Miezo Shimizu (1893-1962)
Miezo Shimizu was a Japanese artist born in Yokkaichi, Mie prefecture, who specialised in sculpture after graduating from the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. Around 1930, Shimizu expanded his artistic repertoire by designing a series of beauty prints titled "Twelve Months of Chikamatsu." This series is noted for its innovative blend of traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern design elements, depicting various scenes and characters inspired by the works of Chikamatsu Monzaemon, a famed Japanese dramatist. Shimizu's prints are celebrated for their intricate detail and vivid portrayal of early twentieth century Japanese life, capturing the cultural essence of the period through the lens of Chikamatsu's literary themes.