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Behold the mighty course of nihonga through the modern and contemporary eras: works by all 117 full members of the Nihon Bijutsuin.

The Nihon Bijutsuin (Japan Art Institute)—founded in 1898 by Okakura Tenshin and a group of artists including Yokoyama Taikan, Shimomura Kanzan, and Hishida Shunso—sought to realize Tenshin’s ideals for the creation of nihonga (Japanese-style painting) fit for the modern age. After an unfortunate period of inactivity forced partly by lack of public appreciation of its innovative practices, the association was relaunched by Taikan and several fellow artists in 1914, one year after Tenshin’s death. This renewed Nihon Bijutsuin endures today as the organizer of the annual Revived Inten, one of the largest open exhibitions devoted to nihonga in Japan; the exhibition marks its 110th iteration in September 2025.

Throughout 110 years, only 117 artists have satisfied the rigorous standards required to ascend to the leadership of this prestigious association as full members. Those individuals have been instrumental in carrying nihonga from the modern era through to the present day, and this compendium takes their century-long legacy further into the future by amassing their art in a single volume. Each member is represented by two works: their first major success, and another painting either deemed their greatest achievement or (for those who are living) chosen for inclusion by the artist themselves.

The artists (in order of appearance)
Chapter 1. The Members behind the Revival
Yokoyama Taikan, Shimomura Kanzan, Kimura Buzan, Yasuda Yukihiko, Imamura Shiko

Chapter 2. Taisho Era (1912–1926)
Kobayashi Kokei, Maeda Seison, Ochi Shokan, Tomita Keisen, Nakamura Gakuryo, Arai Kampo, Yamamura Koka, Hudeya Tokan, Nagano Sofu, Hashimoto Seisui, Ogawa Usen, Kitano Tsunetomi, Hayami Gyoshu, Kawabata Ryushi, Shindo Reimei, Kondo Koichiro, Omoda Seiju, Hashimoto Eiho, Kobayashi Kahaku, Gokura Senjin, Katayama Nampu, Sakai Sanryo, Tomitori Fudo, Koyama Taigetsu

Chapter 3. Showa I (1926–1952)
Okumura Togyu, Ogura Yuki, Tanaka Seihyo, Ota Chou, Nakamura Teii, Arai Shori, Kitazawa Eigetsu, Koyatsu Ningyu, Komatsu Hitoshi, Nakajima Kiyoshi, Kataoka Tamako, Nakajima Tamotsu, Iwahashi Eien, Haneishi Koji, Kiyohara Hitoshi, Baba Fuji, Shimada Totsuro, Mano Mitsuru

Chapter 4. Showa II and Heisei Era (1953–2019)
Konno Chuichi, Fukuoji Horin, Suda Kyochu, Gokura Kazuko, Higasa Sukei, Shiode Hideo, Kikukawa Taka, Hirayama Ikuo, Shoji Fuku, Yoshida Yoshihiko, Okamoto Yasuko, Tokiwa Taiku, Morita Kohei, Matsuo Toshio, Goto Sumio, Kojima Tanyo, Moriya Tadashi, Wakaki Takashi, Kamakura Hideo, Tsukioka Eiki, Hasegawa Seicho, Iwakabe Fujio, Matsumoto Tetsuo, Sekiguchi Masao, Takahashi Tsuneo, Yamanaka Yukito, Shimizu Tatsuzo, Kikukawa Mioko, Koyatsu Masami, Mizutani Aiko, Kawase Maroshi, Ono Momoki, Imai Shusen

Chapter 5. Current Members
Shimoda Yoshihiro, Oyama Katashi, Fukui Sawato, Ito Hohji, Tabuchi Toshio, Nabatame Koichi, Tezuka Yuji, Fukuoji Kazuhiko, Umehara Yukio, Miyasako Masaaki, Nishida Shunei, Matsumura Koji, Oya Nori, Takahashi Tenzan, Yoshimura Seiji, Murakami Yuji, Kurashima Shigetomo, Shimizu Yoshiro, Saito Mitsuei, Odano Naoyuki, Miyakita Chiori, Ono Itsuo, Kitano Katsumi, Muraoka Kimio, Ide Yasuto, Maehara Mitsuo, Nakamura Yuzuru, Kunishi Hanako, Waraya Minoru, Kishino Kaori, Matsumoto Takaaki, Banba Mitsuo, Takashima Keishi, Yamamoto Hiroyuki, Yamada Shin, Maeda Chikara, Takebe Masako

Essays
In Pursuit of Ideals through the Modern and Contemporary Eras (Sato Doshin, professor emeritus, Tokyo University of the Arts)
Themes in the Revived Inten (Furuta Ryo, professor, Tokyo University of the Arts University Art Museum)
The Nihon Bijutsuin Members in the Reiwa Era (Shiino Akifumi, curator, Sen-oku Hakukokan Museum Tokyo)

Congratulatory comments
Takizawa Tomoyuki (nihonga artist)
Takeuchi Koichi (nihonga artist)
Tsuchiya Reiichi (nihonga artist)