Shiko Munakata
Originally inspired to be a Western-style painter by the works of Vincent van Gogh, Shiko Munakata eventually followed the path of woodblock printmaking instead. His love for the Nebuta Festival of his hometown, Aomori, expresses itself in the color choices for his works. His body of work primarily comprises woodblock prints, and also includes a number of hand-painted works in a style he called Yamato-ga. Munakata achieved many great things, including winning first prize at the Bienal de São Paulo (São Paulo Art Biennial) and the Grand Prix at the La Biennale di Venezia (Venice Biennale). Furthermore, he was honored with the Japanese Imperial Order of Culture.