early life and training uemura shōen, known by her real name uemura tsune, was a pioneering artist in meiji, taishō, and early shōwa period japanese painting. born on april 23, 1875, in shimogyō ward, kyoto, she grew up in an all-female household after her father's passing. her mother’s tea shop attracted refined clientele for the art of japanese tea ceremony, exposing uemura to a cultured environment from an early age. At twelve years old, uemura demonstrated considerable skill in drawing human figures—a talent that would define her artistic trajectory. Her mother’s unwavering support fuele…