Muhoan - Hirosuke Watanuki

  In 1956, after he graduated from the Department of political Sciences of Kwansei Gakuin
University Graduate School, Mr. Watanuki left for portugal where he attended Lisbon University to University Graduate School, Mr. Watanuki left for portugal where he attended Lisbon University to
study the history of diplomacy. He was then the first Japanese student who studied abroad since the study the history of diplomacy. He was then the first Japanese student who studied abroad since the
Second World War. Second World War.
Based in Portugal and Spain for 15 years, he visited many countries in Europe, Africa and South Based in Portugal and Spain for 15 years, he visited many countries in Europe, Africa and South
America. During this period, he switched his career from diplomatic history to art, and became part America. During this period, he switched his career from diplomatic history to art, and became part
of an artistic circle in Southern Europe. Thirty-nine of his artworks are now housed in museums in of an artistic circle in Southern Europe. Thirty-nine of his artworks are now housed in museums in
Europe and Africa including the National Museum of Modern Art in Lisbon, and several scores of Europe and Africa including the National Museum of Modern Art in Lisbon, and several scores of
books of his paintings have been published. books of his paintings have been published.
Mr. Watanuki believes that “ the way of living is the essence of art ”. Mr. Watanuki believes that "the way of living is the essence of art".
To him, painting, ceramic art, or glass, etc are modes of expressing his sensitivity and his world. To him, painting, ceramic art, or glass, etc are modes of expressing his sensitivity and his world.
Influenced by the spirit of zen and tea ceremony, his design perfectly embodies Influenced by the spirit of zen and tea ceremony, his design perfectly embodies
the 'wabi', 'sabi', 'shibusa', and 'kan'. Passionate by the origin of words and characters, he acquired the 'wabi', 'sabi', 'shibusa', and 'kan'. Passionate by the origin of words and characters, he acquired
expertise through years of study and use of Ancient Chinese characters and poems, zen writing expertise through years of study and use of Ancient Chinese characters and poems, zen writing
and the Analects of Confucius. Muhoan, is certainly a fascinating, playful world of words and and the Analects of Confucius. Muhoan, is certainly a fascinating, playful world of words and
characters. characters.
With his wide range of work that includes design, seal engraving, pottery, glass art, architecture, With his wide range of work that includes design, seal engraving, pottery, glass art, architecture,
garden design, poetry and prose, calligraphy, Japanese paper, sculpture, dyeing, textiles, the way garden design, poetry and prose, calligraphy, Japanese paper, sculpture, dyeing, textiles, the way
of tea and sweets served at a tea ceremony, Mr. Watanuki continues genuinely to develop and of tea and sweets served at a tea ceremony, Mr. Watanuki continues genuinely to develop and
spread “ Muhoan's artistic world ”. spread "Muhoan's artistic world".