Funakoshi Yasutake
Year unknown
Bronze
From Mr. I’s Collection
Funakoshi Yasutake
1912-2002
Born in Iwate Prefecture to a devoted Catholic father. Deeply moved by Takamura Kōtarō’s translation of “Rodin’s Words”, he set his sights on becoming a sculptor. During his time at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, he met sculptor Satō Chūryō and they formed a lifelong friendship, leading the post-war Japanese sculpture world together. He founded the sculpture division of the Shinseisaku Art Society. Many of his works were based on Christian faith or the ordeals of Christians. He was awarded the Takamura Kōtarō award for his commemorative monument at the Museum of 26 Martyrs of Japan in Nagasaki. In 1973, he was awarded the ‘Order of St. Gregory the Great’ from the Pope. He also produced many marble sculptures, though rare in Japan.