Biography

Tomo-oka's photographs can be described as contemporary Nihonga-style pictures. They represent a new painting form that is carried out not with ink and brushes but using a digital camera then printing the resulting image on handmade paper. All Japanese art consists of one element that artist Takashi Murakami refers to as 'super flat,' which says they do not utilize perspective but present a two-dimensional space instead. Tomo-oka's photographs indeed appear flat, and so continues the tradition. He photographs the area and the composition to embody Rimpa style.

Born in Kyoto in 1971, he often accompanied his father to bamboo groves, bringing him close to nature and plants. He also watched his mother as she delivered the clothes that she had made for her customers. While he was in senior high school, he had a part-time job working as a florist. He became familiar with the flowers used for ikebana and the various blossoming trees and other forms of plant life used to decorate traditional restaurants and inns. During his university years, he worked part-time as a landscaping gardener, providing him with the opportunity to enter the gardens of famous temples, such as Byodoin, or Ryoanji, that are not open to the general public. In the same way that the great artist OGATA Korin (1658 0 1716) learned his skill at design as a result of having been born into a family of kimono merchandise, so Tomo-oka obtained his knowledge of his subjects through these jobs working with plants.

Works
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, 「南天」(1/15) Heavenly Bamboo, 2020
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    「南天」(1/15) Heavenly Bamboo, 2020
    軸 Scroll
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, 「蒲公英 4」(1/15)Tempopo, Dandelion 4 Scroll, 2020
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    「蒲公英 4」(1/15)Tempopo, Dandelion 4 Scroll, 2020
    軸 Scroll
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, 「紅梅 4」(2/15)Red Plum Blossoms 4, 2020
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    「紅梅 4」(2/15)Red Plum Blossoms 4, 2020
    額 Framed
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, 「菜の花 1」(1/15) Rape Blossoms 1, 2020
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    「菜の花 1」(1/15) Rape Blossoms 1, 2020
    額 Framed
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, 「藤 8」(1/15) Wisteria 8, 2020
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    「藤 8」(1/15) Wisteria 8, 2020
    額 Framed
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, 「椿 7」(1/5) Camelia7, 2020
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    「椿 7」(1/5) Camelia7, 2020
    額 Framed
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Actinidia Chinensis, Onimatatabi, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Actinidia Chinensis, Onimatatabi, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Akebi, 2011
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Akebi, 2011
    Photograph
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Amaryllis 1, Amaryllis, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Amaryllis 1, Amaryllis, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Asian Virginsbower, Tessen, 2012
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Asian Virginsbower, Tessen, 2012
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Asiatic Jasmine 1, Teikakazura, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Asiatic Jasmine 1, Teikakazura, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Atractylodes 1, Okera, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Atractylodes 1, Okera, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Ayame 1, Ayame, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Ayame 1, Ayame, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Ayame 2, Ayame, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Ayame 2, Ayame, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Azami 1, Azami, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Azami 1, Azami, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Azami 2, Azami, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Azami 2, Azami, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Bamboo 1, Take, 2015
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Bamboo 1, Take, 2015
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Bamboo 2, Take, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Bamboo 2, Take, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Bamboo 3, Take, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Bamboo 3, Take, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Bamboo Ginger, 2010
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Bamboo Ginger, 2010
    Photograph
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Bamboo Ginger, 2010
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Bamboo Ginger, 2010
    Photograph
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Bamboo Lily, 2010
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Bamboo Lily, 2010
    Photograph
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Benisagi 1, Benisagi, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Benisagi 1, Benisagi, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Bichuko 2, Bichuko, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Bichuko 2, Bichuko, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Black Lily 1, Kuroyuri, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Black Lily 1, Kuroyuri, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Byakkoren 1, Byakkoren, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Byakkoren 1, Byakkoren, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Calameae 2, Fuji, 2012
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Calameae 2, Fuji, 2012
