Tanaka Ikko

Ikko Tanaka (born in 1930) is one of the established masters of Japanese graphic design. His work draws together influences from East and West, acknowledging the vocabulary of European Modernism while remaining characteristically Japanese. Inspired by sources as diverse as traditional Japanese illustration techniques and his passion for American jazz, he is renowned for numerous cultural posters and programmes for theatre and ballet, many for Kanze Noh Drama.

This work examines Tanaka's entire career, encompassing graphic design and art direction, editorial and interior design. The book is structured into four chapters, each addressing a different aspect of Tanaka's career and a concluding section comprises a critical anthology with contributions from commentators on contemporary graphic design.

Following an introduction by Gian Carlo Calza, the book is structured in four chapters: Japanese Style, Typography, Invitation to Theatre, and Art and Communication Today, each of which addresses a different aspect of Tanaka's momentous career. The concluding section comprises a critical anthology, with contributions from numerous leading commentators on contemporary graphic design, together with an extensive bibliography.

About the Author:

Gian Carlo Calza is Professor of East Asian Art History at the University of Venice and Director of the International Hokusai Research Centre in Milan. He is the author of many books and articles on Japanese art, including Hokusai, also published by Phaidon.