Yoshihara Jirō was one of the most influential avant-garde artists in postwar Japan. Born in 1905 into a wealthy merchant family in Osaka, he was influenced by Western modern art in his early years. After the war, he advocated for breaking with tradition, emphasized direct interaction with materials, and promoted the "action" and creativity of art.
In 1954, Yoshihara founded the avant-garde art group "Gutai Art Association." The Gutai movement advocated for creating "never-before-seen" art and propelled Japanese avant-garde art onto the international stage.
In the late 1960s, Yoshihara focused on creating his minimalist "Circle" series, regarding the circle as a direct expression of personal energy and spirit.
His artistic philosophy profoundly influenced the development of modern Japanese art.
