Iizuka Shōkansai (1919 - 2004)

Iizuka Shōkansai was the second son of the celebrated bamboo master Iizuka Rōkansai. He graduated from Tokyo School of Fine Arts in 1942, having specialised in oil painting. After serving his country in World War II and following the untimely death in 1943 of his older brother, who was a bamboo artist, he began an apprenticeship under his father. In 1949, he assumed his deceased brother’s art name, Shōkansai. He presented his work at the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (Nitten) starting in 1947 and received prizes in 1953, 1954 (The Grand Prize) and 1960 (The Chrysanthemum Award). He also exhibited at the Japanese Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition and was awarded the Minister of Education’s Prize in 1974. His works are notable for the innovative use of techniques such as bundle plaiting and sō (informal) plaiting. He was designated a Living National Treasure in 1982, the second bamboo artist to attain this prestigious status.