Domoto Insho (堂本印象)

Insho DOMOTO (December 25, 1891 - September 5, 1975) was a Japanese-style painting artist. He was a Teishitsu Gigeiin (Imperial art expert). He was a member of the Japan Art Academy. He was born in Kyoto Prefecture. Autonym: Sannosuke DOMOTO.

After graduating from Kyoto City Dohda Senior High School Of Arts, Insho was drawing designs of Nishijin-brocade but subsequently enrolled in Kyoto City University of Arts in 1910 with the aspiration of becoming a Japanese-style painting artist. In 1919, his first entry, 'Fukakusa,' was accepted by the Japan Art Academy Exhibition (Teiten). His work, 'Chokikuzu,' won a special commendation at the Third Teiten and 'Kegon' won the Japan Art Prize (Teikoku Bijutsuinsho) at the Sixth Teiten, establishing himself as among the top Japanese artists.

He also played an active role as the organizer of his private art school, Tokyusha, as well as being the leader of an art circle.

After World War II, he expanded his artistic horizons to include abstract expressions and murals and, in addition, took an active part in the international art scene by entering numerous works into various international exhibits. He was decorated with the Order of Culture in 1961 and, in 1963, received the Order of St. Sylvester from Pope John the 23rd in recognition of his work, "The Glories of Virgin Mary" Murals, in the Grand Cathedral of Virgin Mary of Osaka.

Private Art Museum

Kyoto Prefectural Insho-Domoto Museum of Fine Arts

Major Works

"Kariteimo" (1922): a collection of the National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto. "Tansai" Kosaku ("瑞彩" 耕作) (1924): the Museum of Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan. "Konohanasakuyahime" (1929): a collection of the Kyoto Prefectural Insho-Domoto Museum of Fine Arts. "So Ryu"(Blue Dragon) (1933): a collection of Tofuku-ji Temple. "Uri, Suika" (Pepo, Watermelon) (1934): a collection of To-ji Temple (Kyo-o-gokoku-ji Temple). "Suigo Yokuu" (1935): a collection of the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art. "Yanagi ni Sagi" (Egrets on a willow) (1935): a collection of Jofuku-in on Mount Shigi. "Ryuju to Ryusui" (willow trees and flowing water) (1936): a collection of Sanbo-in, Daigo-ji Temple.
Mt. Koya Konpon Daito Murals (1936 - 1943)
Shitenno-ji Temple Hoto (treasure pagoda) Murals (1939 - 1943) which were destroyed in a fire during an Osaka Air Raid.

"Morning Glories" (Asagao) (1942): a collection of the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo. "Newspapers" (1950): a collection of the National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto. "Fujo Kissa" (1958): a collection of Chishakuin Shinden. "Resistance to the Standard" (1960): a collection of the National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto. "The Glories of Virgin Mary" (murals) (1962): the Grand Cathedral of Virgin Mary of Osaka. "Henkai Hosai"(遍界芳彩) (1969): a collection of Saiho-ji Temple (Koke-dera Temple) Sairai-do Hall. "Kounmando"(香雲満堂) (1971): a collection of Honenn-in Temple Boseikaku. "Seifujirai" (1971): a collection of Honenn-in Temple Hojo (an abbot's chamber). "Usagi Haruno ni Asobu" (Rabbits play in a spring field) (the design for the special edition stamps for the 1999 Stamp Collection Week): a collection of the Kyoto Prefectural Insho-Domoto Museum of Fine Arts.

[Original Japanese]