admirers of Japanese art.
In the twentieth-century revival of Japanese printmaking, Kurosaki Akira and Nakabayashi Tadayoshi emerged as visionary artists who united tradition and innovation. Japanese Printmakers of the Twentieth-Century Renaissance details their profound contributions to this artistic renaissance, where rigorous training in traditional woodblock techniques met bold experimentation in form and abstraction.
Though born in the same year and trained in similar methods, Kurosaki and Nakabayashi forged distinct artistic paths. Kurosaki’s striking compositions and dynamic storytelling contrast with Nakabayashi’s precise, atmospheric renderings—yet both played a pivotal role in expanding the boundaries of printmaking. Their work reflects the creative explosion of post-war Japan, capturing a moment when self-expression and technical reinvention transformed the medium.
Accompanying a major exhibition, this volume contextualizes their legacy with relevant commentary and a contribution from Noda Tetsuya. It outlines the evolution of printmaking and the enduring impact of two of its greatest masters, making it a vital reference for scholars and admirers of Japanese art.

Table of Contents
11
INTRODUCTION
Dr Florian Knothe
13
PARALLEL PRINTS
Steven Co
17
ON KUROSAKI AKIRA AND NAKABAYASHI TADAYOSHI
Noda Tetsuya
21
JAPANESE PRINTMAKERS OF THE TWENTIETH-CENTURY RENAISSANCE:
KUROSAKI AKIRA AND NAKABAYASHI TADAYOSHI
Dr Florian Knothe
31
CATALOGUE
183
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION
Dr Florian Knothe
13
PARALLEL PRINTS
Steven Co
17
ON KUROSAKI AKIRA AND NAKABAYASHI TADAYOSHI
Noda Tetsuya
21
JAPANESE PRINTMAKERS OF THE TWENTIETH-CENTURY RENAISSANCE:
KUROSAKI AKIRA AND NAKABAYASHI TADAYOSHI
Dr Florian Knothe
31
CATALOGUE
183
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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