Tateishi Tetuomi was born in Taipei in 1905 (Meiji dynasty year 38). Tateishi first learned the style of Maruyama-Shijo School from Kawabata Art School. Later Tateishi studied from the western style master painter Kishida Ryuusei and then studies with Umehara Ryuusaburou. His was also inspired by Vincent van Gogh and Yorozu Tetsugoro. One can feel the artist’s passion on the canvas. Tateishi was deeply influenced by all these features therefore one can see the unrestrained strokes, heavy oil-based paint and bright colors together in Tateishi’s rhythmic and dynamic works. Tateishi began to participate in “National Painting Association Exhibition” from 1928 on. As for his participation in “Taiwan Fine Arts Exhibition,” Tateishi won Taiwan-Japan Prize (the eighth) and the Special Selection Prize (the ninth). He was also involved in founding Tai-yang Art Society and Sosaku-hanga Kyokai (Japan Creative Print Art Association).

In 1939, Tateishi was recruited by the Department of Science and Agriculture, Taipei Empire University as a specialist to portray specimen samples. Tateishi managed to invent a detailed painting skill. From July 1941 on, Tateishi served as an editor for Folklore Taiwan magazine. The magazine was founded by Kanaseki Takeo and others. Tateishi was able to illustrate and describe scenes and landscapes of Taiwan in print arts and narrations in his column “Taiwan Folklore Illustration.” The magazine has left countless precious data and information about Taiwanese society and set up Tateishi as the pioneer of Taiwan print artists. After returning to Japan, in 1962, Tateishi completed his Taiwan Sketch Book with paintings which illustrated local Taiwan customs and practices in his memory. On the back cover of the book, Tateishi noted: “I love Taiwan” which showed his affection and his deep yearning for Taiwan. In 1965, Tateishi held his “Sketch in Colors,” “The Island of Memory” personal exhibition. Many of the works exhibited were identical to his Taiwan Sketch Book. These were his survey, sketch, and record published in “Taiwan Folklore Illustration.” One can tell how important Taiwan is for Tateishi.

The Water Lily Pond with the Reflection of the Sun was selected as the recommended artwork of the fifth “Taiwan Governmental Fine Arts Exhibition.” In this work, the artist takes up the reflection of the midday sun in the lotus pond as his theme. The figure of the lotus leaves and the changing of colors were illustrated in details. The colors of the sun, clouds and water add abundance to the composition of the painting. The work was completed during World War II, and one can see that the artist boldly portrayed the refection of the symbol of Japanese spirit—the sun, in the painting. As a Japanese citizen who feels affection for Taiwan, the metaphoric painting reveals the annoyance of the reality of warfare that disturbs the artist.

From July 1941 on, Tateishi began to participate in Folklore Taiwan and published “Taiwan Folklore Illustration” in installments. He was also in charge of binding the cover and adding illustrations to the magazine. He observed situations and scenes in every corner of Taiwan—the circumstances of people working, the fashion and posture of the Taiwanese, and the custom and practice in Taiwan society. Tateishi recorded and illustrated all these in detail with his paintings. His illustrations were important documents for understanding Taiwanese folk life and custom during Japanese occupation. Meanwhile, Tateishi published his commentaries and sketches on Taiwan landscapes in newspapers and magazines such as Taiwan Times, Taiwan Police Times, Artistic Taiwan, New Taiwan Daily News, and New Constructions.