Tatsuo Ichien was born in Aichi Prefecture in 1948. From an early age, he gained attention in the contemporary art scene through his participation in the 17th to 20th Gutai Art Exhibitions between 1966 and 1968. He graduated from the Department of Aesthetics at Kwansei Gakuin University in 1971, and went on to receive numerous awards, including the Newcomer’s Prize at the Kansai Kokuga-kai Exhibition in 1973 and an Honorable Mention at the 3rd International Print Triennial in 1980.
Ichien carries on the tradition of Japanese woodblock printing while developing his own unique style. By simplifying forms and colors, he creates rich, expressive compositions that highlight the subtle shifts and delicate movements inherent in the medium. Drawing inspiration from nature, human figures, and memories, his work evokes quiet poetry and a sense of life within the everyday.
Ichien also taught at the woodblock print studios of Osaka University of Arts and Kyoto City University of Arts, contributing to the growth of contemporary printmaking in Japan, especially in the Kansai region. From the 1960s to the present, he has remained a prominent figure in the field of Japanese print art.
