Seiko Okuhara (奥原 晴湖 1837–1913)

Translated by Aurélien Baron, International Affairs Division

A very active female Southern School artist at the center of the Meiji era artistic stage

Seiko Okuhara
Seiko Okuhara (by courtesy of the Koga Museum of History)

Seiko Okuhara was born in the Koga clan Ikeda family. Dedicating her studies to painting, she leaves for Edo where she interacts with a world of refinement, personified by literary people from Shitaya area or elderly statesmen.

Okuhara led a bohemian lifestyle in Tokyo before adopting a secluded way of life in Kamagaya, where she produced highly refined works as a leader of the Southern School of Chinese Painting. Tenshin Okakura was taught under her supervision.

Roganzu
"Roganzu" (by courtesy of the Ibaraki Museum of Modern Art)

Japanese version of this article available here(external link).