Doga (童画)

The term Doga means pictures drawn by adults for children. Whereas, 'jidoga' or 'yojiga' means pictures drawn by children themselves.

The term Doga was firstly used for 'Takeo TAKEI Personal Exhibition of Doga' held by Takeo TAKEI in 1925. This term was coined with the aim of refining this category of pictures, which had been played down as adjuncts to fairly tales until then, to the realm of art. In 1927, 'Nihon Dogaka Kyokai' (Japan Doga Artists Association) was organized by seven artists including Takeo TAKEI, Shigeru HATSUYAMA, Shiro KAWAKAMI, Kiichi OKAMOTO, Shozo FUKAZAWA, Tomoyoshi MURAYAMA, Yoshio SHIMIZU etc. (-1941).

The term Doga has spread since then.

Condensed Timeline

1925: The term Doga first appeared.

1927: Nihon Dogaka Kyokai was organized.

1941: Nihon Dogaka Kyokai was dissolved (it was integrated into Japan Children's Culture Association under wartime policy).

1946: Nihon Doga Kai (Japan Doga Association) was organized.

1961: Nihon Doga Kai was dissolved.

1962: (second) Nihon Dogaka Kyokai was organized (Shiro KAWAKAMI, Takeo TAKEI, Shigeru HATSUYAMA, Yoshisuke KUROSAKI and Yoshio HAYASHI).

1983: Nihon Dogaka Kyokai was dissolved (due to the sudden death of Takeo TAKEI).

[Original Japanese]