Clifton Karhu (1927-2007) began his career as an artist in Minnesota. The son of Arne and Anna Karhu, he graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and, after WWII, was stationed in Japan. After his service, he returned to Japan with his wife as a missionary and English teacher. Though he continued painting, he also took up Japanese woodblock printing, eventually becoming a master of the craft and leaving his missionary work. His artwork reflected his love for Japanese culture, which he wholeheartedly adopted, often depicting scenes from Kyoto where he lived.

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