I’m Hooked On Sadao Watanabe
August 28, 2009 by Puna
Filed under House & Garden
Years ago, while living in Japan, I came to love an art store in the little town in Northern Japan where we lived. It was called Kanda’s BOQ. They sold original art by Japanese artists and I started collecting little pieces, one by one.
One of the artists I loved was Sadao Watanabe. Mr. Watanabe died while we were there and the price of his original art of course increased substantially. However, I was fortunate enough to have bought a few pieces before that happened.
Mr. Watanabe’s subject matter was religious in nature. However, at the time, I was not truly a “religious” person, nor I did I practice Christianity like I do now. I was what you would call, a new Christian. I just loved this color and the abstract nature of his pieces, not knowing that they are all based upon stories of the Bible.
I purchased a piece for my friend who was getting married. It was this one of Noah’s ark. Years later, after returning to the States, I visited her home in New Jersey and I saw it hanging up on her wall. I was touched to know that she cherished it that much to put it in a prominent place. She said to me that her sister-in-law knew Watanabe’s art right away. I didn’t know that he had a following outside of Japan so I was again very touched.
This one is mine by the way.
I don’t know where you can purchase Sadao Watanabe’s art now except on eBay and in various places on the internet. Of course, I would travel back to Japan and visit Kanda’s if I could. But though his art lives on with his wife and son, an original by the master is harder to find.
So I cherish these that I have in my powder room. To me, they speak not only of great art, but of my time in Japan which I always look back upon fondly.
Posted on Julia’s Hooked on Houses.
I’ve never seen these. I am charmed at first sight. I think these are beyond just shape and form; they are somehow touching and personal. Thanks.
Those are so pretty! That’s so cool that you have some originals.
It’s so great when you find art that really “speaks” to you
Your grouping of three paintings looks great 
Kelly
these are realky wonderful…i love art with a story~
Puna, I am quite familiar with Kanda’s from when I lived in Okinawa some years ago. I also became a fancier of Watanabe’s art and brought several prints back with me. I have searched for more and have found quite a few through these two galleries (both are in Seattle). Kanda’s had a web site a couple of years ago, but today I can’t find it.
http://www.carolynstaleyprints.com
http://www.davidsongalleries.com
I have a large and very beautiful Watanabe print for sale. It is signed and dated (1966, the year I bought it) and numbered 38/50. It is an Old Testament subject (Judges, Chapter 4, verses 17-21), depicting the murder of Sisera, the captain of the Canaanites, by Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. I’d be happy to send a photo to anyone who may be interested.
Might be interested in Sisera. Please send photo and what condition it is in. Where did you buy it? Thanks
Jeanne, do you still have the print for sale?
I also bought things from the Kanda BOQ However, I like the Hiroto Norikane’s “Shoji’s” There are 10 of them and I have 7. 4 of the 7 I own are first editions. They are all on display in my living room along with the other art work we purchased while in Japan.
I would relly like to finish my collection and get #3, #4, and #6 If you or some one you know may help please feel free to contact me
Thanks
Bud
I have 2 of his pieces. Yes, his work is fantastic. I have 2 medium to large size, limited edition original prints hanging in my living room. I am interested in selling them though. One is Ladies and Birds or Women and a lot of Quail, the other I have tried to locate the name through other prints I have come across online, but have yet to find this one. I believe it is Jesus at the tomb wrapped like a mummy with 3 mary’s present and 3 others that are watching one either wrap or unwrap Jesus, being held up right at the foot of the tomb by one Mary while the other 2 are praying. Very cool piece. Is there a resource that you may know of that can identify it? Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Errol
Thought you might like to know – Mr. Kanda died and both his shops are now closed. We have fond memories of both of them and their shops. Mrs. Kanda is such a classy lady. I’m not sure when this happened exactly but when I was back on Oki in June of 2009, the place was closed. So many wonderful memories of hanging out at their little place on the hill in Oki, our visit to their place at Yakota and all the wonderful art auctions they sponsored throughout the military community.
Thank you Liz for commenting and giving us this update. I have so many wonderful memories of Kanda’s. Our tour would not have been the same had it not been for the wonderful gallery right outside the gates. It really increased my appreciation of the wonderful Japanese artists and I treasure the pieces I have.
What Watanabe do you have for sale? What would be my gallery cost?
Thank you
Michael Verne