Takehisa yumeji biography sample

Yumeji Takehisa was born in Honjo village, Okayama Prefecture, located in the southern region of Honshu island. Renowned as a painter, illustrator, and printmaker, he emerged as one of the prominent figures during the Taisho period (1912-1926) and achieved remarkable popularity in Japan.

Yumeji Takehisa: Biography

Yumeji Takehisa was born on September 16, 1884, in Okayama Prefecture with the given name Mojiro. His father, Kikuzo, worked as a sake brewer. The family residence where Yumeji grew up now functions as an art museum. From an early age, Yumeji displayed a deep passion for drawing.

While attending high school in Kobe, affiliated with the prestigious University of Waseda, Yumeji developed a fascination for diverse and exotic subjects. During this period, he explored various creative outlets, including writing short stories, composing poems, and illustrating for a popular magazine.

Despite his wish to move to Tokyo when his family relocated to Kyushu island, Yumeji attended the private school of Waseda. There, he built numerous friendships, including one with Shusui Kotoku (1871-1911), a well-known socialist and anarchist. At 19, Yumeji began creating portraits, marking the start of his artistic career.

Yumeji Takehisa Museum in Tokyo

Beyond his accomplishments as an artist, Yumeji Takehisa gained recognition as a writer and poet. Tokyo honors his legacy with the Yumeji Takehisa Museum, where visitors can admire his paintings, watercolors, and art prints.

Yumeji Takehisa and Women

At 23, Yumeji Takehisa married Tamaki Kishi, who managed an art store. However, their marriage lasted only two years, ending in divorce.

Tamaki Kishi served as his primary model and muse, inspiring Yumeji to delve into bijin-ga, a genre of Japanese art focused on depicting beautiful women. Like many Japanese woodblock artists, Yumeji explored bijin-ga extensively. Numerous women he admired also became his models and artistic inspiration.

In 1916, Yumeji Takehisa became the chief illustrator for "Shin-Shojo" (fashionable girl) and "Fujin no tomo" (women's friend) magazines. Later, he resumed creating illustrations for "Kodomo no kuni" (children's land), a children's magazine.

His Mature Period

In 1923, Yumeji Takehisa's career faced a significant challenge due to the Great Kanto Earthquake, which disrupted his work and forced him to rebuild his career. Despite his efforts, he only regained momentum in 1931 when he embarked on an international journey to the United States, Germany, and Italy to exhibit his art.

Unfortunately, this journey did not achieve the anticipated success. Battling a severe illness, he returned to Japan in 1933. Tragically, Yumeji Takehisa passed away in 1934 at the Fujimi Highland Sanatorium. He was laid to rest in Tokyo.

Art Style of Yumeji Takehisa

Yumeji Takehisa played a vital role in the hanga movement (Japanese for "print") and was deeply influenced by modern Western art. This led to the emergence of a unique style known as "Taisho Romanticism."

As a key figure in this movement, particularly in color woodblocks, Yumeji combined decorative elements with a melancholic and poetic atmosphere, often centered on the elegance of beautiful women. His minimalist and sometimes naive compositions resonated deeply with audiences, earning him immense popularity during his time.

Following his travels to the United States and Europe, Yumeji's style adopted more pronounced Western influences. His work increasingly leaned toward expressionism, abstraction, and simplification, moving away from traditional Japanese woodblock art.

Woodblock Prints by Yumeji Takehisa

The examples showcased here are from our collection of previously sold Japanese prints.

Author:
Dieter Wanczura, revised by AI
First Publication: 7/19/2007
Latest Update: 1/6/2025

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