Inshō Domoto (1891–1975) was a Japanese-style painter born in Kyoto who developed a wide-ranging artistic style from the modern era through to the post-war period. He studied at the Kyoto Municipal School of Fine Arts and initially gained recognition for his profound works depicting Buddhist and historical themes. He subsequently broadened his subject matter to include figures, flowers and birds, and landscapes, and in his later years he also ventured into abstract expression characterised by boldly distorted forms. He was extensively involved in creating screen paintings for temples and architectural decorations, continuing to produce work that transcended the boundaries of traditional Japanese painting. In 1961, he was awarded the Order of Culture.

What is fascinating about In’yō Domoto’s work is the extent to which his style evolved—so much so that it is hard to believe it came from a single artist. From his refined figure paintings to his colourful decorative works and, in his later years, his abstract pieces, one can sense his constant quest for new forms of expression. He appears to have been an artist who valued continually renewing his own sensibilities over preserving tradition. I believe that the great appeal of In’yō Domoto lies in the fact that, throughout his long career, he was unafraid of change and continued to expand the possibilities of Japanese painting.