Masayuki Nagare (1923–2018) was a modernist Japanese sculptor, often called the “Samurai Artist” for his dedication to traditional Japanese aesthetics and philosophy. Born in Nagasaki to Kojuro Nakagawa, founder and president of Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Nagare trained in samurai martial arts, particularly swordsmanship, and spent time in Kyoto temples observing the natural patterns of rocks, water, and plants. In 1942, he enrolled at Ritsumeikan University to study Shintoism and apprenticed under a master swordsmith, but left in 1943 to serve as a Zero Fighter pilot in the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.

After the war, Nagare traveled across Honshu Island, witnessing the devastation of the Japanese countryside and developing a deep appreciation for landscape and local crafts, including pottery. His experiences with surviving graveyard tombstones inspired his lifelong preference for working in stone, shaping his sculptural style that blends modernism with traditional Japanese philosophy and aesthetics.

Nagare’s works are characterized by a meticulous treatment of surfaces, contrasting polished and rough textures, often reflecting natural forms and human experience. Notable works include Cloud Fortress, which survived the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center but was lost during recovery efforts; Sakimori (Frontier Guardian) at the Honolulu Museum of Art; Hamaritsurin Garden in Seto Ohashi Commemorative Park, Japan; Receiving at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City; and Transcendence (informally called The Banker’s Heart) at A.P. Giannini Plaza in San Francisco. Nagare passed away in July 2018 at the age of 95, leaving a legacy as one of Japan’s most influential modern sculptors.