Japan’s most famous graphic designer, Tokyo Ikko Tanaka died on 10 January aged 71. He first became famous during the mid fifties with his posters which combined the appeal of traditional Japanese beauty with an extremely modern treatment and a certain Western flavour.

Born in 1930 in Nara, Tanaka was one of the founders in 1960 of the Japanese design centre. He began working for himself in 1963 after studying in Kyoto and following a period working for the newspaper Osaka Sankei Shimbun, receiving a number of awards both in Japan and abroad. As well as posters he also worked on books, lettering and packaging, corporate identities for both Japanese and international companies, experimental forms of calligraphy and interior design.

In 1997 Italy held an exhibition of his work at the Museum of Modern Art in Milan.