Watanabe Seitei (渡辺 省亭, 1851 - 1918), also known as Watanabe Shōtei, was a Japanese Nihonga painter who was one of the first Japanese painters to visit Europe, attending the 1878 International Exhibition in Paris and being awarded a medal. He blended Western realism with the delicate colours and washes of the Kikuchi Yōsai school, introducing a new approach to kachōga (bird-and-flower painting).

In late 2023 we challenged poets to create poetry based upon the artwork of Watanabe Seitei, and the poems produced were simply stunning. Poems for Watanabe Seitei is a beautifully produced anthology that is both beautiful and full of beauty, featuring a selection of poetry from 21 poets, alongside some of the work that inspired it.

Poetry is included from:Margaret RoyallRhiannon LewisSharron GreenNigel KentSarah O'GradyPatricia M OsborneBrian McManusCarol Lee Saffioti-HughesJohn HeringtonIsabel MilesOz HardwickCeinwen E Cariad HaydonChristine TokunagaSaskia AshbyHazel StarrittGreta RossJackie TrumanMoira GarlandCassia StevensFelice HardyMick Yates. .