Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko, Sakai

Shima Seien was born in Sakai in 1892. She lived there as a child before relocating to Osaka. By the age of 20, she had risen to prominence as a renowned nihonga (Japanese-style painting) artist, and was, in fact, one of many up and coming female artists in Osaka at the time. The exhibition features a selection of her paintings of women as well as an untitled self-portrait, an art considered uncommon in Japan. The striking painting depicts her with an imaginary blue birthmark, commonly found on newborns, sitting in front of an unfinished painting, suggesting her immaturity. Much of her work also includes images of her childhood home Sakai. Three of her works are designated as Municipal Cultural Properties of Osaka.