Masahiko Seno Biography

Year

Age

Matters

Main work

1901
 　 Born on January 3 in 79, Hayataka, Toyosu-mura, Tsukubo-gun, Okayama (present 79, Hayataka, Kurashiki-shi, Okayama) as eldest son between Seno Akira and Umeno.
Akira Seno was in the teaching profession.
Probably because he was born to the family line which loved antique playthings, the potted plant, the flowering plant, etc. from generation to generation, he loved such things very much and improved a watercolor painting.

　

1906

　5

Since the father was invited as instructor of the Yi dynasty South Korean government after teaching Takamatsu agriculture-and-forestry school in Okayama, the family moved to Korea (present South Korea).
Political disturbance before and after following on Japanese Annexation of Korea (1910) gave a shock to a childish mind as it is greatly uneasy.

Went to an elementary school and a junior high school to Seoul. When he became a third-year student in a junior high school, his father ordered him to defining the purpose and doing his best to enter an upper school.
His father often invited him to walk and said shaking his cane from back with me "Masahiko, straighten your back and stride calmly and straightly. It is not only a walk (but also about the way of life). When he said he wanted to be a painter his father said, "Nothing is more difficult than to be an artist because the artist improve himself all the way of life. but if you will be able to be an artist it also means a king without crown".

　

1920

19
 Graduated Seoul junior high school but failed the entrance examination of sciences division of Okayama 6th high school.
Went to the Heian preparatory school from his uncle's home in Kyoto.

1921

20

Passed the entrance examination of Kobe Commercial High School (present Kobe University department of economics).
Began to paint seriously.
Wanted to paint in oils but couldn't buy drawing materials because they were so expensive.
At the time, a drawing material store called Mitake-shouten is located in Kobe, and I often stood in front of the window and was looking at the tool of oil painting etc. Then, the master called me one day and accepted my offer to get tools on the monthly installment plan after that. If the master wasn't so kind Seno could hardly be a painter...
Moreover, he got friend of similar tastes, made a circle called Seibyo-sha (blue cats) and held spring and autumn exhibition in school.

When he was 3rd grade he visited Narashige Koide lived in Ashiya with several works without any introductor.
As soon as Koide knew that Seno was a student of Kobe commercial high school he said "how your parents were disappointed that you start to paint even though you Exhibited his work(s) on the the school which can do money-making? It is better to stop within now." Seno was very disappointed and inquired immediately, "Is it told me that I am talentless?" Koide said "Only Gold knows a thing called the talent etc. and I am in no position to criticize others' talent. A thing called an artist's talent is decided by whether it continue drawing until it carries out death, no matter it may be in what circumstances throughout life". Seno did not call at Koide after it..

　

1925

24
 Graduated Kobe commercial high school and was employed to a nonlife insurance company (one company before integration of the present Dowa Fire & Marine Insurance).
Ceased to rend room and board to buy more drawing materials and to carry out more flourishing study.
Borrows a 3rd floor of the European-style apartment near to Nada station and begun self-cooking. Work and drawing were running smoothly.

　

1927

26
 Transferred to the Tokyo branch in March. Borrowed one room of 25, Koenji three-house row-house and began his life self-cooking, working, and drawing. In Tokyo there was no drawing material store which rend paints cost with trust and it was most tough time both materially and morally.
The 1930 association formed in the previous year invited the public contribution of paints for the first time by the 2nd exhibition, Seno sent the work he painted at Kobe and got 2nd prize.
Also Exhibited his work(s) on the his work in autumn Nikaten but didn't pass.		 "Settlement scenery", "Scenery with meteorological observatory" (the 2nd exhibition of the 1930 association)

1928

27
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 3rd exhibition of the 1930 association, and won the prize. "Public market" was carried on the Asahi Nenkan by phototype. Exhibited his work(s) on the Nikaten and won the prize in the first . This work is criticized by Wataru Sakazaki in the Asahi Shinbun paper. At the Nikaten exhibition Seno happened to meet Narashige Koide once he visited in the Kobe time, and . Moved to 40 Koenji. "Public market", "Stopping space", "The scenery inside a bridge" (3rd exhibition of the 1930 association), "Florist shop " (15th exhibition of Nikaten)

1929

28
 Received his father's sudden obituary and went back to Seoul. Exhibited his work(s) on the 16th Nikaten and won the prize. Became intimate with Saburo Miyamoto, Hiroshi Sakamoto, Iwao Uchida, Tadao Tanaka, Junji Yoshii, Setsuo Nakamura etc. "A girl and a sewing machine", "Still life with a birdcage", "Fish shop" ( 4th exhibition of the 1930 association), "Showcase with bread", "Still life with a fish" (16th exhibition of Nikaten)

