Namiki follows the sosaku hanga (creative prints) tradition, carving and printing the blocks himself. His works are released in strictly limited editions, numbered and signed by the artist. He finds inspiration in nature, creating luminous, contemplative works that demonstrate careful observation and a true reverence for the world around him.

Early life

Hajime Namiki was born in 1947 in Tokyo, and originally trained as a sculptor. He began studying sculpture with Shigeru Ogura in 1965 and joined the Japanese Sculpture Association in 1974. Namiki began creating woodblock prints in 1978.

Woodblock printing

Namiki's signature works are printed in oil-based pigments on a background of silver or gold leaf on handmade Torinoko paper, which creates a beautifully reflective surface that changes with light levels and viewing angles. Namiki's most famous and striking subjects are his nature scenes. Fascinated by trees, he masterfully captures their majesty and beauty in a modern style. Other favorite subjects include Mt. Fuji and dragons, and some of his earliest prints are of flowers.

Namiki has exhibited his woodblocks widely throughout Japan and internationally. He has shown regularly at the annual College Women's Association of Japan Print Show in Tokyo, an international showcase for Japanese contemporary prints. His works are included in the collections of the White House, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the New Orleans Museum of Art.