Tetsuo Mizù (1944–2025, Tokyo, Japan) was a painter internationally recognized for his distinctive visual language based on maritime signal flags, gaining particular prominence in Europe from the 1980s onward. His “Flag Series,” which incorporates international maritime signal flags as compositional and symbolic elements, brought him wide attention. Living and working across Italy, France, and Spain, he actively exhibited throughout Europe. In 1987, he was invited to an international exhibition in Anzio near Rome, where he received a special award, and was commissioned to create stained glass for the Church of Santa Anna. His position within the European art scene is evidenced by exhibitions such as Picasso, Dalí, Chagall, Mizù (Barcelona, 1989) and Dalí–Mizù (Beaune, 1990), placing his work in dialogue with major figures of modern art. Mizù’s paintings are characterized by finely delineated lines and a matte, volumetric surface, combining geometric abstraction with a lyrical sensibility. While rooted in the visual system of signal flags, his work also reflects the light and atmosphere of Italian piazzas, as well as resonances with traditional Japanese visual culture such as ukiyo-e and hanafuda. He participated in major international art fairs including Art Basel, FIAC, and Art Rio, and in 1998 created a monumental ceramic mural measuring 32 meters for the White Ring arena at the Nagano Winter Olympics. Mizù maintained a long-standing relationship with SHIKISAISHA Gallery since its founding, and also designed the gallery’s current logo. His work continues to offer new perspectives and interpretations beyond his lifetime.