Early Spring in Rakuhoku

Born in Sakura City, Chiba, Totori Eiki studied Western-style painting under his cousin Asai Chu. He participated in the Meiji Bijutsukai and Taiheiyo Gakai art associations before moving to Kyoto at Asai’s invitation. In Kyoto, he taught at the Kyoto High School of Craft and Design as well as the Shogoin Institute of Western Art and Kansai Bijutsuin. After studying in Europe and encountering Impressionism, he actively showed work in the Bunten (exhibition sponsored by the Ministry of Education) and Teiten (art exhibition of the Imperial Academy). This painting, dating from after his return from Europe, conveys Totori’s fascination at the time with natural landscapes in the vicinity of Kyoto. The tranquil early spring scenery of the Rakuhoku area (northern Kyoto) is deftly rendered with the vivid Impressionist palette he absorbed during his studies abroad. (J.A.)