was a Japanese academic, art historian, curator, editor, and sometime public servant who specialized in the history of Japanese art.
Tanaka was born in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture.
He attended and, both in Tsuruoka, before entering (presently, University of Tokyo) in 1918. He received an undergraduate degree from the at the same institution in 1923.[1]
From 1924-1926 Tanaka served on the staff of the (presently, Tokyo National Museum).[1] From 1952-1953, he served as, and from 1953 to 1965, as 9th of the same institute. After resigning as Director General, from 1965 to 1977 he was of the prominent art historical journal .[2] From 1977 until his death in 1983, he served as Editorial Advisor for the same journal.
Tanaka was also an assiduous public servant and active researcher. In 1926, he served on the . In 1935, he participated in an investigate inquiry into the preservation of . In 1936, he served as an . Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1978.