Art Space Japan: Nakamura Jin

Based in the popular mountain resort town of Karuizawa, Nakamura Jin / ナカムラ ジン is a versatile contemporary artist who blends traditional art styles and motifs with modern influences and pop culture references into a seductive world of imagery. In doing so, his artwork straddles two worlds and appeals to a broad audience. Japanese viewers will be immediately familiar with Nakamura’s skilled execution of traditional methods including ‘nihonga’ (traditional Japanese painting), ‘hanga’ (woodcut printing), and ‘byoubu-e’ (painted folded screens), along with ceramics and sculpture.

While international audiences may be less familiar with such artforms, Nakamura’s skill imbues his art with a unique liveliness and his amalgamation of traditional motifs and pop culture makes his work accessible to international audiences and appeals to both Japanese and non-Japanese viewers alike.

Born in 1959 in Nagano Prefecture, Nakamura Jin studied Fine Arts at Shinshu University, graduating in 1984. While his study focused on contemporary metal craft, Nakamura has established himself as a highly versatile artist employing a unique application of traditional artforms across multiple methods including metalwork, painting, woodcut printing, and ceramics.

Nakamura’s work encapsulates an equally diverse range of influences drawn from a prolonged timescale – from Japan’s Neolithic origins during its ‘Jomon’ period, through to classical artforms and motifs first introduced from China, real-life and historic locations from his home region of Nagano, Shinto and Buddhist beliefs and legend,and Japanese folklore to contemporary culture including characters from film, anime and manga that will be recognisable to both Japanese and international audiences.

One of Nagano’s most exciting contemporary artists, Nakamura Jin’s work occupies a unique art space, with his paintings, prints, sculpture and ceramics in high demand while his designs transform everyday items including ‘tenugui’ (hand towels) and clothing into treasured keepsakes. We are proud to introduce you to Nakamura Jin and hope you enjoy losing yourself in the immersive, phantasmagorical world he has created for us.

We are proud to stock Nakamura Jin’s creative work through our online store and Snow Monkey Resorts Info & Shop at the Jigokudani Monkey Park.