1930

29
 Accepted for the 17th Nikaten exhibition. Dokuritsu Bijutsu Kyokai (Independent Art Association) was founded and Seno came to enter his work on this new organization. "Butterflies specimen and a fish", "Poultry farmer PQ", "A hen and stone wall" (5th exhibition of the 1930 association), "Geometric figure, a goldfish and flowers" (17th exhibition of Nikaten)

1931

30
 On January 11 the 1st Dokuritsu Bijutsu Kyokai exhibition was held in Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. Seno Exhibited his work(s) on the it and got the prize "Mr. O" (it is Asahi Shinbun Publishing chief editor Taketora Ogata's prize). From this, with formation of Dokuritsu Bijutsu Kyokai Seno organized Dojin ten Kyu Chi Kai with his 8 friends who Exhibited his work(s) on the formal 1930 association and Nikakai. Held the 1st exhibition in Kanda Tokyo do with Saichiro Tanaka, Chozaburo Inoue, Koichi Tanaka, Satsuo Nakama, Kikuchi Seiji, Ichiro Matsushima, Goro Ono, Yasujiro. However, he left this association with Koichi Tanaka after a while. "Nude of white and yellow", "Window and a girl", "An egg and a man", "Still life of the sea and a shoji" (1st Dokuritsu exhibition)

1932

31
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 2nd Dokuritsu exhibition and won "Dokuritsu sho" (Independent prize, the first prize of Dokuritsu Bijutsu Kyokai). Moved to Asagaya 4-968. On September 17 married with Mitsuko Nishigaki. "A pheasant, a butterfly and a squid", "A map and a woman" (2nd Dokuritsu exhibition)

1933

32
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 3rd Dokuritsu exhibition and was recommended (acquired the right to enter with no examination next year). "Fishes and bricks and sea", "Nude of red and yellow" (3rd Dokuritsu exhibition)

1934

33
 Since Tokutaro Takaoka who was the Nikakai member those days went to Paris studying abroad, Seno borrowed the atelier which Takaoka borrowed at that time, and moved to 1-5 Narimune Suginami in the middle of January.
Exhibited his work(s) on the 4th Dokuritsu exhibition. Recommended for a member with Koichi Tanaka and Saichiro Tanaka. It was the first time that non-member was recommended to the Dokuritsu Bijutsu Kyokai member.		 "The sun and welsh onion flowers", "Mt. Fuji and a hydrangea", "Duck", "Plum tree and a girl", "Nude, a peach, and a carp", "A woman selling a flower" (4th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1935

34
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 5th Dokuritsu exhibition. Became a judge for the first time as a member. "A carp and a tuna", "Sand hill and crows", "Carriage of flowers", "A girl and a carpet", "The moon, an insect, and nude", "Plum trees" (5th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1936

35
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 6th Dokuritsu exhibition. "A fish, a shellfish and flowers", "Spring window", "Summer (diving)", "Peaceful scenery", "Girl with bouquet" (6th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1937

36
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 7th Dokuritsu exhibition.
Although the disturbance by the anti-mainstream faction happened in Showa 9 was subsided temporarily, but has surfaced again when Katsuzo Satomi who represents fauvisme with Ichiro Fukuzawa representing surrealism was opposed to each other. At the result, Shigeyoshi Hayashi, Ichinen Somiya, Ren Ito, Katsuzo Satomi, Koichi Tanaka and others left Dokuritsu Bijutsu Kyokai. Since Seno has studied under Katsuzo Satomi since the age of 1930 association, he left Dokuritsu Bijutsu Kyokai like Satomi. However, Seno did not join the new organization which Satomi formed, and separated from Satomi's movement. He did not join any association until he returned to Dokuritsu Bijutsu Kyokai in 1951.
While taking a walk in a certain day after making an exhibition end, Seno found the aterier in Inokashira by chance. He looked for the owner who agreed to borrow it to Seno and moved on May 23.		 "Drawing room", "Blue sky and a table", "Snowy day", "Town with sparrows", "A girl and figs" (7th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1938

37
 In Autumn Seno changed his job to another nonlife insurance company in autumn. His work there was that of insurance processing of the vessel which originated in war and suffered damage. He kept on drawing although ravages of war intensified with steps. 　

1943

42
 On March 24 Seno's mother Umeno died at the house in Seoul. Since he was under business trip, and spy information had become complicated, he could not return to Seoul to attend her funeral.
Seno planted in his yard red plum tree (red Ume tree) connected with his mother's name, Umeno.		 　

