| biography | Born and raised in Iwate, Funakoshi Yasutake was inspired to become a sculptor by the words of Rodin, and in 1934 entered the sculpture department of Tokyo Bijutsu Gakko (forerunner of Tokyo University of the Arts). In 1939 he joined Hongo Shin and others to establish the sculpture section of the Shinseisakuha Art Society. Baptized as a Catholic in 1950, Funakoshi produced numerous works grounded in his faith, winning the 5th Takamura Kotaro Prize in 1962 with “The 26 Martyrs of Nagasaki.” Deemed Japan’s premier sculptor in marble, his unique works, distinguished by refined formal clarity and profound spirituality, have left a significant mark on the history of modern Japanese sculpture. (FS) |
