Japanese graphic artist Tanaka Ryōhei (1933-2019) created over 770 etchings during his life, finding his subjects predominantly in rural Japan. Tanaka’s detailed, almost hyper-realistic etchings show the gradually disappearing farmhouses with thatched roofs, barns, and houses. But his favoured motifs also included trees and rice fields, as well as temple roofs and gardens. Japan’s tradition in the making of prints dates back a long way. While woodblock prints from the 18th to early 20th century have been the focus of numerous exhibitions and publications, much less attention has been paid to prints and etchings from the post-war period. This publication is the first German-language monographic work dedicated to the life and work of Tanaka Ryōhei, focusing on those aspects of Japanese print history that are still less familiar today. The book contains a detailed introduction to the technique of etching and presents over 150 works by the artist, inviting us to immerse ourselves in the tranquillity and harmony of the Japanese landscape.






Japanese etchings from the post-war period – Tanaka Ryōhei reveals the world of Japan’s disappearing landscapes
First publication in German to accompany the first major retrospective exhibition in Germany
Exhibition: Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst, Cologne, 29.11.2024–14.04.2025