1894-1989
Born in Shizuoka Prefecture. In 1914, he left preparatory school for Waseda University and moved to the United States to study American Art. He moved to Mexico in 1921. After graduating from the Academy of San Carlos in 1924, he spent a year at Ramos Martinez’ Escuelas de Pintura al Aire Libre (Open Air Schools of Painting). He was particularly involved with arts education for children. After returning to Japan in 1936, he joined the Nika Art Association. He became known in the Japanese art world for a distinctive painting style inspired by Mexican muralism, in the form of dynamic oil and tempera paintings that evoked the feel of Mexican landscapes. He produced many watercolors and prints on Mexican subjects, as well as works on social issues, and retained a keen interest in folk arts and crafts. In 1952, he founded the Sōzō Art Education Association with art critic Kubo Sadajirō. He recognized the importance of children’s self-expression and initiated this movement to nurture creative human beings.
Landscape
1936 Watercolor