More Than Fifty Years of Introducing Japan's Finest Printmakers to the World
Since its founding in 1972, The Tolman Collection has become the world's leading publisher of contemporary Japanese prints. Often described as Japan's oldest foreign-owned gallery dedicated to contemporary Japanese printmaking, we have spent more than five decades building lasting relationships with artists, collectors, museums, and galleries across the globe.
Founded in 1972 by Norman and Mary Tolman, our gallery was established with a simple but ambitious mission: to introduce the finest contemporary Japanese artists to an international audience. Today that mission continues under the leadership of second-generation owner Allison Tolman, whose lifelong relationships with many of Japan's most celebrated artists continue the family's tradition of scholarship, personal service, and international outreach.
Representing nearly fifty artists, we have become a destination recommended by guidebooks, museums, collectors, and curators alike. Whether visitors are searching for an iconic print by a master artist or discovering an emerging talent, our gallery has earned a reputation for expertise, authenticity, and an unrivaled depth of inventory.
Fifty Years of Relationships
Our greatest asset has always been our close relationships with our artists.
Many of the printmakers we represent have worked with us for decades, some since the very beginning of their careers. These long friendships have allowed us to publish exclusive editions, preserve extensive archives, and offer works that cannot be found elsewhere.
Because we purchase directly from the artists and often acquire entire editions, collectors can buy with complete confidence in the provenance of every work. Our archives frequently allow us to locate prints that have long disappeared from the market, making The Tolman Collection a destination for both those discovering contemporary Japanese prints and seasoned collectors seeking rare and difficult-to-find ones. Just as importantly, the works that we show are in pristine condition.
Our bilingual staff, Eiji Nagao, Daisuke Maruoka, Shin Mochizuki, and Kiyo Fukuda, maintains close relationships with artists throughout Japan. Many artists continue to contact us before releasing new editions, allowing us to introduce important new works to collectors around the world as soon as they are completed.
A Global Reputation
Over the past five decades, The Tolman Collection has organized major exhibitions at distinguished cultural institutions around the world, including Tokyo's historic Zojoji Temple, the Singapore Art Museum, the Cairo Opera House, and Finland's renowned Retretti Art Centre, introducing contemporary Japanese printmaking to international audiences across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America, and helping to establish international appreciation for contemporary Japanese graphic art. Today our Tokyo gallery and our New York operation continue to serve collectors around the world.
Our commitment to education has always been as important as our commitment to sales. Founder Norman Tolman, together with Mary Tolman, authored several influential books on Japanese printmaking and collecting, contributed extensively to newspapers and journals, and became internationally recognized advocates for contemporary Japanese art. Their educational approach remains central to our philosophy today.
Among our proudest achievements has been our long association with artists such as Toko Shinoda, for whom The Tolman Collection published hundreds of exclusive editions over more than forty years, helping to introduce her work to collectors and museums around the world.
The Second Generation
For Allison Tolman, The Tolman Collection has truly been a lifelong endeavor.
Raised in Tokyo among the artists whose work now defines the gallery, Allison has known many of Japan's leading printmakers since childhood. After graduating from Yale University, and a brief stint as a news anchor for Asahi Television, she established The Tolman Collection of New York and has spent more than three decades advising private collectors, corporations, and museums while exhibiting at major art fairs throughout the United States.
Today Allison serves as Owner of The Tolman Collection, continuing the vision established by her parents while expanding the gallery's international reach. Working closely with the experienced Tokyo staff, she continues the family's commitment to scholarship, artist relationships, and exceptional client service.
Continuing Norman Tolman's Legacy
Norman H. Tolman devoted more than fifty years to championing contemporary Japanese prints. His passion transformed what began as a small gallery into an internationally respected institution that has introduced countless collectors to the richness of modern Japanese printmaking.
Although Norman passed away in 2025, his oversized personality and business philosophy continue to guide every aspect of The Tolman Collection. His belief that galleries should educate as well as sell, support artists for the long term, and cultivate warm and lasting relationships with collectors remains the foundation of our work.
How We Operate
Our artists have always considered the gallery a welcoming place to gather, and visitors are often fortunate enough to meet the creators behind the works on display. Conversations with artists have been a hallmark of the gallery for decades, giving collectors a deeper understanding of both the artwork and the people who created it.
Whether you are purchasing your first Japanese print or adding to an established collection, our team is committed to helping you find works that will bring lasting enjoyment for years to come.
A Team Built on Experience
One of The Tolman Collection's greatest strengths has always been its remarkable staff. Their combined knowledge of contemporary Japanese printmaking is the product of many decades at the gallery and much time spent working directly with the artists themselves. This depth of experience allows them not only to authenticate and advise with confidence, but also to share the stories, history, and personal connections that give each work of art its unique context. For many of our artists and clients alike, The Tolman Collection is more than a gallery: it is an extended family, built on trust, friendship, and a shared passion for Japanese art.
For more than fifty years, The Tolman Collection has been dedicated to preserving, promoting, and sharing the finest contemporary Japanese prints with collectors around the world. We look forward to welcoming you to our gallery.