1945

44
 At the end of April Seno received the draft card and left for Hiroshima. In August when the World War II ended he was in Hiroshima, Otake marine corps. He came back to Inokashira in September where his atelier remained without being burned down. 　

1949

48
 By the data got by having been conscripted in the war last stage, Seno summarized Japanese merchant fleets' last moment in one book. This book was published from the nonlife insurance enterprise research institute and received a very good criticism. Although Seno had so far worked in order to draw without selling his pictures, this book stood small monumental work also about the work engaged sincerely. 　

1950

49
 Held two-person exhibition with Koichi in the Maruzen art gallery in spring. 　

1951

50
 Formed Dokuritsu junin no kai with Setsuya Nakamura, Saichiro Tanaka, Keisuke Kanno, Ichiro Matsushima, Karoku Higuchi, Seiji Kikuchi, Hajime Fujioka, Satsuo Nakama, Koichi Tanaka and others and held the first exhibition in Shiseido gallery. Since this year hit the 20th anniversary of the Dokuritsu Bijutsu, Seno's senior members and friends thought to hold this exhibition as the opportunity for withdrawers to return to members of Dokuritsu Bijutsu Kyokai with their formal work. Seno exhibited his work(s) on this exhibition as non-member again, won the prize and returned to a member. "Snowy rain" (previously "Snowy day") (20th anniversary Dokuritsu exhibition )

1952

51
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 20th Dokuritsu exhibition. Searched two children of the last younger sister who became orphans because of their parents' death, and found they were in Kagoshima and took care of them. "Cat and fireworks" "Relaxing traveler " "Seaside town" (the 20th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1953

52
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 21st exhibition and an Dokuritsu Bijutsu autumn exhibition. "Conversation on grass" becomes the cover page illustration of "Sunday Mainichi", and "Window with horses" became that of "Shukan Asahi". "Conversation on grass" "Sand hill" "White sun in the middle of the sky" (21st Dokuritsu exhibition) "Window with horses" (autumn exhibition)

1954

53
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 22nd Dokuritsu exhibition. "Shells", "Zoo" (22nd Dokuritsu exhibition)

1955

54
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 23rd Dokuritsu exhibition. "Listen, people, it rains outside of the window ", "Cultivating in every nook and cranny" (23rd Dokuritsu exhibition)

1956

55
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 24th Dokuritsu exhibition. "The world over a window frame", "Free gymnastics", "A watermelon and a child" (24th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1957

56
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 25th Dokuritsu exhibition. "The sky over a happy home", "walk with a dog" (25th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1958

57
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 26th Dokuritsu exhibition. "Snails in my garden", "Full moon", "A horse and an insect" (26th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1959

58
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 27th Dokuritsu exhibition. Exhibited his work(s) on the Dokuritsu junin no kai. "The rain falling on a mansion", "A boy with a hawk", "Fishes in the water" (27th Dokuritsu exhibition), "A boy's loneliness" (Dokuritsu junin no kai)

1960

59
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 28th Dokuritsu exhibition. Exhibited his work(s) on the Dokuritsu junin no kai. "There are arguments also here", "A hat under a happy star", "A town on an inclined hill" (28th Dokuritsu exhibition), "Butterbur flower stalks, a tile, etc."(Dokuritsu junin no kai)

1961

60
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 29th Dokuritsu exhibition. Exhibited his work(s) on the Dokuritsu junin no kai. "A top under the star-filled sky", "Stones, leaves and pheasants" (29th Dokuritsu exhibition), "Ancient earthen heads and a morning glory" (Dokuritsu junin no kai)

1962

61
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 30th Dokuritsu exhibition. "Insects, birds and also human beings...", "There are butterflies in the ocean floor garden that are named butterfly-fish" (30th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1963

62
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 31st Dokuritsu exhibition. "A moon reflected on a table", "People and birds" (31st Dokuritsu exhibition)

1964

63
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 32nd Dokuritsu exhibition.
In spring Seno's wife got sick and was hospitalized in the Ochanomizu Nihon University hospital. She suffered from diabetes, from this, came to inject with an insulin every day, and repeated hospitalization and leaving hospital throughout life.		 "Children walking at night in moonlight" (32nd Dokuritsu exhibition)

1965

64
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 33rd Dokuritsu exhibition.
Exhibited his work(s) on the Dokuritsu junin no kai.		 "A chair, a seed, and a specimen of a bird" (33rd Dokuritsu exhibition), "A boy with red shirt and a longicorn beetle" (Dokuritsu junin no kai)

1966

65
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 34th Dokuritsu exhibition. Exhibited his work(s) on the Dokuritsu junin no kai. "Visitors of an exhibition", "Cultivating in every nook and cranny" (34th Dokuritsu exhibition), "Eglets" (Dokuritsu junin no kai)

