Film: Oshin The Soul of the Cherry Blossoms/桜心: 能登を愛した孤高の絵師

Saturday, 3/28/2026
2:00 - 3:30
Koret Auditorium
Main Library

100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States

415-557-4400

Enjoy the documentary of an artist named Katsuta Shinpyō ( 勝田深氷) who worked both in Japan and in San Francisco.

Shinpyō studied drawing under his father, Itō Shinsui (伊東深水), known as the last ukiyo-e artist, and the Western-style painter Koito Gentarō (小糸源太郎). Shinpyō was a painter who was part of the ukiyo-e school that traces back to Mizuno Toshikata (水野年方), Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (月岡芳年), and even Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳). He has established bases of operations (Shōtōan/勝東庵) in San Francisco and Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture. His techniques, style and work, which inherit the traditional techniques and spirit of Japanese painting, are unique in the contemporary art world, and perhaps the term "artist" is more appropriate than "Japanese painter," in the sense that he has mastered a particular art form and made it his livelihood.

The documentary was created by the Ishikawa Television, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. 

Shinpyo's Work at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco: Blossoming mountain cherry trees (2001)

NR, 53 mins., 2014. Closed captions (CC) in English.

Connect:

Katsuta Shinpyō - Website | Katsuta Shinpyō's Page at the Asian Art Museum - Website

Art, Architecture & Photography

Learn from world-class designers, artists and experts in their fields. 

Japanese Interest

Connect to engaging discussions and performances related to the Japanese community and culture.

Spotlight

This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Attending Programs

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This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

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