Japanese sculptor Kengiro Azuma, Marino Marini's pupil, dies at 90 in Milan

Japanese sculptor Kengiro Azuma died in his sleep at his Milan home on the night between October 14 and 15, 2016, exactly 90 years old (born March 12, 1926). A former WWII kamikaze pilot, he came to Italy after discovering Marino Marini's sculpture. He studied at the University of Tokyo (1949-1953), then won a scholarship to Italy in 1956, becoming Marini's student at Brera Academy and later his assistant. His early work referenced Marini's archaic figurative style, celebrated in a 2015 exhibition at M.I.G. in Castronuovo di Sant'Andrea, Potenza. Later, on Marini's advice, he explored his Eastern roots. He worked until nearly the end in his Bicocca studio, practicing Zen drawing. His last major sculpture show was in 2010 in Matera's cave churches, curated by Peppino Appella. A general catalogue and a major Milan exhibition are still lacking.