Toshio Arimoto

Toshio Arimoto was a Japanese painter deeply inspired by Italian Renaissance masters such as Giotto and Piero della Francesca, as well as Japan’s ancient Buddhist sculptures and Heike Nokyo manuscripts. He was drawn to the strength and timelessness of classical forms and styles, which significantly influenced his work. Over his lifetime, Arimoto produced fewer than 400 paintings, primarily using mineral pigments, acrylic, and traditional animal glue (nikawa) on canvas. His works frequently feature goddess-like female figures, often accompanied by motifs such as clouds, flower petals, playing cards, and curtains. Beyond painting, he explored sculpture, wood carving, and printmaking, leaving behind a collection of watercolour sketches. A devoted admirer of Baroque music, he played the recorder and even experimented with composing a few pieces.