Kenichi Kuriyagawa
Kenichi Kuriyagawa left school at thirteen to paint cinema signs — the vast hand-lettered boards above theatre entrances in Sapporo and Otaru. He never went to art school. What he learned in those years was how a picture is composed for a screen: the long shot, the low horizon, the light falling hard across a scene. He spent the rest of his life applying it to Hokkaido.
He won the World Tourism Poster Competition in Lisbon in 1953, and again in Vienna in 1956. He drew bid posters for three Olympic Games. In 1967, out of more than seven thousand submissions, the prefecture chose his design for its flag — it still flies over Hokkaido. By the end they called him the father of Hokkaido design, and the island's museums hold over 250 of his works.
"I love the trees, the leaves, the flowers, the birds of my land, and I have a deep affection for every nameless wild plant and its modest, simple, delicate flower."
These silkscreens came late. He made them in 1988, at seventy-seven, having just come through eye surgery — the series was made, in his words, "while savoring the joy of regaining my eyesight."
Read Kuriyagawa's full story — and his own writing on the seasons of Hokkaido.
Virtual Exhibit
Learn more about Kenichi, the history of Hokkaido, read his descriptions of the four seasons, his silkscreen process, and see his famous posters.
Our Last Exhibit
In August 2025, Art House SF hosted Kenichi's first solo exhibit in our space in San Francisco. Take a look at some of photos and videos from it.
Available Artwork
See our entire collection of Kenichi's artwork. All prints are shipped from Japan to our art gallery in San Francisco. They were framed in Sapporo, Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions:
| Is this artwork original? | How is it framed? |
|
Check the "Technique" field above: Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, or Fabric — a unique, one-of-a-kind original, delivered to us directly by the artist and framed in California. Handmade Woodblock Print, Silkscreen, Etching, or Lithograph — an original print. The artist carved or cut the matrix and pulled each impression by hand; there is no painting it was copied from. Each is signed and numbered by the artist within a limited edition. Fine Art Print, Giclée, Canvas Print, or Metal Print — a high-quality, museum-grade reproduction of an original work fabricated here in San Francisco. |
Check the "Framing" field above for this piece. The design is our own — museum-grade, archival, and always real wood, never veneer or composite. The species suits the work — cherry, ash, maple, oak, poplar, or hinoki cypress. Chosen per artist, not to a house style. Where it's made — Kuriyagawa's and Namiki's frames are made in Japan. Everything else is framed in the United States, from hardwood milled by a third-generation family workshop that supplies exhibition frames to museums. Every piece arrives ready to hang, with hardware and a level included. |
| Can you help me visualize the artwork? | How do I buy an artwork I like? |
|
Send us a photo of your wall and we'll place the artwork into it, to scale, so you can see exactly how it looks in your room. No charge, no obligation. Want to see more? We'll send a video of the piece from every angle. Email us — or see examples on our YouTube channel. |
Add to Cart and check out securely on the site. We take credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Shop Pay. Or just email us. We'll answer any questions and send an invoice — no account needed. |
| Can you help me install the artwork? | What's your return policy? |
|
In the SF Bay Area — yes, in person. We'll deliver and hang it for you, free of charge. Just ask. Anywhere else — every package includes what you need: hanging hardware, a level, and a microfiber cloth. Everything arrives ready to hang. |
30 days, no questions asked — on original paintings and on original prints. Return it in its original condition and we'll issue a full refund, less return shipping. The one exception — fine art prints and giclées are made to order for you, so those sales are final. |
| Do you ship internationally? | How long will my order take? |
|
Yes, worldwide. We've shipped to Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, Germany and the UK, all delivered without incident. Typical cost is $60–$140 via UPS, with delivery in about two weeks. Rates are calculated at checkout. Any duties or import taxes are paid by the customer on delivery. Not sure? Email us for an estimate before you order. |
In stock — ships in 1–3 business days. Then 2–3 days to arrive on the West Coast, 5–7 days elsewhere in the US. Made to order — about two weeks. Fine art prints and giclées are printed for you, so allow 10–14 days before shipping. Everything goes UPS, tracked. You'll get a tracking number when it leaves us. |
