Born in Edo (modern-day Tokyo), Shibata Zeshin trained under the painter Suzuki Nanrei and the lacquer artist Koma Kansai II. He developed a distinct style that integrated the meticulous traditions of Japanese lacquerwork with the expressive techniques of ink painting, establishing his reputation during a period of significant cultural transition in Japan.

Zeshin is celebrated for his mastery of urushi-e (lacquer painting), a medium in which he applied colored lacquer to paper or silk to create durable, textured compositions. His work often features motifs drawn from nature and Japanese folklore, rendered with a sophisticated understanding of light and shadow that distinguished his output from his contemporaries.

While his reception within Japan has historically been complex due to the shifting artistic values of the Meiji era, Zeshin has gained significant international recognition. His works are held in major museum collections across the United States and Europe, where he is studied for his technical precision and his role in the history of Japanese decorative arts.