Itozono Wasaburō
Year unknown
Oil on canvas
From Mr. I’s Collection
Itozono Wasaburō
1911-2001
Born in Oita Prefecture. Itozono studied at the Kawabata Gagakkō (Kawabata School of Paintint). He was impressed by Maeda Kanji’s work and thus joined the Maeda Shajitsu Kenkyūsho (Maeda Institute of Realism). Selected for an exhibition of the 1930 Society, the Shunyo Art Exhibition and the Dokuritsu Bijutsu Kyōkai. In 1943, he participated in the formation of the Shinjin Gakai, which was formed during the Pacific War to allow for independent, expressive activities despite the rigid limits of the time. Later, he joined the Nihon Bijutsukai and the Jiyū Bijutsu Kyokai (Free Artists Association). In his later years, he became unaffiliated. His early works were destroyed in the war. Characterized by a warm, humanistic style, he continued to create despite almost losing sight in both eyes.