Shigeru Hatsuyama

(Japan), 1897-1973

Born in Tokyo, Japan. After graduating from elementary school, he began working at a pattern painting studio and later studied Japanese painting under Sengai Ikawa. Hatsuyama attracted attention with his cover illustration for the children’s magazine Otogi no Sekai (Fairy World) in 1919. Since then, he gained widespread recognition as an illustrator for children with his works for such picture magazines as Kodomo no Kuni (Children’s Land). In 1927, along with Takeo Takei, Kiichi Okamoto, and other artists, he formed the Japan Association of Illustrators for Children. During World War II, as work for children’s books declined sharply, Hatsuyama focused on creating woodblock prints. In 1946, he and others founded the Japan Association of Illustrations for Children. His representative books include Osoba no Kuki wa naze Akai (Why Are Stems of Buckwheat Red?: Folktales from Japan) (1954) and Mozu (Shrikes) (1954).

From Haru no Hakobi (Delivery of Spring)

1962 / Watercolor, / left: 384 mm × 348, right: 384 mm × 388 mm.

Two Yachts

1962 / Watercolor, / 545 mm × 385 mm.

From Ningyohime (The Little Mermaid)

1967 / Watercolor, / 230 mm × 256 mm.

From Ningyohime (The Little Mermaid)

1967 / Watercolor, / 383 mm × 545 mm.

Kotori no Fukiyose (A Drift of Birds)

1962 / Watercolor, / 383 mm × 545 mm.

Goldfish, Cup, and Vase (cropped)

1966 / Watercolor, / 385 mm × 275 mm.