Saito Kiyoshi: Bridging Tradition and Modernity in Japanese Printmaking Kiyoshi Saitō (斎藤 清, 1907–1997), born in Aizu Bangi, Fukushima Prefecture, stands as a pivotal figure in the history of *sōsaku hanga*, or “independent printmaking,” marking a significant departure from conventional artistic practices and establishing himself as one of Japan’s foremost masters of this medium. His life was marked by hardship early on—orphaned at twelve after his mother succumbed to illness, he endured challenging circumstances shaped by poverty and familial instability—yet these formative experiences fuel…