This shikishi artwork by Reisui Okada (岡田麗水) showcases the painter’s refined sensibility and delicate mastery of Japanese brushwork. Rendered with the calm precision and lyrical grace characteristic of traditional Nihonga (日本画), the piece captures both aesthetic harmony and emotional depth, qualities deeply rooted in Okada’s artistic philosophy.
Born in 1908 (Meiji 41) in Yokota Town, Nita District, Shimane Prefecture—today’s Okuizumo—Okada was a prominent figure in 20th-century Japanese art circles. He studied under two distinguished masters, Suishō Nishiyama and Ryūshi Kawabata, both influential in shaping the evolution of modern Nihonga. Okada’s training under these artists is reflected in his elegant use of color, refined composition, and poetic sense of nature.
As a member of the Tōhō Art Association (東邦美術協会), Okada earned recognition through major exhibitions, receiving honors such as the Encouragement Prize at the Seiryūsha Exhibition and the Association Prize at the Tōhō Art Association Exhibition. His work often explores tranquil landscapes and symbolic motifs, expressing both a reverence for natural beauty and a contemplative inner spirit.
After spending around fifteen years in Kyoto, where he absorbed the city’s artistic atmosphere and refined his techniques, Okada returned to his hometown in Shimane. This shikishi is a fine example of Okada’s artistic language, a subtle yet profound dialogue between nature, spirituality, and form.
