Kaoru Kawano was a woodblock print artist who worked during the Showa period (1926-1989). Born in Hokkaido in 1916, Kawano studied at Kawabata Art School during the 1930s. He gained an international his reputation through successful solo exhibitions in North America and elsewhere. His prints frequently depict children and animals, combining Western-style elements with the tradition of woodblock printmaking. Kaoru Kawano’s works are also appreciated for the way in which they incorporate the woodgrain of the block into the design.