Kota Suda (1906–1990) was a Western-style painter born in Saitama Prefecture. His work spanned a wide range from figurative to abstract, and through thick layers of paint and vigorous lines, he developed a style of expression that seemed to project emotions directly onto the canvas. He also had a keen interest in calligraphy and is well known for having long been responsible for the illustrations in Ryotaro Shiba’s *Walking the Highways*.

His works possess a power that seeks to capture the breath and momentum of the moment of creation, rather than striving for neatness and order. Even amidst the rough lines and overlapping layers of colour, there is a mysterious warmth, conveying the sense that he was painting with his whole body. The appeal of his work lies in the coexistence of boldness and humanity.