Saburo’s work is defined by its gutai group sensibility — an enduring influence on generations that followed. Most artists are dead; following is a declaration of love.

Work
Saburo Murakami Japanese, 1925–1996

Mr. Pointy
Takashi Murakami Japanese, born 1962

Gutai Postcards
Various Gutai Artists: Chiyu Uemae (Japanese, 1920–2018), Jirô Yoshihara (Japanese, 1905–1972), Kazuo Shiraga (Japanese, 1924–2008), Kyoichi Mizuguchi (Japanese, b. 1932), Masatoshi Masanobu (Japanese, b. 1911), Michio Yoshihara (Japanese, 1933–1996), Minoru Yoshida (Japanese, 1935–2010), Noboru Sakamitsu (Japanese, dates unknown), Saburo Murakami (Japanese, 1925–1996), Sadaharu Horio (Japanese, 1939–2018), Sadamasa Motonaga (Japanese, 1922–2011), Shôzô Shimamoto (Japanese, 1928–2013), Tanaka Atsuko (1932-2005), Tsuyoshi Maekawa (Japanese, b. 1936), Yamazaki Tsuruko (Japanese, 1925–2019), Yasuo Sumi (Japanese, 1925–2015), Yoshio Sekine (Japanese, 1922–1989), Yozô Ukita (Japanese, dates unknown)

The Holy Mother on the Sand (Sajo no seibo)
Murakami Gyojin (Japanese, 1911-1998)

Asahina Saburo
Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川 広重 Japanese, 1797-1858

The Actor Otani Hiroji III as Kawazu no Saburo in the Play Myoto-giku Izu no Kisewata, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1770
Katsukawa Shunsho 勝川 春章 Japanese, 1726-1792

Kinokuniya Tosshi (The actor Sawamura Sojuro III as Kujaku Saburo Narihira)
Toshusai Sharaku 東洲斎 写楽 Japanese, active 1794-95

Large wind-up automaton of Asahina Saburo
Utagawa Sadahide Japanese, 1807-1873

Asahina Saburo throwing beans
Totoya Hokkei Japanese, 1780-1850

The Actor Ichikawa Raizo II as Murakami Hikoshiro Yoshiteru in the Play Oyoroi Ebido Shinozuka, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1772
Katsukawa Shunsho 勝川 春章 Japanese, 1726-1792

The actor Sawamura Sojuro III as Kujaku Saburo Narihira
Toshusai Sharaku 東洲斎 写楽 Japanese, active 1794-95

The actor Bando Hikosaburo III as Godai Saburo Chikatada
Toshusai Sharaku 東洲斎 写楽 Japanese, active 1794-95

Actor Nakamura Nakazō I as Yamaoka no Saburō, in “The Ever-Blooming Potted Tree” (Kawaranu Hanasakae Hachino Ki)
Ippitsusai Bunchô Japanese, active c.1755–90

Yawata Saburo and Omi Kotoda ambushing Kawazu Saburo, from the series "Illustrated Tale of the Soga Brothers (Soga monogatari zue)"
Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川 広重 Japanese, 1797-1858

The Actor Bando Mitsugoro I as Ogata no Saburo Disguised as Yoroya Takiemon in the Play Mure Takamatsu Yuki no Shirahata, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1780
Katsukawa Shunko I Japanese, 1743-1812

Kawazu Saburo Sukemichi wrestling Matano Goro Kagehisa, from the series "Illustrated Tale of the Soga Brothers (Soga monogatari zue)"
Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川 広重 Japanese, 1797-1858

The Actor Arashi Sangoro II as Asahina Saburo in the Play Iro Maki-e Soga no Sakazuki, Performed at the Morita Theater in the First Month, 1773
Katsukawa Shunsho 勝川 春章 Japanese, 1726-1792

No. 6: Ise no Saburo Swears Loyalty to Ushiwakamaru (Rokukai, Ise no Saburo ga kakurega ni yadorite Ushiwakamaru shuju o yakusu), from the series "The Life of Yoshitsune (Yoshitsune Ichidaiki no uchi)"
Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川 広重 Japanese, 1797-1858

Asahina Saburo pulling Goro Tokimune's tasset, from the series "Illustrated Tale of the Soga Brothers (Soga monogatari zue)"
Utagawa Hiroshige 歌川 広重 Japanese, 1797-1858