tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20552525.post-43021072958171262862007-12-20T14:27:00.000+09:002007-12-24T08:34:29.475+09:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Z5mkimUm5Y8/R2n_bEZu-XI/AAAAAAAAALE/UGh9ZEAnEtU/s1600-h/Shimaoka-sensei.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_Z5mkimUm5Y8/R2n_bEZu-XI/AAAAAAAAALE/UGh9ZEAnEtU/s320/Shimaoka-sensei.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145924889750731122" border="0" /></a><br />Upon my return from Italy I was very saddened to hear of the passing away of Shimaoka Tatsuzo. From an email from Matsuzaki Ken: 'Shimaoka-sensei was hospitalized due to the<br />cerebral infarction on November 13. He seemed to recover once; however, I<br />am sorry to say, in spite of a cordial treatment, he passed away at 23:05<br />on December 11 from the chronic heart disease. Shimaoka-sensei's exhibition started at<br />Ginza, Tokyo, from December 5. It was a regret that he could not see<br />it. He had been concerned about the show to the last day, December 11, and he passed away quietly after knowing it was over successfully. I truly admire his mental<br />power. Shimaoka Kei will take over the studio.'<br />I had the honor of visiting Shimaoka-sensei on many occasion and he was always very cordial even with his extremely busy schedule. The end of an era for Mashiko. From the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/23/nyregion/23shimaoka.html?ref=obituariesRobert Yellinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00501147854506859253noreply@blogger.com