Yumeji Takehisa1884~1934 竹久夢二

TAKEHISA Yumeji (real name Takehisa Mojiro) was a Japanese painter and poet born on September 16, 1884, in Okayama Prefecture, who died on September 1, 1934. He created numerous bijinga (paintings of beautiful women) whose lyrical style became known as “Yumeji-style beauties,” and as a leading artist of the Taisho Roman movement he was sometimes called “the Taisho-era ukiyo-e master.” He produced illustrations for children’s magazines and literary works, and was active in poetry, songwriting, and fairy tales; his poem “Yoimachigusa” was set to music and became widely beloved as a popular song. He also designed book bindings, advertisements, everyday goods, and yukata, and is regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Japanese graphic design.