Skip to main content

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.

188 pages | 140 color plates | 9 x 11 | © 2025

Art: Art--General Studies


Hong Kong University Press image

View all books from Hong Kong University Press

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

Be the first to know

Get the latest updates on new releases, special offers, and media highlights when you subscribe to our email lists!

Sign up here for updates about the Press