**Komura Settai** (1887 - 1940). Shin Hanga artist. He was
born in Kawagoe, Saitama. He studied nihonga
under Araki Kanpo in 1903 and entered the nihonga course at the Tokyo
School of Fine Arts in 1904 where he studied under Shimomura Kanzan.
He graduated in 1908 and worked at the studio producing the art
journal Kokka, making woodblock printed copies of paintings.
His unique illustrations influenced by
Suzuki Harunobu's colours and Aubrey Beardsley's black and white
drawing technique, made him a very popular illustrator. His important
"Odenjigoku" (The hell of the Oden) series, since 1933, was commissioned by the author of the
novel, for his private use. A small number of his prints were
published after his death. He also worked as an art director for the
theatre and as an art consultant.
Source: Helen Merritt, Modern
Japanese Prints
