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Satoru Sakakibara

さかきばら さとる

Sakakibara Satoru

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1948-05-03 （Nishio, Aichi, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Art historian, University professor, Curator, Museum director
Active Years
1972-
Affiliations
Gunma Prefectural Women's University (Professor Emeritus), Okazaki City Museum of Art & Okazaki World Children's Art Museum (Director), Suntory Museum of Art (former chief curator)

Education

Waseda University
Faculty of Letters / Department of Art History
Degree: 学士
Period: 1969-1972
Year of Graduation: 1972
Country: Japan
Undergraduate degree in art history
Waseda University Graduate School
Degree: 文学博士（学位取得年: 2003）
Period: 1974-1979（博士課程単位取得満期退学）、のちに博士号取得（2003）
Year of Graduation: 2003
Country: Japan
Left doctoral program after completing credits (1979); later awarded Doctor of Letters in 2003 for research on presentation folding screens

Awards

Arts Encouragement Prize — Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award
2003
Work: Bridges of Beauty
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs / Arts Encouragement Awards
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Walking the Landscapes of Folding Screens

1997 Art criticism / Art history

An accessible study of folding-screen paintings, explaining compositions and viewing perspectives while introducing the appeal of Japanese folding screens through museum-centered discussions.

folding screensviewing perspectivesJapanese art

The Playfulness of Japanese Painting

1998 Art history

Examines playfulness and visual tricks in Japanese painting, presenting approachable explanations on how to enjoy works of art.

playvisual trickeryJapanese painting

Bridges of Beauty: Folding Screens Sent Abroad

2002 Art history / Exhibition-style study

Studies folding screens that were sent abroad, exploring their circulation and cultural exchange; the work contributed to his 2003 Arts Encouragement Prize.

folding screenscultural exchangecirculation

Enjoying Edo Paintings: Visual Tricks

2003 Art history / Guide

Deciphers visual effects and techniques in Edo-period paintings, offering an introductory guide accessible to general readers.

Edo paintingsvisual effectstechniques

How to Look at Japanese Painting

2004 Art appreciation

A clear guide to points of appreciation and historical background of Japanese painting.

appreciation guidehistorical context

Kaleidoscope of Edo Painting: The Genealogy of Comic Pictures

2007 Art history

A genealogical study tracing diverse expressions in Edo painting such as comic pictures and humorous prints.

comic picturesEdo culturegenealogy

Kano Tanyu: Portrait of a Court Painter

2014 Biographical study / Art history

A study of Kano Tanyu, examining his life, works, and role as a court painter in early modern Japan.

Kano schoolartistic analysisearly modern painting

Folding Screens and the Japanese

2018 Cultural history / Art history

Examines Japanese spatial perception and aesthetics through the lens of folding screens.

folding screensspatial perceptionaesthetics

Bibliography

  • Walking the Landscapes of Folding Screens
  • The Playfulness of Japanese Painting
  • Bridges of Beauty: Folding Screens Sent Abroad
  • Enjoying Edo Paintings: Visual Tricks
  • How to Look at Japanese Painting
  • Kaleidoscope of Edo Painting: The Genealogy of Comic Pictures
  • Kano Tanyu: Portrait of a Court Painter
  • Folding Screens and the Japanese
  • Japanese Cloisonné (co-authored)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Clear, erudite expositionBalances scholarly analysis with readability for general audiences
Recurring Motifs
folding screensvisual tricksplay and appreciation

Legacy

A scholar of early modern Japanese art who linked academic research on folding screens with public education in art appreciation; known for curatorial work and museum leadership.

Museums

  • Okazaki City Museum of Art Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
  • Okazaki World Children's Art Museum Okazaki, Aichi, Japan

Trivia

  • Born in Nishio, Aichi Prefecture.
  • Served as chief curator at the Suntory Museum of Art.
  • Awarded the Arts Encouragement Prize (Minister of Education) in 2003 for 'Bridges of Beauty'.
  • Appointed director of Okazaki City Museum of Art and Okazaki World Children's Art Museum in 2010.