Tomiyuki Kaneko
"Red Tiger" "Blue Tiger"
Based in Yamagata, Tomiyuki Kaneko is an up-and-coming artist whose works portray an ethereal universe of spirits, monstrous creatures and divine beings. Through traditional woodcut printing techniques, Mr. Kaneko's universe of divine beasts has now been brought to life in brilliant colors as "Red Tiger/Blue Tiger."
Template drawing and directions by Mr. Kaneko.
The wave pattern in the background is an expression of pulsating energy.
The black sun is symbolic of the mother's womb of light and resurrection.
The momentum of the brushstrokes are kept alive in the carved printing block.
Printed individually by hand, each ukiyo-e displays the vivid colors that are a unique feature of woodcut prints.
Mr. Kaneko's seal is placed on the lower corner of the picture.
A signature in Mr. Kaneko's own hand is written in the margin.
The ukiyo-e is printed on Echizen kizuki hosho washi (a unique kind of Japanese paper) handmade from 100% paper-mulberry fibers by Ichibei Iwano, a living national treasure.
Sharply focused on the point of the knife,the carver brings out the energetic and awe-inspiring figure of the tiger
Mr. Kaneko's vibrant lines are carved out rhythmically. With extreme focus and precision, the carver keeps true to the artist's brushwork and uses a single knife to carve the lines.
A beautiful contrast of red and blue
born from materials and techniques
unique to Japan
The bright and airy colors unique to traditional woodcut prints are made by using a baren rubbing pad to press water-based pigment inks into the fibers of traditional Japanese handcrafted paper made from paper-mulberry pulp. The red and blue contrast of the beautiful prints is absolutely mesmerizing.
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Tomiyuki Kaneko
As I am an artist based in Japanese-style painting, it was a great pleasure for me to have my work completed with traditional woodcut printing techniques. When I first saw the woodcut print created from my work I felt there was a certain maturity to it, which I believe comes from the aura and atmosphere carried on by the long history of woodcut prints. I have been wary of being swallowed up by the persuasive consciousness of the masses but have also felt the need for harmony. This experience has shown me tradition as a solid guiding principle, and I have renewed my resolve to hold firm to my core beliefs as I create works of art.
Born in 1978. Presently resides in Yamagata Prefecture. Completed doctoral course at the Tohoku University of Art and Design Graduate School. Explores the theme of giving form to impalpable things, and focuses on capturing in two dimension such ethereal beings as monstrous creatures, spirits and divine beings. Past exhibitions include the 19th "DOMANI: The Art of Tomorrow" exhibition at the National Art Center, Tokyo (2018) and solo exhibition "Araburu Kamigami (Raging Gods)" at Mizuma Art Gallery (2017).
A pair of "Red Tiger" and "Blue Tiger"
- The Red Tiger ("Sekiko") protects the South, while the Blue Tiger ("Seiko") guards the East. Mr. Kaneko's unique world of divine beasts has been transformed into brilliantly colored traditional woodcut prints. The Red Tiger represents "yang" and the Blue Tiger symbolizes "yin," together governing the balance of the world as "yin and yang." The universe is governed by this ultimate balance. The symmetrical drawings of "Red Tiger/Blue Tiger" beautifully express this grand world view, which can be seen as the genesis of the world where all things are in balance in one another.
Frame: 52.0cm×68.5 cm, 2.8kg
Made of wood and acrylic (70% UV cut)
The framed print is shipped within 20 days from order confirmation.
Red Tiger
In China, the Red Tiger is a mystical creature that is often seen as a divine being and can replace the Vermillion Bird as the protector of the South. It is said that the Red Tiger has magical powers and can transform itself into a human being. Moreover, the Red Tiger represents "yang" and the Blue Tiger symbolizes "yin," together governing the balance of the world as "yin and yang." With a black sun in the background, the Red Tiger strikes a powerful pose and stares fixedly ahead, revealing the unwavering spirit and passion of Mr. Kaneko himself. This is a piece that fully expresses Mr. Kaneko's unique world of divine beasts.
- Limited Edition：
- 100
- Image Size：
- 33.1×23.2 cm
- Frame：
- 53.5cm×42.0 cm original frame
- Weight -
- 1.8kg, Made of wood and acrylic (70% UV cut)
- Technique：
- Ukiyo-e style woodcut print
- Paper：
- Echizen Kizuki Hosho Washi made by Living National Treasure, Ichibei Iwano,
- Publication Date：
- June 2019
- Supervised：
- The Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints
- Produced：
- The Adachi Foundation for the Preservation of Woodcut Printing
- Published：
- Mizuma Art Gallery
- Delivery：
- Within one week from order confirmation
Blue Tiger
In China, the Blue Tiger is a mystical creature that is often seen as a divine being and can replace the Azure Dragon as the protector of the East. As the Dragon Tiger, it has also been depicted as a symbol of power. Moreover, the Red Tiger represents "yang" and the Blue Tiger symbolizes "yin," together governing the balance of the world as "yin and yang." With a black sun in the background, the Blue Tiger strikes a powerful pose and stares fixedly ahead, revealing the unwavering spirit and passion of Mr. Kaneko himself. This is a piece that fully expresses Mr. Kaneko's unique world of divine beasts.
- Limited Edition：
- 100
- Image Size：
- 33.1×23.2 cm
- Frame：
- 53.5cm×42.0 cm original frame
- Weight -
- 1.8kg, Made of wood and acrylic (70% UV cut)
- Technique：
- Ukiyo-e style woodcut print
- Paper：
- Echizen Kizuki Hosho Washi made by Living National Treasure, Ichibei Iwano,
- Publication Date：
- June 2019
- Supervised：
- The Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints
- Produced：
- The Adachi Foundation for the Preservation of Woodcut Printing
- Published：
- Mizuma Art Gallery
- Delivery：
- Within one week from order confirmation
