Category: Report

Taito Ward Asakusa Public Hall

Since the opening in August 2018, "Edomachi-Taito Entertainment Festival" which has delivered a variety of entertainment and traditional culture, including traditional arts from the Edo period through various events. A closing event was held on Saturday, February 16, 2019.

The theme of the closing event – From Edo to Tokyo "The lively crowd of Edo living now" ~ . It was divided into the first part and the second part, and Taito Ward boasts a wide variety of performing arts that got together and was performed together. This time, I wrote about the first part so we will tell about it.

The bustle of Asakusa 6-ku

Before the opening of the first part, there was an announcement of the performers of the closing event at "Asakusa 6-ku" known as a sacred place for entertainment.

What appeared before the Asakusa entertainment hall was the 5th district of the Edo Fire Brigade Memorial Association, a general association formed to convey the tradition of "fire fighting" that was born as a fire brigade in the Edo period to future generations. Demonstrated powerful Edo's woodworking and clasping .

The next thing that appeared was a glittering Oiran (japanese old style courtesan). It is Mr. Kotaro Ryu who acts as a mass actor. From the Asakusa 6-ku street to the closing event venue · Asakusa public hall the procession of Oiran was entertained by many passers-by.

Closing event Part 1

Star's hand type honorific ceremony
Taito Ward, popular entertainment mecca, gave hands and signs from 1979 (Showa 54) as a "star" in front of the Asakusa public hall in order to honor the accomplishments of entertainers who contributed to the promotion of popular performing arts, It is set up in the "Plaza". This year, a honorary ceremony was held for six people with hand shapes installed.

Former Takarazuka boys top star and actress Amami Yuki "I am from Taito Ward, but it is a feeling of lack of ability to put a hand on this place that I have been familiar with since my childhood, my mother is also very pleased I was able to do filial piety.I would like to continue to do my best to make Taito Ward lively. "

Singer / Mr. Otsuki Miyako "I came to the singer for the first time in 55 years, but now I am happiest the most.We would like to select the hand of the star this time and I hope that you will have a wonderful Japanese popular song from tomorrow I think that you got a fight when delivering it, thanks to everyone who listens to the song. Thank you very much. "

Kabuki actor Nakamura Kankuro "I am very pleased to be able to enter among the great seniors who have left the hands of the star up to now. Among those seniors are two grandparents, my father and my aunt as well This Asakusa public hall is a New Year Asakusa Kabuki which is said to be a gateway for young Kabuki actors.I also appeared in this place for many years from the age of 18. From now on I would like to be a good actor to love and love people in Asakusa. "

Kankuro's younger brother Nakamura Shichinosuke "I have been indebted to this Asakusa public hall since I was 16. Although there are so many customers today, only about five customers in my first performance There was no one, I will beat up from the ground in this place, I am very pleased that you have chosen to be a star's hand like this. "

Although Azuma Takahiro of the talent was also elected, attendance to the festival ceremony did not come true, Tomohiro Higashi Tomohiro as a younger brother attended on behalf of Mr. Takahiro Mr. Tomohiro was read aloud. "My father, Azuma hachiro also leaves hand shapes 38 years ago from now, there is a memory that I felt even more greatly to my father who I respected as a junior high school student at that time, my father is 49 years old At the time I left his hands, I am also 49 years old, I was able to leave my hands in the same year, I will continue to devote myself to ashamed of this honor from now on. "

Unfortunately, Takagawa Yumi, an actress, was absent from the awards ceremony, and the managing director of the office that he belonged to was read by his comments. "We have selected it as a hand type at the end of Heisei and it is full of appreciation.The entertainment life has also entered in the 46th year, so we will continue to devote ourselves with new feelings encouraging you to choose this time."

Kabuki dance "Tongue-picking Sanjo"
Nakamura Kankuro is succeeding Nakamura Kanzaburo who is the founder of Edo Kabuki, Nakamura Kankuro performed Sanjo, and Shichinosuke was playing a thousand years. The venue was crowded with a comical movement of Sanjo.

Edo TaiKagura music
The origins of tTaikagura are the &quot Sangaku " transmitted to the shrine in the Heian era. It was developed as an acrobatics in the Edo period and gained popularity. Okinaya Wasuke and Okinaya Kohana will show off his umbrella, etc., and the crowd gets a lot of fun with skillful technique.

