Born in Ibaraki, Yokoyama Taikan was a member of the first graduating class of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. In 1898, following his master Okakura Tenshin, he participated in the founding of the Japan Art Academy and published work featuring the mossen (“painting without outline”) technique, inspired by elements of Western painting. Later, as the Academy moved, he came to live in Izura in Ibaraki. In 1914, following his late master’s will, he revived the Academy. He spent his entire life in pursuit of his master’s ideals, and established a magnanimous artistic world that was unique to him. In 1937 he became one of the first people to receive the Cultural Medal.