Ichiro Tsuruta was born in Hondo-shi (current Amakusa-shi), Kumamoto.
He grew up surrounded by rich nature of Amakusa area.
He has liked to paint since his childhood.
After graduating from high school, he entered Tama Art University, majored in graphic design and tried to become an illustrator.
In early days when he started professional painting, as he painted realistic pictures influenced by Western culture, he began to be conscious that "he is Japanese" and gradually devoted himself to Japanese unique sense of beauty such as the Rimpa or Maitreya of Buddhism art and "Bijine (beautiful woman portraits)" or "Onnae (romantic painting)" of Ukiyoe prints.