Matsue Yamada

Background

Yamada Matsue was born in 1897 in Tokyo, Japan.

Education

She left Shimizudani Girls' High School of Osaka without graduating. First studied Japanese painting and haiku poetry and later received instructions in history and technique of doll-making from Tekiho Nishizawa and others, ultimately succeeding in turning out dolls of uniqueness.

Career

Yamada Matsue had her work specially selected at 5th Nitten in 1949. She served as a judge at 7th Nitten in 1951. Today, the Nitten claims to be the largest combined art exhibition of its kind in the world. The Nitten comprises five art faculties; namely Japanese Style and Western Style Painting, Sculpture, Craft as Art and Calligraphy. Matsue's dolls, while retaining a traditional artistic sense of old costumed dolls, are also marked by the unique appeal of their own and have established a reputation as works of high artistic value.

Achievements

• Yamada Matsue had her work specially selected at 5th Nitten in 1949 and served as judge at 7th Nitten in 1951.
  
  She is considered one of the defenders of the artistic doll movement and a female artist who later became designated as a "Living National Treasure".