Shimura TATSUMI 志村立美 (1907-1980) ✿

Shimura TATSUMI 志村立美 (1907-1980) is known for designing several striking bijin-ga prints towards the end of the shin hanga movement. Born in Takasaki, Gunma, Shimura's real name was Sentaro. In 1921, he began studying art with Yamakawa Saiho, a well-known llustrator. Three years later, he became an apprentice of Saiho's son, Yamakawa Shuho, who was also a bijin-ga artist and print designer. Shimura exhibited paintings with Kyodotai in 1927 and with Seikinkai in 1938. He became known for his paintings of beautiful women with long eyelashes and blurred pupils. From 1948 to 1952, Shimura designed several woodblock prints of beauties that were published by Kato Junji. Later he collaborated with the Japanese Institute of Prints to create a series called "Five figures of modern beauties" (Gendai bijin fuzoku gotai). These prints were published in 1953 in editions of 200. They depict Japanese women in traditionally feminine poses and attire. The finely detailed figures are juxtaposed against very simple backgrounds. Shimura devoted his career entirely to Nihonga, or Japanese style painting.