Toshio Aoki (1853-1912). Original Watercolour. Orchids and Hummingbird

Much of Aoki's early life in Japan is speculation, ranging from artistic pursuits (student of acting, or street artist) to the grand and spectacular (a Samurai opposed to the new Japanese government). Upon moving to San Francisco, he worked for a Japanese art importer named G.T. Marsh, painting spontaneous seki-e (“on the spot” or “before the viewers’ eyes”). He built a reputation as a storyteller, sketching comical figures and eventually landing an illustrating job at the San Francisco Call.

Upon moving to Pasadena, California, Aoki worked to shed his reputation as an amusing character and storyteller and to be taken seriously as an artist. He began to work on “Oriental receptions,” creating an atmosphere of a Japanese masquerade ball. Aoki also enjoyed designing theatrical sets for local performances, such as Madame Butterfly. In his artwork, he experimented with the combination of Western and Asian ideals. His mixture of Chinese goddesses and personifications of Liberty create an image that can be geared towards an international audience. His love affair with fantasy helped to build a stronger connection between Orientalist art and its new American audience.

Toshio Aoki 1854-1912 was active/lived in California / Japan.  Toshio Aoki is known for painting.

Toshio Aoki (also sometimes mistakenly called Tershui) (1854, in Yokohama, Japan – 1912, in San Diego, California) was a Japanese American artist and painter who lived and worked in California at the turn of the 20th century.

Aoki found significant success among the American upper class and was known for hosting social events.  Guests of his are alleged to have included John D. Rockefeller and J. P. Morgan.

He was born in Yokohama, Japan in 1854.  He emigrated to the United States around 1880.

He exhibited at the World's Columbian Exhibition in Chicago in 1893, and the Art Institute of Chicago gave him a showing in 1924.