early life and career zenkichi nagano, also known by his pseudonym shiotsuki toho (塩月桃甫, shiotsuki tōho), was a japanese painter from miyazaki, born on february 27, 1886. little is known about his formative years beyond his birthplace and initial artistic inclinations. however, he began his artistic journey in earnest during the edo period, immersing himself in traditional nihonga techniques—a style characterized by meticulous brushwork, muted colors, and a focus on capturing subtle nuances of light and atmosphere. early influences included masters of landscape painting who championed realism…