Kiyoshi Saito (1907-1997) was a largely self-taught Japanese artist. He started out as a sign maker then painter, but found his true calling in woodblock printing.
His blocks were often created out of a single piece of wood, and I love how you can clearly see the pattern of the grain in many of his prints – adding an extra dimension to the of the composition.
He is credited with being one of the founders of the early 20th century Sōsaku-hanga movement where the maker was artist, carver, printer and publisher rather than stages of the creative process being divided up between different craftsmen. In 1967, his woodcut print of Prime Minister Eisaku Sato was the cover image on Time Magazine.
Works by Kiyoshi Saitō are sometimes available on 1stDibs, eBay and Etsy. However, they appear for sale more regularly at auction.
There are two monographs of his work, Wood Cut Prints and Masterful Images: the Art of Kiyoshi Saito.
Saitō’s Atelier-Kan (private studio) in Yanaizu is open to the public; his work tables for woodcutting, engraving knives and other items are displayed and kept just as they were during his own lifetime. A 5-minute walk away is the Kiyoshi Saito Museum of Art whose collection includes around 1,000 artworks and related material.
Additional image credits:
Mutual Art