A series of woodcuts by Kiyotada Torii VIII (1900-1976) will be on display through Aug. 4 in the 1124 Gallery, located at 1124 N. Cory St.

The six-piece set was given to the University by Hironao Sakamoto, Japan’s former Permanent Minister of Education, Science, Sports and Culture. The woodcuts gracefully and sensitively depict traditional images of Japanese women from the Heian period, which was more than 1,000 years ago.

The six pieces on display at UF are from a collection of 12 designs. The collection, “Twelve Figures of Japanese Women,” was reprinted in limited quantity in the 1970s. Original prints by the artist are very rare. The number of original designs is limited, and the original blocks were destroyed before World War II.

Torii, who was adopted, was the only son among five children of Kiyotada Torii VII, the seventh master of the centuries-old Torii Ukiyoe School of printing and painting. Though the younger Torii was interested in history and archaeology, it was assumed that he would follow in his father’s footsteps. At the age of 14, he left school to study painting. He eventually became the eighth master of the Torii school.

In addition to the well-known prints and paintings he created during his lifetime, Torii passed on his knowledge and teachings to his daughter, Kiyomitsu Torii, who became the ninth master of the Torii school in 1992. She is the first female master of the school.

The 1124 Gallery is open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For additional information, contact Marie Louden-Hanes, dean of undergraduate education, at 419-434-4504.