Rcitation “Thirteen nights”
A Story tellar Kumazawa Nansui that appeared on a dark stage. Moistly and sometimes intensely, She talked about Higuchi Ichiyo's "Thirteen nights ". Higuchi Ichiyo is a writer who is familiar with this place, such as writing masterpiece "Takekurabe　" set in Ryusen, Taito-ku.

Historical narrative "Shinmon Tatsugoro "
From Edo to the Meiji / Taisho era, Historical narrative which was a representative of people's entertainment. Kanda Kurenai told the lifetime of Shinmon Tatsugoro who was active as a firefight in Edo in Edo. It was the first time she ever tells this story. The audience was fascinated by the delightful enthusiasm that was full of presence, and it was drawn into the world of the Historical narrative.

Kappore dance
"Kappore" is a dance spreading all over the country by the petitioner afterwards, based on "Sumiyoshi dance" dedicated to Sumiyoshi Shrine in Osaka in hopes of rich a good harvest and becoming called by this name in the Edo period. Sakura gawa iri hune shachu venue was excited with the dance that matched the "Kappore" calling by the company .

"Edomachi-Taito Entertainment Festival", which has grown up in Taito-ku with performing arts and traditional culture for about half a year, has closed the curtain here. Even in the closing event, we offered a wide variety of performances not caught in the genre to the audience, and it was a great success as a "festival where you can enjoy the power of the shoulder" that anyone can participate.

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Ichiyo Memorial Museum at Taito Ward

Ichiyo Memorial Museum at Taito Ward is located in a place where female writers, Ichiyo Higuchi in the Meiji era once opened roughs and sweets shops.

Ichiyo is said to have obtained the idea of masterpiece "Takekurabe" in about 10 months spent in this place.

Ichiyo moved to Shimotani Ryusenji Town 125 years ago.

In commemoration of this, at the Ichiyo Memorial Museum, during the period from Saturday, November 10, 2018 to January 27 (Sunday) 2019, the Moved to Shimotani Ryusenji Town 125 year anniversary special exhibition "Shimotani Ryusenji Town Higuchi Ichiyo " is held.

The exhibition room is divided into two, the first exhibition room introduces the life of Ichiyo before coming to Shimotani Ryusenji Town, and the life in this place.

Shimotani Ryusenji Town

Ichiyo who lost his father at the age of 17 was responsible for the lives of her mother and sister as the main pillar of the family.

Although she was publishing a novel and getting drafts, her life was so hard to go on and moved to Shimotani Ryusenji Town to start a new business.

The fact that the borrowing letters and letters of exhibits were telling us that Ichiyo’s life at that time was strict. Also, as there are few pictures of the Shimotani Ryusenji Town at that time, you can see this area’s situation in paintings.

Children live in a neighbourhood and people who work in the Yoshiwara area came to the Ichiyo’s shop. Ichiyo observed people through such exchanges and later, The theme of her novel;Scoop up the little voices of people who live in one corner of societywas formed.

Ichiyo’s masterpiece “Takekurabe” is a boy and girl’s pale love of the downtown, which is set in the vicinity of Shimotani Ryusenji Town, and Sensoku Inari Shrine and Ootori Shrine appeared in the work.

Between the reality and the ambition

Ichiyo became good friends with a woman named Nonomiya Hisako when she lived in Shimotani Ryusenji Town. Autographed letters addressed to Ms. Nonomiya from Ichiyo are on display.

Before she came to this place, she learned Japanese poetry and classical literature at a school named "Hagi no sha", where she also learned the essence of the litgraghy.

A replica of the desk which Ichiyo used until died is also exhibited. It is a gorgeous one with ivory settled, it seems to have been bought from her father.

She spend wealthy life in her childhood. The real thing of the desk is kept in the Modern Japanese Literature Museum in Meguro-ku.

In the 2nd exhibition room, from 7 factors we could understand how Ichiyo’s life in Shimotani Ryuzenji Town affected "Takekurabe".

At first, Ichiyo wanted to be a japanese poetly’s teacher, not to be a novelist.

A lot of young ladies of the famous family passed through "Hagi no sha" where Ichiyo learned japanese poetly. Among them, it is thought that there was also a hard time for Ichiyo who had no title. One time she wore a cloth full of paches and visited "Hagi no sha".

