The Nihon Bijutsuin was founded by Okakura Tenshin in 1898, together with a group of artists, including Hashimoto Gahō, Yokoyama Taikan, Shimomura Kanzan, Hishida Shunsō and several others, in response to Okakura being ousted from the Tokyo School of Fine Arts.
Nihon Bijutsuin was resurrected a year later in 1914 under Yokoyama Taikan, who relocated it back to Yanaka, Tokyo.
The most important function of Nihon Bijutsuin is the organization and promotion of the inten (院展) biennial fine arts exhibitions.
The Spring Exhibition is held in early April, for two weeks at the Mitsukoshi Department Store in Tokyo, followed by a tour around Japan for four months, at ten different locations.
The Fall Exhibition is held in September for two weeks at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, followed by a year-long tour to 10 different locations around Japan.