The works of the internationally acclaimed printmaker Shiko Munakata[1903-1975], known as 'Munakata of the World', remain very popular today. There are three regions where Munakata lived in, or created in, which each had a great influence shaping Munakata as an artist: Aomori, Tokyo, Toyama. In April 1945, he evacuated to the town of Fukumitsu [modern-day Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture], where he spent six years and eight months. During that time, he produced important works [prints, and Nikuhitsuga paintings] which were a turning point in his creative work.

In commemoration of the 120th anniversary of Munakata's birthday, various museums in the relevant regions [our museum, Aomori Museum of Art and The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo] will co-host this exhibition, in which we introduce a wide range of Munakata's works based on his relationship with the relevant regions, and we will rethink what kind of artist Shiko Munakata was.