Koji Ikuta (b. 1953) was born in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. Known as a master of mezzotint, Ikuta originally trained in traditional Japanese painting. He graduated from Tama Art University in 1976 and began working as a highschool teacher. Ikuta continued printmaking and gained recognition and awards throughout the 1980s and 90s. He currently has been shown in both solo and group exhibitions around the world.