Maeda was born in 1926 in Toyama Prefecture and graduated in 1953 from Musashino Art University. In 1957, he won the Grand Prix of the 1st International Young Artists Exhibition. Afterwards, Maeda went from abstract art to themes centering on Buddhist mandalas. During 1958, Maeda received a scholarship to spent time to study in France. In 1979, he was appointed a professor at Kyoto City University of Arts. In the same year, he received the Grand Prix of the 11th Japan Art Prize.

Since 1983, Maeda was served as a professor at his alma mater Musashino Art University. Maeda received a variety of other awards and prizes over the following years, most notably the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Third Class, in 2000, and he was elected the president of Musashino Art University. He passed away in 2007.