Biography

Painter. Born in Fukuoka Prefecture. In 1902, moved to Tokyo, together with painter Shigeru Aoki, and entered Shotaro Koyama’s painting school, Fudo-sha. In 1904, studied at the newly opened Taiheiyo Gakai Institute. Emerged as a painter through such events as being highly appraised by novelist Soseki Natsume for his work in the 6th Buten exhibition (1912). In 1914, participated in the founding of the Nika Association. Moved to France in 1921, where he began using unique, intermediate color tones. In 1924, he returned to Japan, and set up his studio close to his hometown in Fukuoka; thus, he withdrew from the center of the painting world. Based on the themes of familiar animals, such as horses and cows at a ranch, he depicted works that conveyed a static and deeply spiritual nature using his own unique light tones. In 1956, he received the Order of Culture from the Japanese Government.