1967

66
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 35th Dokuritsu exhibition. Exhibited his work(s) on the Dokuritsu junin no kai. "Walking along the night journey", "A splendid table" (35th Dokuritsu exhibition), "The sun and clouds", "Which is faster..." (Dokuritsu junin no kai)

1968

67
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 36th Dokuritsu exhibition. "A cart out of a wall", "Drawing room where Mt. Fuji can be seen" (36th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1969

68
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 37th Dokuritsu exhibition. Exhibited his work(s) on the Dokuritsu junin no kai. "An engraver who carves the head of the Buddha", "A Kite and the sea" (37th Dokuritsu exhibition), "Portrait of a father and a daughter" (Dokuritsu junin no kai)

1970

69
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 38th Dokuritsu exhibition. Exhibited his work(s) on the Dokuritsu junin no kai. "Pond", "Birds flocking together among a big tree" (38th Dokuritsu exhibition), "A crane and a loach" (Dokuritsu junin no kai)

1971

70
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 39th Dokuritsu exhibition. "A black bird, a white bird, and the sea" (39th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1972

71
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 40th Dokuritsu exhibition. "The moon, a swamp, a tortoise", "Yellow carpet" (40th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1973

72
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 41st Dokuritsu exhibition. "Landscape from the high point" (41st Dokuritsu exhibition)

1974

73
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 42nd Dokuritsu exhibition.
On December his wife Mitsuko under hospitalization died.		 "Quarrel between chairs, quarrel between birds, quarrel between kites", "Pulling a red cow" (42nd Dokuritsu exhibition)

1975

74
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 43rd Dokuritsu exhibition.
By request of Sukemasa Irie, grand chamberlain to the Emperor Hirohito (Showa Emperor), Seno illustrated Irie's essay "Aji no gururi" (it serializes in the Tuesday evening paper of Nihon Keizai Shinbun) over one year and ten months. Then, this essay was published as a book.		 "Rug of dragon pattern", "A cat and a bird" (43rd Dokuritsu exhibition)

1976

75
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 44th Dokuritsu exhibition. "A mask in a museum", "Portrait of an woman" (44th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1977

76
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 45th Dokuritsu exhibition.
Draw illustration for an essay "Onjiki ujo" by a poet Osamu Kimata according to a request of Nihon Keizai Shinbun (it serializes in the evening paper on Tuesday) (for one year) This essay was behind published as a book.		 "Offering flowers to the stone statue of the Buddha", "Portrait of a little girl" (45th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1978

77
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 46th Dokuritsu exhibition. "An old man, a halk and a boy", "Taking flowers" (46th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1979

78
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 47th Dokuritsu exhibition. "mass for the Buddha", "Calendar of fishes" (47th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1980

79
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 48th Dokuritsu exhibition. "A warehouse and welsh onion flowers", "A basket for a morning fair" (48th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1981

80
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 49th Dokuritsu exhibition. "Portraits of father and his daughter under a star-filled sky", "When a forsythia blooms" (49th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1982

81
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 50th Dokuritsu exhibition. "A gas tank and migratory birds", "Flowers put on girls' head" (50th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1983

82
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 51st Dokuritsu exhibition.
On June 5 the following younger brother Tadashi (Tsuchiura Kasumigaura National Hospitals vice-director) wad dead of an illness. Moreover, on November 6 Shigeho (Nichimo president), the youngest brother was also dead of an illness.		 "Hat with flowers" "Cat and peaches" (51st Dokuritsu exhibition)

1984

83
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 52nd Dokuritsu exhibition. "Black carpet" (52nd Dokuritsu exhibition)

1985

84
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 53rd Dokuritsu exhibition. "Grandfather and grandchildren" (53rd Dokuritsu exhibition)

1986

85
 In an Ome City Museum a special exhibition "Masahiko Seno drawing business 60-year exhibition" was held in May.
Exhibited his work(s) on the 54th Dokuritsu exhibition.		 "Fishes, birds and flowers" (54th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1987

86
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 55th Anniversary Dokuritsu exhibition. "No title" (55th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1988

87
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 56th Dokuritsu exhibition. "Grandfather's birthday" (56th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1989

88
 Exhibited his work(s) on the 57th Dokuritsu exhibition. "Awe to the black sun" (57th Dokuritsu exhibition)

1990

89
 Died on July 29. His posthumous works were exhibited on the 58th Dokuritsu exhibition. "Flowers in a vase", "Horses and boy in a freight car" (58th Dokuritsu exhibition)