Yokoyama Taikan — A Master of Modern Nihonga

July 2 - Aug 8

Yokoyama Taikan (1868-1958) was born in Mito in present-day Ibaraki Prefecture. He entered the Tokyo School of Fine Arts’ first class when it opened in 1889 and participated in the establishment of the Japan Art Institute (Nihon Bijutsu-in) that Okakura Tenshin founded in 1898. Under the tutorage of Tenshin, Taikan pursued the creation of new Nihonga (Japanese-style painting), utilizing traditional Japanese art based on Kano school, as well as Western art, but the Institute’s activities were halted due to financial difficulties. Taikan, who was active at the Bunten (Ministry of Education Exhibition) which was founded in 1907, reorganized the Institute in 1914 to mark the first anniversary of Tenshin’s death. After that Taikan played a significant role as a leader of the art world in Japan. He was conferred the first Cultural Medal in 1937. The exhibition shows his masterpieces, Cherry Blossoms at Night and Autumn Glory together for the first time in the Kansai area and it also presents 60 outstanding paintings including new discoveries. The exhibition tries to verify his great achievement by following the footsteps of Taikan who built his unique, dynamic style on Oriental idealism.

The National Museum of Modern Art Kyoto
Nearest Stn: Keihan Shichijo Stn., Okazaki Park
Open: 9:30am – 4pm, closed Mondays
Admission: ¥1000/¥600/¥400
Tel: 075-761-4111

Early Imari — The Origins of Underglaze Cobalt-blue and Overglaze Polychrome Enamels

Thru July 12

The earliest Underglaze Cobalt-blue came from the Hizen region (part of present Saga Prefecture and Nagasaki Prefecture) and originated in the early Edo period (early 17th century). Although this porcelain was heavily influenced by Chinese porcelain from the Keitokuchin Kiln, the Overglaze Polychrome Enamels with applied stain was called Kakiemon Style after its inventor Sakaida Kakiemon and appeared in the mid-17th century.
Because Hizen wares were distributed through the port at Imari, the porcelain also became known as Imari China among other similar names. This fine porcelain was distributed throughout Asia and to Europe through the Dutch East India Company from the mid 17th century. It has also been recently recognized that Imari ware came to fill many domestic demands throughout Japan as well. For nearly 400 years, these wares circulated throughout the Sea of Japan area and have been found in Echigo and Sado (present Niigata Prefecture), and Dewa (present Akita Prefecture and Yamagata Prefecture). It has also recently been recognized that Kokutani wares previously thought to have been fired in Ishikawa were actually produced at the Hizen kilns.
The items in this exhibition, which continue to be popular today, are fine examples of this stained and painted porcelain representing technologies from the earliest days to the most recent products of Hizen pottery. This exhibit features 280 different items including 221 historic examples of these wares and one important cultural property.

Osaka Museum of History
Nearest Stn: Tanimachi 4-chome stn, Exit #9, Tanimachi-line/Chuo-line
Open: 9:30am – 4:30pm, closed Tuesdays
Tel: 06-6946-5728

Brillance de la Belle Epoque

Thru July 19

It is said that the Petit Palais is the cream of the 1900 Paris Expo. Our exhibition is intented to reveal the mood and the arts in those days through various works from
the Petit Palais collection which includes paintings by Cézanne, Renoir, Morisot, Moreau and Maillol, the sculpture by Rodin, and prints by Redon along with art crafts by Galle, Daum, Fouquet and so on.
We do hope that visitors enjoy the luxurious and unrestrained atmosphere at that time reputed to be the "Belle Epoque" or good old days.

Suntory Museum
Nearest Stn: Osaka-ko station, Exit #1, Subway chuo, Technoport line
Open: 10:30am-7pm, closed Mon.
Admission: ¥1000/¥700/¥500
Tel: 06-6577-0001

Journey Through the Inland Sea:
Trades and Exchanges in Medieval Setonaikai

Jul 24 - Aug 22

Setonaikai Inland Sea has played the role of a gateway that connects the mainland with Kyushu. This special exhibition features ancient artifacts, old documents and pictures contributed by the three Prefectural Museums of Hyogo, Okayama and Hiroshima, which illustrate how products were distributed, how port towns thrived and how people interacted with each other in the Setonaikai in the Middle Ages. This is an introduction to the real faces of a region in close connection with the sea.

Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History
Nearest Stn: JR/Sanyo Himeji stn.
Open: 10am – 4pm, closed Monday
Admission: ¥200/¥150/¥100
Tel: 0792-88-9011

Kansai Art Listings

ART section compiled by Maki Nibayashi