Hiroshi Yoshida

Japanese, 1876-1950

Hiroshi Yoshida is widely regarded as a master of shin-hanga, the early 20th-century Japanese printmaking movement that revitalized traditional woodblock techniques through a modern lens. Born in Kurume, Fukuoka, Yoshida was adopted into a family of artists and trained in both traditional Japanese and Western painting styles. His early education in Kyoto and Tokyo laid the groundwork for a career that would blend classical discipline with international perspective.

Yoshida traveled extensively, across the United States, Europe, India, and Southeast Asia, capturing a wide range of subjects with a refined sensitivity to light, atmosphere, and place. Though he initially collaborated with publisher Shōzaburō Watanabe, Yoshida later established his own studio in Tokyo, maintaining rare creative control over every stage of production, from design to printing. This autonomy allowed him to push the boundaries of the medium.

His woodblock prints are noted for their rich color gradations, precise carving, and restrained composition. From serene Japanese landscapes to international landmarks such as the Grand Canyon and the Taj Mahal, Yoshida’s works offer a global vision through a distinctly Japanese aesthetic. Today, his prints remain highly sought after by collectors for their technical mastery, compositional elegance, and enduring sense of place.