Fujiki Kikumaro

Fujiki Kikumaro 藤木喜久麿 (?-1961) 

BIOGRAPHY

Sources: Guide to Modern Japanese Woodblock Prints: 1900-1975, Helen Merritt, University of Hawaii Press, 1992, p. 18, 近代日本版 画家名 (1900-1945) [Artist Names: Modern Japanese Printmakers], Hanga-do, Tokyo http://www.hanga-do.com/img/Hangadomeiran107B.pdf [accessed 8-29-24]

Fujiki was a student of the shin hanga print designer Hashiguchi Goyō (1880-1921) who, it is said, asked him on his deathbed to complete the printing of his work titled Portrait of the Shinbashi geisha Hisae [also titled Woman Holding a Hand Towel]. Merritt notes that Fujiki participated in the first two Nihon Sōsaku-Hanga Kyōkai exhibitions in 1919 and 1920.  Fujiki also contributed illustrations to the magazine Suburbs (郊外), published from 1923 into 1929, one of which is pictured below.

According to the Hanga-do compilation of biographies of modern Japanese printmakers, in August 1916 (Taisho 5), Fujiki opened the "Fujiki Art Shop" in Kanda. His work gained recognition when he exhibited "Acrobatic Woman" (曲芸の女) at the 1st Exhibition of the Japan Creative Print Association in 1919. The following year, he exhibited "The Mountain" (山) at the 2nd Exhibition. Fujiki also published "The Island Woman" in the 4th issue of the Kobe print magazine HANGA (December 1924).

During the Taisho period, when Goyo Hashiguchi was residing in Akasaka and actively producing prints, Fujiki served as an assistant to Hashiguchi until his death in 1921. One notable example of his contribution is Hashiguchi's final print, "Woman Holding a Hand Towel," which was completed under Fujiki's guidance while Hashiguchi was bedridden.

After Hashiguchi's death, Fujiki referred to himself as "Hashiguchi's disciple." It is speculated that Fujiki later became involved with the activities of the Attic Museum, under the patronage of Keizo Shibusawa, where he engaged in the research and study of folklore-related materials. His death year, 1961, is referenced in the digital version of "The Biographical Materials of Shibusawa Eiichi" (Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Foundation).

last revision: 8-29-24

Prints in Collection

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