Postmarked December 4, 1891, at Yamashiro Kyoto (山城京都), this postal card was sent by Yamada Kaidō (山田介堂) while staying at the residence of Inoue Uhei (京都御車道今出川栄町井上宇兵衛宅). In the message, Yamada addresses Maeda Yoshihiko of Kobe as Seiyōgaka (西洋画家, Western-style painter), which is the first instance we have seen him referred to in this way. Most of the time, he was addressed as Aburaeshi (油画師, oil painter).
Yamada Kaidō (1869–1924) was a prominent Japanese painter active during the Meiji and Taishō periods, known for his contributions to Nanga (Southern School) painting and his influence on the Kyoto art scene. Born in Maruoka, Fukui Prefecture, he displayed an early interest in art and initially studied under Wang Yanzhang, a Chinese painter in Nagasaki, where he gained a foundation in Nanga techniques.
Seeking further refinement, he moved to Kyoto and trained under renowned artists such as Tanomura Chokunyū and Tomioka Tessai, while also studying under Hosoya Rissai in Akashi and Hirano Gogaku in Hita. His mastery of Nanga painting earned him recognition at the prestigious Bunten (Ministry of Education Art Exhibition), where he received multiple awards. In 1921, he co-founded the Nihon Nanga-in (Japan Nanga Institute) alongside fellow artists Tajika Chikuson and Ikeda Keisen, solidifying his status as a leading figure in the Nanga revival movement.
His works, often characterized by vibrant blue-green landscapes and poetic inscriptions, reflect a synthesis of traditional Chinese and Japanese aesthetics. Despite losing vision in one eye in his later years, he remained a dedicated artist, adopting the pseudonym "Sekigyokudōjin" (One-Eyed Jade Recluse) and continuing to produce remarkable works until his passing on September 17, 1924.
Today, his paintings are highly regarded in Japanese art circles, with pieces held in private collections and museums. His contributions to Nanga painting highlight his deep engagement with both Chinese and Japanese artistic traditions, ensuring his legacy endures through his works, which continue to inspire admiration among art historians and collectors alike.
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