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Calameae 3, Fuji, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Calameae 3, Fuji, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Calameae 4, Fuji, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Calameae 4, Fuji, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Calameae 5, Fuji, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Calameae 5, Fuji, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Calameae 6, Fuji, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Calameae 6, Fuji, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Calameae 7, Fuji, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Calameae 7, Fuji, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Calla 1, Calla, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Calla 1, Calla, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Camellia 1, Tsubaki, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Camellia 1, Tsubaki, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Camellia 2, Tsubaki, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Camellia 2, Tsubaki, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Camellia 3, Tsubaki, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Camellia 3, Tsubaki, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Camellia 4, Tsubaki, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Camellia 4, Tsubaki, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Camellia 5, Tsubaki, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Camellia 5, Tsubaki, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Camellia 6, Tsubaki, 2017
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Camellia 6, Tsubaki, 2017
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Camellia 7, Tsubaki, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Camellia 7, Tsubaki, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Carolina-Allspice 1, Kurobanarobai, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Carolina-Allspice 1, Kurobanarobai, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Casa Blanca, Casa Blanca, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Casa Blanca, Casa Blanca, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Cherry Blossom, 2011
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Cherry Blossom, 2011
    Photograph
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Cherry Blossom 1, Sakura, 2012
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Cherry Blossom 1, Sakura, 2012
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Cherry Blossom 2, Sakura, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Cherry Blossom 2, Sakura, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Cherry Blossom 3, Sakura, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Cherry Blossom 3, Sakura, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Cherry Blossom 4, Sakura, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Cherry Blossom 4, Sakura, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Cherry Blossom 5, Sakura, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Cherry Blossom 5, Sakura, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Cherry Blossom 6, Sakura, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Cherry Blossom 6, Sakura, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Cherry Blossom 7, Sakura, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Cherry Blossom 7, Sakura, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Chestnut 1, Kuri, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Chestnut 1, Kuri, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Chinese Peony, 2010
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Chinese Peony, 2010
    Photograph
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Chinese Peony 2, Syakuyaku, 2012
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Chinese Peony 2, Syakuyaku, 2012
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Chodenjikoren, Chodenjikoren, 2017
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Chodenjikoren, Chodenjikoren, 2017
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Christmas Holly , 2010
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Christmas Holly , 2010
    Photograph
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Christmas Rose 1, Christmas Rose, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Christmas Rose 1, Christmas Rose, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Christmas Rose 2, Christmas Rose, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Christmas Rose 2, Christmas Rose, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Christmas Rose 3, Christmas Rose, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Christmas Rose 3, Christmas Rose, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Christmas Rose 4, Christmas Rose, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Christmas Rose 4, Christmas Rose, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Christmas Rose 5, Christmas Rose, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Christmas Rose 5, Christmas Rose, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Christmas Rose 6, Christmas Rose, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Christmas Rose 6, Christmas Rose, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Chrysanthemum 1, Kiku, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Chrysanthemum 1, Kiku, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Chrysanthemum 2, Kiku, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Chrysanthemum 2, Kiku, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Chrysanthemum 3, Kiku, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Chrysanthemum 3, Kiku, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Chrysanthemum 4, Kiku, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Chrysanthemum 4, Kiku, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Chrysanthemum 5, Kiku, 2017
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Chrysanthemum 5, Kiku, 2017
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Chrysanthemum 6, Kiku, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Chrysanthemum 6, Kiku, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Cocculus Orbiculatu 1, Ao-tsuzura-fuji, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Cocculus Orbiculatu 1, Ao-tsuzura-fuji, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Cocculus Orbiculatu 2, Ao-tsuzura-fuji, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Cocculus Orbiculatu 2, Ao-tsuzura-fuji, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Daffodil, Suisen, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Daffodil, Suisen, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Dahlia, 2010
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Dahlia, 2010
    Photograph
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Dahlia, 2010
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Dahlia, 2010
    Photograph
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Dahlia, 2010
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Dahlia, 2010
