Yashitoshi Mori

Yoshitoshi Mori (義利, October 31, 1898 - May 29, 1992)  was a Japanese artist who specialized in kappazuri stencil prints.  He was involved in the Mingei Movement and one of the key artists of the Sōsaku Hanga movement.  

Yoshitoshi is said to have influenced several major 20th century print artists including Shikō Munakata and Hiromitsu Takahashi.  His works generally depict scenes from Japanese kabuki theatre or subjects related to folk traditions and festivals. Mori is known for using earthy colors in his work and for often positioning his figures in a somewhat contorted and dynamic mass.

Yoshitoshi exhibited his works in numerous one-man shows in Japan in the 1960s and took part in thirty international exhibitions between 1957 and 1977. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Maryland University in 1984 and was formally honored by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.  He passed away on May 29, 1992 immediately following the end of what would be his final one-man gallery show held at the Wako Gallery in Tokyo.