皇室の名宝ー日本美の華
01/10/2009~03/11/2009
Tokyo National Museum
At the end of last year, K and I went to an exhibition of the collections by the imperial family of Japan, an event that commemorated the emperor's 20th anniversary of coronation. The showpieces all belong to the Museum of the Imperial Collections (三の丸尚藏館) in the imperial palace.
The event was very well-advertised and much anticipated by the public.
The day of our visit was, as expected, another busy one in the museum. It was not easy to appreciate beautiful details of paintings when viewers jostled against each other. However, I did manage to see things that I had never seen, imagination that I had never encountered, colors that I had never thought of, and the nostalgic taste of the past that I have always enjoyed.
One of the biggest stars in the exhibition was the Chinese Lions by Kano Eitoku (狩野永徳)
source of picture
The weighty presence of the painted screen itself was amazing enough. I have always thought that traditional Japanese paintings seem to have already started to cultivate a manga culture which is in its full bloom now. Circular shape and curvy lines render the 2 lions playful big cats rather than fearful kings of the forest.
Another highlight of the show was the collection of the 30 paintings of living creatures by Ito Jakuchuu's (伊藤若沖).
The 30 items are presented in an array of vibrant colors, which give flesh and bones to the painter's amazing observation on the world of animals. Ito's work has found great popularity both inside and outside Japan. Although he has been more or less considered to be an artist appealing to a popular taste, the confidence and eaze behind the strokes is very compelling. His works are also tainted with a comical sense, a style which I tend to associate with the art trend in a much later date.
The weighty presence of the painted screen itself was amazing enough. I have always thought that traditional Japanese paintings seem to have already started to cultivate a manga culture which is in its full bloom now. Circular shape and curvy lines render the 2 lions playful big cats rather than fearful kings of the forest.
Another highlight of the show was the collection of the 30 paintings of living creatures by Ito Jakuchuu's (伊藤若沖).
The 30 items are presented in an array of vibrant colors, which give flesh and bones to the painter's amazing observation on the world of animals. Ito's work has found great popularity both inside and outside Japan. Although he has been more or less considered to be an artist appealing to a popular taste, the confidence and eaze behind the strokes is very compelling. His works are also tainted with a comical sense, a style which I tend to associate with the art trend in a much later date.
In the centre, the mother octopus is swimming to the right against a school of fish aiming toward the left. On the far end of one of her legs, a baby octopus clings tight to her. I was very amazed at the detail indeed, over-joyed with such an unexpected thought! The addition of the baby cleverly balances the organization of the painting in which the weight of attention concentrates on the space on the right side. Although the baby is on the far left, its small presence redirects the attention to itself. The mom's long leg connects both sides, serving to lead the gaze of its viewers. A clever and comical touch that Jakuchuu added to the work!
I was also very fond of Sakai Houichi's (酒井抱一) paintings of the twelve months,
I was also very fond of Sakai Houichi's (酒井抱一) paintings of the twelve months,
If Jakuchuu's style is imposing, the quietude and harmony in the 12 months calm the excitement in the viewers who came out of Jakuchuu's showroom.
Another highlight, I reckon, was the "Watermelon" by Katsushika Hokusai (葛飾北斎）.
At first sight, there were a strange feeling of ill-proportion and a awkardness of suspension (the knife). The color and style seem to be too modern to be traditional. However, the immediate thought of a splashy watermelon and the cooling air that the smell of the fruit could produce are all beautifully felt in the piece of white damp cloth, which is damp with the juice of the watermelon.
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