Kaichi Kobayashi (小林かいち, Kobayashi Kaichi) was a Japanese printmaker and designer popular in the 1920s and early 30s. During the late Taisho period through early Showa (1925-1935) he worked as a printmaker designing illustrated postcards and decorative envelopes for Sakurai-ya, a popular publisher in the heart of downtown Kyoto (that only just recently closed in 2011). His use of simple, sharp lines, luscious colors, and dramatic shadows created a moody and melancholic atmosphere that was highly popular with young girls of the time. The combination of western motifs, such as roses, crosses, and playing cards along with Japanese aesthetics, wrapped up in moody lyricism epitomized the Taisho Romanticism style popularized by early kawaii artists such as Yumeji Takehisa.
Born in Kyoto in 1896, Kobayashi studied art at the Kyoto School of Design prior to his position at Sakurai-ya. During WWII, he was conscripted to work as an airplane designer and spent his years after the war working as a kimono pattern designer. Kobayashi’s illustrations and designs were immensely popular in the pre-war period, especially among the growing number of ‘shojo’, young girls attending secondary school. His illustrations were so popular during their time that even the famous author, Junichiro Tanizaki, referred to an envelope illustrated by Kobayashi in his novel “Quicksand” published serially from 1928-1930. He passed away in 1968 at the age of 72.
Despite his early success in the pre-war period, his work was relatively forgotten until the late 1990s and early 2000s, and was rediscovered thanks in part to foreign collectors. In 2002, Leonard Lauder (of Estee Lauder descent) donated his collection of more than twenty thousand Japanese postcards to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, including many by Kobayashi. In 2004, these pieces were featured in an exhibit at the museum on Japanese postcards. This exhibition, along with similar exhibits and renewed fascination with all things Taisho within Japan contributed to a newfound interest in Kobayashi’s artwork and life. There are now around 700 verified works by Kobayashi, including not only picture postcards and decorated envelopes, but other decorated stationery items such as calendars, folding fans an decorative wrapping paper.
Kobayashi’s dramatic compositions and luscious use of color were strongly influenced by various European art movements of the late 19th and early 20th century, particularly Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and expressionism. These periods were themselves influenced by Japanese woodblock prints and the Japonism that swept through Europe in the 19th century. This feedback and interconnect of styles and influence may explain some of the mystical allure of his designs which appear both simultaneously familiar and exotic.
While ‘kawaii’ may not be the first word to come to mind in looking at his moody and dramatic illustrations, Kobayashi’s distinctive style was quite popular among schoolgirls and contributed to the evolution of girl culture in Japan. The influences of his luscious color palette and motifs such as playing cards, butterflies and roses is evident Kawaii art today. While the overall feel is a bit different, I particularly see element of Kobayashi’s style, especially the color palate, motif, and slight bittersweet essence in the San-X series Sentimental Circus.
