Gihachiro Okuyama (1907-1981)

Gihachiro Okuyama was a prolific Japanese commercial artist and woodblock printmaker, renowned for his contributions to both the shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga movements. Born in Sagae, Yamagata, Okuyama initially pursued a career in commercial art, establishing his own advertising company in 1931 after creating successful campaigns for companies like the Japan Wool Company and Nikka Whiskey. However, his passion for printmaking led him to study under Gajin Kosaka and Kendo Ishii, exhibiting prints with the Nihon Sosaku Hanga Association from 1927 onwards.

Okuyama's artistic style was versatile, with over 1000 works to his name. In his shin-hanga prints, he employed evocative colors and smooth gradations to create a sense of depth and realism throughout his landscapes. In contrast, his sōsaku-hanga pieces embraced rustic simplicity, often featuring modern elements like metal truss bridges and electric transmission towers juxtaposed against traditional Japanese scenes. Throughout his career, Okuyama's dedication to printmaking saw him establish institutions like the Nihon Hanga Kenkyusho to support fellow artists, leaving behind a rich legacy in the Japanese art world.

Signature of the artist Gihachiro Okuyama