Ishikawa Kinichiro was born in 1871 (Meiji Dynasty year 4) in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Ishikawa graduated from Teishinsho (Ministry of Transportation and Communication) Tokyo Telecommunication School. As a teenager, Ishikawa learned painting from Shodai Tameshige. After Ishikawa joined Meiji Fine Arts Association, he was deeply influenced by British watercolor painter Alfred East (1849-1913). In 1897, Ishikawa became a disciple of Kawamura Kiyoo with whom Ishikawa cofounded Tomoe Society. Ishikawa’s work Morinomichi (Path in the Forest) was selected in the first “Ministry of Education Art Exhibition.” Until 1936, his works were selected in the “Imperial Art Exhibition” four times. He was also granted with a direct entry qualification for new “Ministry of Education Art Exhibition.” In 1943, his artwork entered “Meiji Masterwork of Fine Arts Exhibition.” Ishikawa joined the General Staff Office of Japanese Army as an interpreter officer in 1900 and was sent to join the Eight-Nation Alliance and transferred to the general headquarters of the Manchurian Army. In 1907 and 1924, Ishikawa had his two long-term stays in Taiwan. During his stays, Ishikawa taught paintings at Taipei High School, in the Department of Painting in the Japanese Language School of Taiwan Provincial Government, and Taipei Normal School. Besides introducing Taiwanese customs and landscapes with his works and articles, Ishikawa exchanged his experiences and opinions with Taiwanese painters through his sketches, and he encouraged his students to organize art societies such as Chihsing Painters ̓ Group, Taiwan Watercolor Painting Society, and Chidao She (Red Island Society). Under his instruction were the first generation of Taiwanese western-style painters, including Ni Jiang-huai, Chen Zhi-qi, Li Shih-chiao, Li Mei-shu, Li Che-fan. In 1927, Ishikawa prompted Taiwan provincial government to set up “Taiwan Fine Arts Exhibition”. Ishikawa also served as the jury of western painting department for the exhibition. His guidance was significant to the development of Taiwanese art scene.

Overlooking Taipei from the Taiwan Shinto Shrine illustrates the overlooking view of Taipei City from Taiwan Shinto Shrine (now Grand Hotel, Taipei). Taiwan Shinto Shrine was built by the Japanese as a tribute to Imperial Prince Kitashirakawanomiya Yoshihisa who led his military to Taiwan. Ishikawa made use of three major color hues to divide plains, towns, and landscapes. The higher red building in the middle of the composition is the central tower of Taiwan Provincial Government Building. Ishikawa’s simple and unrestrained strokes displayed a clear bright and unadorned style of his own. The theme of this work was designated as the “special selection” of the 1927 “Vote for New Eight Wonders of Taiwan” event. It goes without saying that the work adapts a theme of overlooking the highest political and administrative government building from Taiwan Shrine and reveals the power of colonialism overruling the space of Taiwan.

During his first stay (1907-1916) in Taiwan, Ishikawa was mainly engaged in the major art events related to Japan. From time to time, Ishikawa would invite Japanese watercolor masters such as Miyake Katsumi to hold exhibitions in order to promote the development of watercolor paintings in Taiwan. Additionally, Ishikawa introduced customs and landscapes of Taiwan with illustrations and articles he published in the New Taiwan Daily News. The second time Ishikawa stayed in Taiwan (1924-1932), he actively promoted the development of Taiwanese art education through teaching, publishing, and giving lectures. The watercolor painting style Ishikawa promoted featured a new natural spirit with bright and saturated colors which are found in the impressionist paintings and thus broadened the vision of western art. The first generation Taiwanese western-style painters successively passed the seeds of art around the island and had great influence on early art education and the modernization of art in Taiwan. Their contributions are immeasurable.