    Photograph
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Dandelion 1, Tanpopo, 2012
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Dandelion 1, Tanpopo, 2012
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Dandelion 2
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Dandelion 2
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Dandelion 2, Tanpopo, 2012
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Dandelion 2, Tanpopo, 2012
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Dandelion 3, Tanpopo, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Dandelion 3, Tanpopo, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Dayflower 1, Tsuyukusa, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Dayflower 1, Tsuyukusa, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Diamond Lily 1, Diamond Lily, 2012
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Diamond Lily 1, Diamond Lily, 2012
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Dokudami 1, Dokudami, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Dokudami 1, Dokudami, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Dokudami 2, Dokudami, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Dokudami 2, Dokudami, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Dokudami 3, Dokudami, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Dokudami 3, Dokudami, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Dried Lotus 1, Karehasu, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Dried Lotus 1, Karehasu, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Dried Lotus 2, Karehasu, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Dried Lotus 2, Karehasu, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Dried Lotus 3, Karehasu, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Dried Lotus 3, Karehasu, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Dried Lotus 4, Karehasu, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Dried Lotus 4, Karehasu, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Dried Lotus 5, Karehasu, 2017
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Dried Lotus 5, Karehasu, 2017
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Ear of Rice 2, Inaho, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Ear of Rice 2, Inaho, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Empress Tree 1, Kiri, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Empress Tree 1, Kiri, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Ficus Erecta 1, Inubiwa, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Ficus Erecta 1, Inubiwa, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Foxtail Millet 1, Kuri, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Foxtail Millet 1, Kuri, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Gentiana Scabra 1, Rindo, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Gentiana Scabra 1, Rindo, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Ginkgo 2, Ginnan, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Ginkgo 2, Ginnan, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Ginkgo 3, Ginnan, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Ginkgo 3, Ginnan, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Gourd, Hyotan, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Gourd, Hyotan, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Grape 1, Budo, 2012
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Grape 1, Budo, 2012
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Grape 2, Budo, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Grape 2, Budo, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Hakumokuren 5, Shiromokuren, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Hakumokuren 5, Shiromokuren, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Hibiscus 1, Fuyo, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Hibiscus 1, Fuyo, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Horsetail 1, Tsukushi, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Horsetail 1, Tsukushi, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Hyacinth Orchid, 2010
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Hyacinth Orchid, 2010
    Photograph
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Iris 1, Kakitsubata, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Iris 1, Kakitsubata, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Japanese Daffodil 1, Nihonsuisen, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Japanese Daffodil 1, Nihonsuisen, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Japanese Daffodil 2, Nihonsuisen, 2019
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Japanese Daffodil 2, Nihonsuisen, 2019
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Japanese Toad Lily 1, Hototogisu, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Japanese Toad Lily 1, Hototogisu, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Japanese Toad Lily 3, Hototogisu, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Japanese Toad Lily 3, Hototogisu, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Japanese Toad Lily, Hototogisu, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Japanese Toad Lily, Hototogisu, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Kenmiren 1, Kenburen, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Kenmiren 1, Kenburen, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Kikkacha, Kikkacha, 2014
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Kikkacha, Kikkacha, 2014
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Komurasaki 1, Komurasaki, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Komurasaki 1, Komurasaki, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Kuwana White Lotus 2, Kuwana-Hakuren, 2016
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Kuwana White Lotus 2, Kuwana-Hakuren, 2016
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Kuwana White Lotus 3, Kuwana-Hakuren, 2017
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Kuwana White Lotus 3, Kuwana-Hakuren, 2017
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Kuwana White Lotus, Kuwana-Hakuren, 2013
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Kuwana White Lotus, Kuwana-Hakuren, 2013
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Kuwana White Lotus, Kuwana-Hakuren
    Takashi Tomo-oka
    Kuwana White Lotus, Kuwana-Hakuren
    Photography
  • Takashi Tomo-oka, Lily 1, Yuri, 2012