Kobayashi Kokei (1883–1957) was born in Niigata Prefecture and is regarded as one of the leading figures in modern Japanese painting. After moving to Tokyo, he studied under Kajita Hanko and was active primarily within the Japan Art Institute. Whilst conducting in-depth research into classical and Buddhist painting, he developed a unique style characterised by clear, uncluttered lines and calm, pure colours. He painted a wide range of subjects, including figures, flowers and birds, and historical themes, and was highly regarded for his ability to incorporate a modern sensibility into tradition. In 1950, he was awarded the Order of Culture.

Kobayashi Kokei’s works possess a quiet beauty born not of flamboyant embellishment, but of refining form and line to their very limits. The poses of his figures and the outlines of his flowers are free of superfluity, yet they do not convey a sense of coldness. Kokei’s paintings do not merely reproduce the classics; rather, they appear to extract their very essence and polish it anew with a contemporary sensibility. Their great appeal lies in the profound spirituality and tension that dwell within their concise compositions.