Hōshun Yamaguchi (1893–1971) was a painter born in Hokkaido who brought a new sensibility to Japanese painting during the Shōwa period. He studied at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts and, whilst initially basing his work on traditional Japanese painting, he eventually turned his attention to Western painting and modern design sensibilities, developing a unique style characterised by bright colour fields and concise compositions. His works, which feature subjects such as flowers and birds, still lifes and figures, are characterised by the way he organises his subjects to present them, thereby infusing Japanese painting with a fresh, urban atmosphere. In 1965, he was awarded the Order of Culture.

When viewing Hōshun’s works, the first impression is one of a crisp, bright quality that differs from classical Japanese painting. Flowers, birds and objects are not rendered in excessive detail; rather, the beauty of the entire composition is achieved through the arrangement of colour and form. His works give the impression of quietly redefining Japanese painting in a manner befitting his own era, rather than merely adhering to traditional techniques. A major source of Yamaguchi Hōshun’s appeal lies in the gentle gaze towards nature that remains within his refined compositions.