Jiro Yoshihara: Pioneer of Gutai and the Zen Circle Jiro Yoshihara (吉原 治良, Yoshihara Jirō?, January 1, 1905 – February 10, 1972) stands as a monumental figure in Japanese postwar art, recognized primarily for his leadership within the Gutai Art Group—a movement that irrevocably altered the trajectory of avant-garde painting. Born in Osaka, Japan, Yoshihara’s artistic journey began without formal training, nurtured instead by mentorshi…