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Kawanishi Hide (川西英) was born and worked in Kobe, an international port city that inspired much of his subject matter. He was employed as a postmaster, but his ancestors were merchants, particularly traders in sake, mirin, and shochu, which they transported to Tokyo in their fleet of ships. Kawanishi's family opposed his becoming involved in painting and printmaking.A self-taught artist, Kawanishi started painting in oils, but turned to woodblock printmaking after seeing a print by Yamamoto Kanae (A small bay in Brittany) displayed in a shop window in Osaka..." Rest of biography here
Sources:
BA Lampman blog
Gurafiku blog
My Japan pinterest board
