Tomita Keisen


Tomita Keisen was a Japanese painter in the nihonga style.

Life and work

He was born to a family of restaurateurs who also made sōmen. His artistic training began with Kinugasa Morimasa, the official painter for the Kuroda clan and a follower of the Kanō school. In 1896, he went to Kyōto to continue his education with Tsuji Kakō, who was a follower of the Shijō school. During this period, he exhibited at the and several other venues.
He was deeply interested in both Christianity and Zen Buddhism and travelled about, to China and Okinawa and, notably, to Nara to study the Heian period Buddhist images. In 1915, Yokoyama Taikan invited him to participate in an exhibition held by the Nihon Bijutsuin, after which he was named an associate member of that organization. He always remained more devoted to the prevailing styles in Kyōto, however, and began to show some influence from the nanga style.
He became progressively interested in landscapes and created Eight Views of Saga; a reference to a famous series of classical paintings which featured eight views of various locations. In 1923, through the mediation of novelist, he was introduced to the Ambassador from France, Paul Claudel, who was also a poet. Together, they produced some illustrated collections of poetry.
In 1931, he paid a visit to Berlin to attend the "". Four years later, he was elected a amember of the Japan Art Academy.

Selected paintings