Yusan Watanabe

Yusan Watanabe is a Japanese sumi-e (ink wash painting) artist based in Yokohama, Japan.
She completed her master's degree in Applied Biological Science at the Graduate School of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science and has spent her career in regulatory affairs for the pharmaceutical industry.

She began studying sumi-e in 2011, in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, as a way to reconnect with Japanese culture. She has since earned an instructor certification (2016) and a master instructor certification (2018) from the International Sumi-e Association (国際墨画会).
Her artist name, "Yusan," was taken from her husband's grandfather's pen name, "Sugi-an."

Working only in sumi ink, Watanabe seeks to capture the quiet beauty of everyday subjects and to paint scenes no one else has painted before.

M.S., Applied Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science (東京理科大学大学院 理工学研究科 応用生物科学専攻)
2016 — Instructor Certification, International Sumi-e Association (国際墨画会 講師資格)
2018 — Master Instructor Certification, International Sumi-e Association (国際墨画会 師範資格)

Awards

• 2024 — Minister for Foreign Affairs Award, International Sumi-e Association Exhibition — "Toco Toucan Beneath Palm Trees"（パーム樹下のオニオオハシ／外務大臣賞）
• 2023 — Grand Prize, International Sumi-e Association — "Peacock"（孔雀／国際墨画会大賞）
• 2021 — Fuji Sankei Business i Award, International Sumi-e Association Exhibition — "Flamingos"（フラミンゴ図）
• 2018 — Culture Award, International Sumi-e Association Exhibition — "Cloud Dragon"（雲龍図／文化賞）
• 2014 — Encouragement Award, International Sumi-e Association Exhibition — "Camellia"（椿図／奨励賞）

Exhibitions（Selected / Group）
2026 — Le Salon 2026, Paris — "Sun"（ル・サロン2026 入選）
2026 — "Art & Graphic" Group Exhibition, RECTO VERSO GALLERY
2025 — Art Incubation NY Open Call — "Reflection"（入選）
2023 — International Sumi-e Association Exhibition — "Morning Glory (Asa no Yokabana)"（朝の容花／入選）
2022 — International Sumi-e Association Exhibition — "Goldfish Swimming", "Blue"（金魚遊泳図・蒼／入選）
2022 — Sesshu International Art Association Exhibition — "Blue"（雪舟国際美術協会展）
2019 — "A Bridge to Japanese Art," London — "Cloud Dragon"
2019 — International Sumi-e Association Exhibition — "White Tiger", "Vermillion Bird"（白虎図・朱雀図／入選）
2017 — New Japan-China Ink Painting Exchange Exhibition, Singapore — "Eyelashes"
2016 — Internation...