Saru Gallery
       Japanese Prints & Japanese Paintings

Biography Okuyama, Gihachirô (1907 - 1981)

Gihachirô Okuyama was an artist who became interested in Hanga at a very early age; He studied with Kôsaka Gajin in 1923, and also with the ukiyo-e expert Ishii Kendô at around the same time. He was also active as a poster designer, and in advertising generally.
He was a member of various associations of Hanga artists, and a founding member of Shin Hanga Kyôkai in 1942, together with Azechi Umetarô.
In 1954 he established his own workshop, known as Okuyama Hanga Kôbô, in Matsudo. In 1973 his son Gijin took over the management.
Gihachirô was a very prolific artist, producing more than 1000 designs.