Born in Nagano prefecture. Original name Kikuchi Kanji. Studied nanga painting with Utsumi Kichido and Shijo painting with Kikuchi Hobun by whom he was later adopted. Traveled in Europe 1922-1923. Exhibited with Bunten. Taught at Kyoto City School of Fine Arts and Crafts and at Kyoto City Specialist School of Painting. Member of Art Committee of Imperial Household, Imperial Art Academy, and Japan Art Academy. Bijin-ga include Smiling Maiko, about 1950.** Taken in whole, or in part, with permission from: Merritt, Helen and Nanako Yamada. Guide to Modern Japanese Woodblock Prints: 1900-1975. University of Hawaii Press: Honolulu. 1992.