In 1940, Tochikubo Sou was born in Horai, a small town rich in nature, in Aichi prefecture, Japan.
He graduated from Tama Art University, majoring in Japanese Painting. A member of the World Oni Society since 1996. Tochi (Tochikubo Sou) currently lives in Toyohashi City Aichi prefecture. He established the Art&Craft Class called “Mud ball Club” for children (1980-2005) in Toyohashi City and Toyokawa City.
His original technique of “wax painting*” is used for his multiple series of art works, on the theme of the rich nature of his hometown, such as fish, birds, and the universe. He established the unique technique of creating art through the lines of stones that he sketched, and has produced more than 120,000 drawings in 30 years. Based on that process, he announced the series of “ONI MANDALA”
The Oni(Ogre) Tochi draws are not a symbol of evil. They are gods of the mountains. (They are the Oni from Hanamatsuri.)
Tochi expresses this Japanese unique sensibility of coexistence and the respect towards Oni, in his contemporary artworks. This is based on the flower festival in Toei town, Aichi Prefecture, where he grew up. The new series “MANGARA” is based on his childhood memories of MANGA(Japanese cartoons) as a theme, creating a world of mandalas.
＊Tochi’s original technique of “wax painting”
Drawing lines with colored wax, using an original canvas which is made from cardboard with cloth and a mosquito net. The background of the painting is with water-based dyes and pigments and finished with mineral pigments.
●Tochi’s “Titanium Art”
He uses the coloration of titanium and anodizing techniques on his paintings, wall relief murals and sculptures. His largest piece is a relief mural of an Oni on a wall of 10 by 7 meters in a sports stadium.
TAIKI
(Titanium Art Work series on ONI MANDARA)
2005 Size 22 /58 cm
1984 Solo Exhibition Japanese wax painting at the Cave "A Message from Ancient People." Location: Mt. Horaiji (Shinshiro, Aichi), former Taguchi Line tunnel site (Toyohashi Aichi) 1989 Exhibition of "Plastic arts classes for children" at Toyohashi City Museum Art and History. Early works were presented along with an exhibition of children's artwork. 1990 50th anniversary project "The Buddhist lantern Exhibition” The 100 Manto Art of Light night. Location: Adera Nanataki (Shinshiro Aichi) Solo Exhibition “Toyohashi Kite 100 points of Blue Sky” Flying a large kite with children. Location: Jinno Pier (Toyohashi Aichi) Solo Exhibition Japanese wax painting “FISH POEM / The poetic architectural” Toyohashi City Museum Art and History 1992 "FISH POEM" series produced in Titanium Art. 1993 Solo Exhibition “ TOCHIKUBO SOU “ (Tokyo, Nagoya) The Titanium artworks received widespread acclaim, which created connections with anodizing companies nationwide. 1994 Produced Space Sugoroku "30 Billion Year Journey" (created by Miyabayashi Sachio, painted by Tochikubo Sou). 1995 Solo Exhibition Japanese wax painting " Feast of Colors TOCHIKUBO SOU ” Toyohashi City Museum Art and History. Presented the work series "ONI MANDALA". 1996 Presented “ ONI MANDALA " special exhibition at the Japanese Oni Exchange Museum (Fukuchiyama, Kyoto). Joined the "World OniSociety". 1997 Solo Exhibition “ Poem of the River, Forests nurture fish ” (Nagoya Aichi) 1998 “ Tochikubo Sou's ONI MANDALA / Restoration of the Mountain Gods and ONI” special exhibition at Kitakami Oni Museum (Kitakami, Iwate) 1999 The relief titanium art monument titled "Oni-Henbai" was installed in the main stand of the Kitakami Athletic Field (Kitakami, Iwate) Created the Titanium Art work "Kazamioni" (Matsue, Shimane) 2002 Creation of the mural “ DANCING FISHES “(Kishimagun, Saga) 2004 Toyokawa City Library project. A silhouette painting of a planetarium. (Toyokawa Aichi) 2005 At the special exhibition of Kitakami Oni Museum, the "SANKIGAJIN" was presented.(Kitakami, Iwate) 2006 Exhibited "Titanium Art Work ONI MANDALA" at Higashimikawa Manufacturing Fair. 2017 Solo Exhibition "100th Anniversary Exhibition" at Gallery Hanashuro (Toyokawa Aichi) 2021 "Rishu Sennin and the Three ONI" was exhibited at Mt. Houraiji Historical and Cultural Archives-Minikonkan. (Shinshiro Aichi) The artwork "Rishu Sennin and the Three ONI" was created as a votive offering for Horaiji Temple, Mt.Houraiji The Hondo and Toshogu Shrine, Minikonkan. Donated to Shinshiro City Hall. 2022 Solo Exhibition "RAKUEN" , “ TOCHIKUBO SOU 500 works " at Gallery Hanashuro (Toyokawa Aichi) 2023 Produced art tenugui towel of “Rishu Sennin and the Three ONI” Solo Exhibition “Rishu Sennin and the Three ONI” at Gallery Denen(Toyohashi Aichi).