Seiho Takeuchi (1864–1942) was born in Kyoto and is regarded as one of the leading figures of the modern Kyoto art scene. Whilst drawing on the observational techniques of the Shijō school, he also took an interest in the spatial expression and depiction of light found in Western painting, thereby introducing a new sensibility to Japanese painting. He tackled a wide range of subjects, including animals, landscapes and figures; in his animal paintings in particular, he demonstrated a keen power of observation that conveyed not only the subjects’ forms but also their fleeting movements and presence. In 1937, he was awarded the Order of Culture.

When viewing Seiho’s works, one senses a vitality in which the subjects do not appear static on the paper, but seem poised to come to life in the very next instant. Whilst he rendered the fur, gaze and posture in minute detail, the composition as a whole possesses a lightness, giving the impression that the brushstrokes breathe naturally. I believe that Seiho Takeuchi’s unique innovation lies in his ability to retain the finest qualities of traditional Japanese painting whilst directly translating the sensations of what he actually saw into his paintings.