Takeo Takei

[citation needed] He was one of the first to create high-quality illustrations for children and was an early advocate of making artwork that respected and nurtured a child's imagination.

[citation needed] Nearly one hundred years after his work was first published, his influence in illustration, manga, animation, graphic design, computer game character and even advertising is as strong as ever.

It embodied a democratic and individualistic approach to children's education that emerged during the Taisho democracy in Japan (1912-1926), and that mirrored Takei's personal philosophy.

In 1927, Takei helped found the Nihon Doga Kyokai (Japan Association of Illustration for Children).

[4] Takei's mediums of choice for his fantastical, surreal, but always accessible drawings were watercolors, crayon, and pen and ink.

[7] The house which Takeo Takei had lived until he was 19 years old is still standing in Okaya, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

It collects and exhibits original illustrations of children's books by Takeo Takei, Maurice Sendak and other artists.