Hitoshi Karasawa

Born in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture in 1950, he has been a leading figure in wood engraving since his early twenties, remaining at the forefront of the art world. Known for his unique style that combines precision and fantasy, he has expanded his creative domain beyond printmaking to include painting, objects, and sculpture. He presides over "Azusa-cho-shitsu," a publishing workshop equipped with an 18th-century printing press, and personally publishes print collections and illustrated books. He also writes essays and novels, and has received high acclaim in the literary field, including winning the Shimotsuke Literary Prize for his mystery novel "Rondo."

In 2006, retrospective exhibitions were held at the Tochigi Prefectural Museum of Art and the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Modern Art.