[1] Masamu Yanase was born January 12, 1900,[2] in Ehime, Japan,[3] and his family relocated to Fukuoka where he spent his childhood until age 14.

During his teenage years he changed his given name, Shōroku, to Masamu, and included the kanji character for "dream" (夢) into his chosen name.

His abilities allowed him to find patrons for his work, and this in turn enabled him to continue making art.

[3] He became interested in political issues, and became intrigued with the Constructivist movement, it was at that time that he joined the avant garde radical art collective, Mavo.

[8] In 1932, he was arrested and tortured by the Special Higher Police on suspicion of violating the Peace Preservation Law.