Tamako Kataoka

Tamako Kataoka

Tamako Kataoka was a pioneering Nihonga (Japanese-style) painter who was active from the Shōwa to Heisei eras. She pursued a career in painting despite opposition from her parents. Early in her career, she faced repeated rejections from prestigious exhibitions such as the "Nitten" and "Inten", earning the nickname "The God of Rejections." Her bold use of colour and unconventional compositions, initially criticised as "vulgar", eventually became her signature style. Through her persistence, she established a powerful and unique visual language, culminating in celebrated works such as the "Mount Fuji series", which earned her widespread recognition and acclaim in the Japanese art world.