金子邦生 Kunio Kaneko (1949-Present)

Mokuhanga’s Human Connection: The Prints of Kunio Kaneko

Kunio Kaneko (b. 1949) graduated from Musashino Art University and studied under two giants of postwar woodblock printmaking: 星襄一 Joichi Hoshi and 笹島喜平 Sasajima Kihei. Drawing on their influence, he developed a refined style rooted in traditional mokuhanga (木版画), carving and printing each work entirely by hand using a traditional baren. Working from his Tokyo studio, Kaneko draws on familiar aspects of Japanese life and culture, often enriching his prints with gold and silver leaf.

Known for his use of metallic leaf, Kaneko brings brightness and depth whilst honouring classical technique. A veteran grounded in postwar traditions, his prints remain contemporary in tone and accessible to a broad audience - often working in small & varied formats of recurring motifs such as: Geta, Kimono, Tabi, Koi, Koinobori, & Fuji forming recognisable and collectable bodies of work. His prints carry a sense of warmth and quiet optimism, reflecting a desire to communicate love and human connection through the handmade image.

An esteemed member of the Japan Print Association (日本版画会), Kaneko has exhibited widely in Japan, South Korea, and the United States. He is a long-standing contributor to the College Women’s Association of Japan (CWAJ) annual print show and has held solo exhibitions in Tokyo, Kanagawa, and New York, as well as group shows in Kyoto, Chiba, and Seoul. Deeply committed to preserving the spirit of mokuhanga, Kaneko invites viewers to reconnect with its enduring, human touch.