Wada Sanzo studied Western style painting at Tokyo School of Fine Arts from which he graduated in 1904. Studied in Europe from 1907 to 1915; traveled to India and Burma. Friendly withb the Sosaku Hanga artist Yamamoto Kane while in France. Exhibited paintings at Benten and with Hakubakai; judge of Benten and Teiten. Appointed member of Imperial Fine Art Academy in 1927. Taught at Tokyo School of Fine Arts from 1932. Best known for a series of prints on Occupations of Showa Period, started in 1938 but interrupted by war shortaghes in 1943 after completion of 48 designs; made 24 more designs on the subject after the war, 1954-58. His works were either self-published or by Kyoto Hanga-in.