Katō Sessō
Year unknown
Katō Sessō (1872-1918) was born in Akita Town, Akita Prefecture (modern Akita City). He was the son of former Akita (Kubota) domain samurai and Sinologist, Katō Hisamichi. His real name was Hisanori, but was commonly called Tatsuya. Leaving Akita alongside his grandfather, he moved to Imamachi, Sakata in 1882. In 1896 he moved to Tōkyō, studying under one of the authorities of the contemporary Japanese art world, Hashimoto Gahō. He submitted work to the 1st and 8th Kaigakyōshinkai, and won 3rd and 1st place, respectively. In 1899, he submitted the works “Kinteisekishō Zu” (Painting of a Fishing Boat in Evening) and “Tanshindokusho Zu” (Painting of Reading by the Firewood) to the Fine Arts Exhibition in Commutation of the Establishment of the Nihongakai, which were then purchased by the Ministry of the Imperial Household, winning him great fame. 1908 saw the passing of his mentor, Gahō, and Sessō returned home to Sakata from Tōkyō, where he worked on numerous projects with a Zen influence.