Saru Gallery
       Japanese Prints & Japanese Paintings

Biography Katayama, Gashu (1877 - 1942)

Katayama Gashu was born in Kyoto. In 1894 he began studying Shijo painting with Kono Bairei (1844-1895). Due to the death of his master in the next year, he changed ateliers and began studying under Imao Keinen (1845-1924), perhaps Kyoto's preeminent artist of the time. In 1897 he won a second prize at the Tokyo Fine Arts Exhibition and subsequently he was invited to Tokyo to study under Hashimoto Gahô (1835-1908). Family commitments forced his return to Kyoto, and he moved to Kennin-ji temple to study zen under Takeda Mokurai (1854-1930). Mokurai, which literally translates to 'silent thunder', was a highly influential zen priest of his time and at the age of 39 became the abbot of one of the oldest Zen temples in Kyoto, Kennin-ji. He became a monk at the age of ten, receiving his official enlightenment from the Priest Yuzen (1842-1918). He was actively involved with artists of the day, including Tsuji Kakô.