Infused with a radiant light and vibrant luminescent color Akira Tokuda has been creating art for over 40 years that is both universally contemporary and traditionally Japanese. His work is abstract; expertly using bold and vibrant colors to create simple sophisticated prints. To produce his work he uses an etching embossed technique with hand added pastels. As an artist he has achieved an international reputation having been exhibited globally and winning awards in the USA, Europe and Japan.

Dragons, wild dogs, camels, flying squirrels and more! Real or imaginary, the entire gamete of the animal world was captured by the genius of the great ukiyo-e master Hokusai in his ehon illustrations. Ronin Gallery is pleased to present a selection of 22 of these Fantastical Animals. They exemplify his great brilliance as a draftsman, his keen observant eye, and daring mastery of unlimited styles.

One of the traditional arts of Japan, Ikebana or Japanese flower arranging originated in the 6th century from the Buddhist practice of offering flowers to the spirits. By the 15th century it had developed into a disciplined art form that united man and nature and became an integral part of Japanese culture. Ronin Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of early 20th century book illustrations of Selected Floral Arrangements from the Ohara School for Mother’s Day. Unlike most floral arrangements these prints are gifts that will be loved and appreciated for years to come. Each print is priced at $48 and will be specially gift wrapped with a handmade origami crane.

From the end of March through early May cherry trees or sakura bloom all over Japan. There are over four hundred different varieties of sakura trees in Japan and they have become one of the universal symbols of the country. To the Japanese people these blossoms are seen as an allegory for life, beautiful yet fleeting and ephemeral, the perfect subject for ukiyo-e, pictures of the floating world. Hanami or cherry blossom viewing festivals have been Japanese pastime since the Nara period (8th century) when the nobility would write poems about their delicate, fragile beauty. Ronin Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of 50 woodblock prints that portray the eternal beauty of the transitory cherry blossom.

Ronin Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of Kappazuri prints by Yoshitoshi Mori, one of the leading artists of Japan’s Sosaku Hanga movement. Kappazuri is a traditional Japanese printing technique using stencils. Yoshitoshi Mori’s work has a unique strength and purity of line that make them immediately recognizable. They depict the full gamete Japanese culture from warriors, courtesans, and kabuki actors to scenes of everyday life.

Ronin Gallery is pleased to present a collection of 50 watercolors illustrating birds and flowers. Nourished by the principles of Shinto and Buddhism, Japan’s reverence for the natural world is apparent in these charming, delicate renderings. Their elegant designs express a love of nature whose intimate beauty allows us to celebrate not only the poetry of each individual painting but the entire genre of Japanese nature studies.

The Ronin Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of theatrical prints by the Osaka artist Hokuei (active from1824 to his death in 1837). Osaka prints are known as kamigata-e or prints from the Osaka/Kamigata area of Japan that were produced from about 1820 to 1870. Osaka prints almost exclusively illustrated the Kabuki Theater and actors. They are distinguished by brilliant colors, dramatic compositions and the high quality of printing techniques used.

Mountains, seascapes and temples wrapped in a sensuous blanket of snow, warriors and courtesans bundled against the cold, birds stark against winter trees, and serene landscapes that invite you into a secluded and tranquil world are classic interpretations of winter. Ronin Gallery is pleased to present a selection of woodblock prints and etchings by artists from the 18th century through today that portray this most popular theme.

Ronin Gallery is pleased to present a selection of shunga prints by Isoda Koryusai. Shunga or as literally translated “Spring Pictures” are a genre of woodblock prints that depict the entire gamut of sensual pleasures. In the history of ukiyo-e there are few artists who can rival the independence and inventiveness of the great samurai artist, Isoda Koryusai. Little is know of his life. He was born into the samurai class but renounced his liege lord to become a masterless warrior, a “free spirit”, a ronin. Koryusai is best known for his bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women). They are seductive and have an evocative sensuality that reaches full articulation in the brilliantly orchestrated entanglements of his shunga prints.

Ronin Gallery is pleased to present 12 prints from Chikanobu’s series Setsugekka: Snow Moon and Flowers. The term Setsugekka is from a famous 9th century poem by Bo Juvi referring to the changing season: snow for winter, moon for autumn and cherry blossoms for spring. It is an beloved and reoccurring theme in Japanese art and an integral part of Japanese culture. These lyrical prints portray beautiful women and children during different times of the year. Subtly colored, beautifully printed and designed with a deep admiration and respect for Japanese beauty and history these prints are a joy to view.