Nakajima Kiyoyuki was educated in the nihonga tradition by Matsumoto Fuko (1840-1923) and Yasuda Yukihiko (1884-1978). In 1924 he submitted a painting entitled "Peach Tree" to the 11th Inten which won an exhibition award. In 1952 he became a lecturer at the Tokyo University of Arts, and in 1968 his work won the Prime Minister Award.