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Koukei Tsuruya

July 1946
Biography
Born in Chigasaki City, Kanagawa and raised in Nishi-waseda, Tokyo
An independent artist, whose father and grandfather were both painters. The latter is Nakazawa Hiromitsu (1874-1964)

September 1978 -
Biography
Debuted as a woodblock artist of actor prints at Kabukiza Theatre
Prints were produced based on scenes from rehearsals and first days of performances held at Kabukiza Theatre.
The production was finished in 10-15 days and prints went on sale during the second half of performances lasting 25 days.
The audience purchased the prints on-site.

August 2000
Biography
Completion of the actor prints production
11,332 prints of 200 works including portraits were produced in 22 years.
The prints were first purchased by a collector Oliver Statler in the early 1980s, followed by an art dealer Robert Sawers and the British Museum.
Other owners of over 100 works:
-Shochiku Otani Library *complete collection of actor prints
-Hiraki Ukiyo-e Foundation *complete collection of actor prints
-Waseda University Theatre Museum

2002 - 2008
Biography
Release of works including a series of 12 self-portraits and 7 works of "Lonliness"

2011 - 2012
Biography
Release of the Fans in Stream Trilogy "Cat Kabuki"
Sukeroku, Shibaraku and Chushingura

2013 - 2016
Biography
Release of the series "Five Subjects Dedicated to Arcimboldo"
Cat, Dog, Insect, Kumadori and Dragon

2017 - 2020
Biography
Release of the series "Five Styles of Banzai-Ukiyoe"
Hokusai, Kuniyoshi, Hiroshige, Kunisada and Yoshitoshi