“Sakura Blossom Mt Fuji” by Hiroshi Tomihari

How has art by a Japanese National Treasure found its way into the City of Busselton Art Collection? This is a story of connections, friendships and generosity across countries and cultures. In 1995, Geographe Rotary Club members visited the Rotary Club of Sugito in Japan, and, in a moment of serendipity, met the artist Tomihari, one of Japan’s most renowned artists for this woodblock technique. A connection was made, and Tomihari promised to bring his art to Busselton. A year later, Tomihari visited Western Australia to exhibit in Busselton and, while here, he gifted many of his woodcut prints to the Art Collection. He also generously ran printmaking workshops in Busselton and Perth. This connection through art, grew into an ongoing Sister City arrangement with Sugito; the woodblock prints in the Shire’s Collection are a lasting legacy of this friendship.