Uehara Konen (上原古年, 1877–1940)

Uehara Konen (上原古年, 1878–1940) was a Japanese painter and print artist active from the late Meiji period into the early Shōwa era. Born in Tokyo (often noted as the Asakusa area), he trained under Kajita Hanko and later Matsumoto Fūkō, and built a career centered on atmospheric landscape painting, regularly exhibiting and receiving recognition in official art circles.

Alongside painting, Konen is also known for color woodblock prints, producing quiet, lyrical scenes that bridge traditional themes with modern print culture. His works are often appreciated for their calm composition, subtle mood, and careful attention to natural light and place.

Because Japanese visual culture historically blends local custom with Buddhist and Shinto influences, Western categories like “religion” or “fine art” do not always map neatly onto how these images were made or understood. A useful way to approach Konen’s work is to focus on composition, atmosphere, and the modern re-framing of classical motifs through printmaking.