The Artist’s Son, Takeshi

In 1950 Chihiro married Zenmei Matsumoto, and in April of the following year she gave birth to a boy, Takeshi. At the time, Zenmei was studying to become a lawyer, thus the family had to rely on Chihiro’s income. For this reason, Chihiro reluctantly asked her parents, who lived in Matsukawa Village, Nagano Prefecture (where Chihiro Art Museum Azumino currently stands), to temporarily look after her child so she could concentrate on her work. This sketch, inscribed with the words “My beloved Takeshi,” was made when Chihiro paid a visit from Tokyo to see her son. Upon returning to Tokyo, she pinned the sketch in front of her drawing desk and worked diligently, dreaming of the day when her family could all live together again.