Shiro Kasamatsu

Kasamatsu Shiro (笠松 紫浪, 1898-1991) was a Japanese artist known for his woodblock prints in the Shin-Hanga and Sōsaku-Hanga movements. Kasamatsu is known for his subtle landscapes and urban scenes.
Born in Asakusa, Tokyo, Kasamatsu showed artistic talent early on. He trained as a painter under Kaburagi Kiyokata, a leading artist in the Shin-Hanga movement. Kasamatsus started his artitstic career in traditional Japanese aesthetics and technique, which is evident in his early woodblock prints. Kiyokata encouraged Kasamatsu to collaborate with Watanabe Shōzaburō; this partnership resulted in some of Kasamatsu's most iconic works, featuring peaceful landscapes and scenes of Japanese life that are appreciated by both Japanese and international audiences.
During his Shin-Hanga period, Kasamatsu created compositions that were printed by skilled craftsmen, the use of subtle shades of color and lines reflecting the Shin-Hanga movement's emphasis on craftsmanship and collaborative process. During the 1950s, Kasamatsu began to seek creative freedom, leading to his transition to the Sōsaku-Hanga movement, which emphasized the direct involvement of the artist in every step of the printmaking process, from design to carving and printing. This shift allowed him to experiment with new techniques and motifs, resulting in a more personal expression. In his Sōsaku-Hanga prints, Kasamatsu maintained his focus on landscapes and traditional themes but adopted a bolder, more abstract style. He explored texture and color in new ways in his later works.
Kasamatsu's transition from Shin-Hanga to Sōsaku-Hanga was a significant turning point in his career, and he is one of the small group of artists who successfully navigated both movements. His Shin-Hanga works are celebrated for their technical precision and lyrical beauty, while his Sōsaku-Hanga works are appreciated for their individuality and innovative spirit.