The Salad Bowl. Vol. IV, No. 10. Oct. 1996. p. 1, 2.
Shizuoka Profiles:
Hirano Fuzan 
**Born
in 1911 in Shizuoka Japan, Hirano Fuzan started studying sculpture in
earnest at the age of 17 in Tokyo under Ikeno
Tessen. Later, he worked with Satou
Hiragushii and his 1943 work Soshi achieved
widespread acclaim.
平野In 1961 a large
exhibition of Hirano's works was held in Tokyo . European exhibitions followed in 1966, 69, and 71. In 1984 his
sculpture Hagoromo was placed on permanent display in the
lobby of Shimizu City Hall. Today Hirano's works can be seen around
many locations around Shizuoka City as well as the Sano Toseki Art Museum.
**Throughout
his career, Hirano drew extensively on Buddhist and Shinto motifs. He
was fascinated with mythology and Middle-Eastern imagery. Though he
produced a number of metal and marble works, Hirano's real love was
wood. Most of his works exhibit precise, clean lines - a testament to
his patience. Hirano's wooden works are all painted with exactitude.
In many respects a traditionalist rather than innovator, Hirano
aspired to attain the same standards of artistic craftsmanship as
earlier masters
**In 1989
Hirano Fuzan passed away at the age of 78. His oldest son, Senri, continues his father's footsteps as an
outstanding sculptor. Hirano has also inspired other talented artists
such as Kobayashi Mieko.
- Tim Newfields**
www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Field/1087/sb/hira.htm
Copyright (c) 1996 by Tim Newfields and the Shizuoka City International Association