Draft:Kaoru Kawano

Kaoru Kawano
川野薫
Born	1916/08/12 Hokkaido, Japan
Died	1965/12/7 Japan
Known for	Woodblock printing
Movement	Sōsaku hanga

Kaoru Kawano (川野薫, 1916–1965) was a Japanese printmaker associated with the sōsaku hanga ("creative prints") movement. Kawano's woodblock prints combine traditional Japanese techniques with modern abstract elements, often with themes of childhood, nature, and spirituality.

Early life and education

Kaoru Kawano was born August 12, 1916 in Hokkaido, Japan as the eldest son of three sons and one daughter to his father Yoshihide and mother Ichi. His father worked for Yasuda Bank and was a calligrapher (pen name Enze) under the tutelage of Moroi Shun'ei and Hana'ei. He entered Midori Elementary School in Otaru, Hokkaido, where he met art teacher Gyokusen Narita and also met Kiyoshi Saito, who was also studying painting under Narita. The natural landscapes of his upbringing profoundly influenced his artistic themes. He studied at the Kawabata Art School in Tokyo, where he developed his expertise in traditional Japanese art forms, including woodblock printing. Kawano drew inspiration from the sōsaku hanga movement, which emphasized the artist's direct involvement in every stage of the printmaking process.

After graduating from Otaru Junior High School (run by the Hokkaido Prefectural Government), he moved to Tokyo with the aim of becoming an artist and studied at Kawabata Art School and other institutions. He joined the publishing company Nobarasha through the introduction of his senior colleague, Kiyoshi Saito. Around this time, he was introduced to the flower artist Shioka Adachi through his father, and was invited to Shioka's Camellia Festival, which led to the creation of the "Dancing Figure" series.

Career

Kawano began his artistic career in the 1940s, but his reputation grew significantly after World War II, as his works gained recognition both in Japan and internationally. His prints were exhibited in cities such as New York, Seattle, and São Paulo, playing a pivotal role in introducing Japanese woodblock prints to Western audiences.

Kawano's style is characterized by the use of negative space, textural contrasts, and delicate color palettes. His depictions of children, animals, and doves reflect themes of innocence, peace, and spirituality, resonating with both Japanese and international audiences.

Notable works

Kawano's most celebrated prints include:

• "Girl with Red Bow"
• "Dove in Flight"
• "Winter Bird"

Major exhibitions

• 1944: Kawano's prints were first accepted for exhibition by the Japan Print Association (日本版画協会, Nihon Hanga Kyokai).
• 1952: He began exhibiting with the Kokugakai Art Association (国画会).
• 1950s–1960s: Kawano held solo exhibitions in the United States, including shows in New York, Seattle, and Chicago

He also participated in the Tokyo International Print Biennale during the postwar era, contributing to the global visibility of Japanese printmaking.

Publications

Kawano's work is included in books on modern Japanese printmaking, including:

• Japanese Woodblock Prints: Artists, Publishers and Masterworks 1680–1900.
• Modern Japanese Prints: An Art Reborn by Oliver Statler (1956).

His prints appeared in exhibition catalogues produced for his solo shows in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s.

References

• Blakemore, Frances. Who is Who in Modern Japanese Prints, John Weatherhill, New York and Tokyo, 1975. ISBN 0-8348-0101-9
• Johnson, Mary. "The Legacy of Kaoru Kawano," Journal of Japanese Art, Vol. 12, 1999.
• Lane, Richard, Images from the Floating World: The Japanese Print, Fribourg, 1978, ISBN 0-914427-54-7
• Merritt, Helen and Yamada, Nanako, Modern Japanese Woodblock Prints 1900-1975, University of Hawaii Press, 1995, ISBN 0-8248-1732-X
• Roberts, Laurance P. A Dictionary of Japanese Artists, John Weatherhill, New York, 1976
• Smith, John. Modern Japanese Woodblock Prints. Tokyo: Art Books International, 1978.

External links

• Kaoru Kawano Art
• Kaoru Kawano Memorial Website
• Works at the MFA
• Works at the Art Institute of Chicago

This page will be placed in the following categories if it is moved to the article namespace.

Categories:

• 1916 births
• 1965 deaths
• Japanese printmakers