A Visionary of the Meiji and Taisho Eras Sakakibara Yuriko, known to history by her evocative pseudonym Ikeda Shōen, remains one of the most compelling figures in the evolution of Japanese modern art. Born in Tokyo in 1886, her life unfolded during a period of profound transformation in Japan, as the Meiji and Taisho eras introduced a complex dialogue between ancient tradition and burgeoning Western influence. Her lineage provided a unique foundation for this duality; she was the daughter of a samurai from the Kishiwada clan, yet her upbringing was steeped in an intellectual atmosphere that…