渡辺禎雄 SADAO WATANABE (1913-1996)

Sadao Watanabe is Japan’s foremost Christian artist of the 20th century, renowned for his vibrant 合羽摺 (kappa-zuri) stencil prints on beautiful hand-crumpled 揉紙 (momigami) papers. A dedicated student of 型染 katazome master 芹沢銈介 Keisuke Serizawa (1895-1984) and 柳 宗悦 Yanagi Soetsu, (1889-1961), founders of the 民芸 (mingei) folk craft movement, Watanabe devoted his life to studying the Bible. His printmaking captures Christian biblical stories in a form which blends traditional Japanese printing techniques, 民芸 (mingei) folk style, & inspiration from religious artefacts.

Quietly charming and endearing, Watanabe gained acclaim for renowned works such as アブラハムの物語 (The Story of Abraham), ルツ物語 (Story of Ruth), and 青銅の蛇 (The Bronze Serpent). Celebrated internationally, his distinctive biblical figures, characterised by their long faces and beautifully rich pigments, are featured in prestigious collections around the world, including the MoMA in New York, the National Museum of Art in Tokyo, and the British Museum. Furthermore, his works are held by the Vatican Museum for Modern Religious Art, and are said to have adorned the walls of the White House!

The SadaoHanga Catalogue: Compiled by Mr Jan J. Catsburg: The most comprehensive & complete public catalogue of works by Sadao Watanabe.

Great Read: Article by Sacred Art Pilgrim Collector, John A. Kohan - Profound Faith, Profound Beauty: The Life and Art of Sadao Watanabe.