A replica of the kimono is on exhibition. Ichiyo’sister, Kuni and this kimono with great difficulty so that it would not be able to see the patch if she wore a coat on it.

After living for about 10 months at Shimotani Ryusenji Town, Ichiba moved to to Hongou maruyama fukuyama Town.

And there, during 14 months untill she died, she wrote many works including "Takekurabe". This period is called "14 months of miracle".

Ichiyo came to Shimotani Ryusenji Town for business, but she gained inspiration that would be a source of later writing life from interaction with people she met here.

It would be clear how the life in here stimulated the creativity of Ichiyo by this special exhibition.

In the permanent exhibition, works after Ichiyo passed away were mainly introduced.

While Ichiyo alive, her works were published in a magazine, and no books such as novels were not sold.

This is the last book of Ichiyo and the only book published while she alive "Encyclopedia of Daily Usage 12th Edition Common Letters". An example sentence of a letter by Ichiyo.

Ichiyo’s younger sister Kuni was keen to preserve her work after the death of Ichiyo. Even she was evacuated with Ichoyo’s manuscripts under wartime.

It is largely owed to Kuni that we can now see Ichiyo’s manuscript etc in this way.

Kuni has contributed essays to the magazine "Women's World" as "a side of my older sister who did not have a wage."

It is very valuable material today to convey the figure of real Ichiyo seen from the close relatives.

"Nigorie" of the original one which was put into a stage by Mr. Yukio Ninagawa in 1984. A stage model handed down by Setsu Asakura herself who was in charge of the stage arts is displayed.

In the special exhibition, life in Shimotani Ryusenji Town, the foundation of creation of Ichiyo "Takekurabe", has been comprehensively introduced, so I thought that after viewing I could understand the work even more.

Shimotani Ryusenji Town The 125th anniversary commemorative special exhibition "Shimotani Ryusenji Town (town of the stature) Higuchi Ichiyo" is held until January 27, 2019. When you come to the memorial hall, why not try walking around and thinking about the world of "Takekurabe"?

Outline of the exhibition

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This building is standing side by side with the Tokyo National Museum, across from Ueno Park.

It used to be the Keisei Electric Railway Former Hakubutsukan-Dōbutsuen Station which has been used as the nearest station of the Tokyo Imperial Museum (now the Tokyo National Museum) and the Imperial Ueno Zoo.

Along with the decrease in users, it had been suspended business in 1997. In April 2018, as a building with a historically important landscape value, it was the first railway facility which is selected as Tokyo Metropolitan Selected History Building.

Renovation work was carried out on this machine, furthermore, Tokyo National University of the Arts, Department of Art Department manager, UENOYES * A comprehensive producer, Mr. Katsuhiko Hibino, designed the door.

* Art project with the theme of social inclusion. With the aim of new social participation of people from the beginning of culture, regardless of disability, with various people from races and countries, from children to adults, develop various programs throughout the year, from Ueno We are disseminating it to the world.

On November 23, 2018, a part of Keisei Electric Railway old museum zoo station building will be opened to the public. At the same time, within the station building, a limited-time installation work Wandering into the Rabbit Hole will be displayed as a Historical Cultural Resource Utilization Program that is part of the UENOYES project.

I participated in a press tour that was held prior to that, so I will tell you the situation.

Let’s open the new door and go inside.

When you open the door, there is a huge rabbit!

Because the ticket gate of the old museum zoo station is in the basement, this work have a motif of a rabbit who has habits of digging soil and creating a nest.

The story that Ms.Shiratama Hitsujiya written down on Ueno's research was written by Ms. Akiko Sakata of art and was supported by the technical scientist of Mr. Kento Mori, a scientific museum · support researcher at the National Science Museum · Animal Research Division Exhibition.

Both Ms.Hitsujiya and Ms.Sakata say that this station building is a "space inspired by artists".

Mr. Mori says that he usually creates skeletal specimens by 3D scan and printer and has thought that it would be great if he chould show his works to the public. When Ms.Hitsujiya talkes about this project, he accepted immediately. It was in 1997 that the old museum zoo station stopped operating, but due to the idea of ​​Mr. Mori, the genuine exhibition of the skull of Huang Huan of the giant panda who died the same year came true.

In this way the installation work “Wandering into the Rabbit Hole” . There is a unique world view that draws in what you see from the moment you open the door.

You can actually touch the entrance rabbit or book, the skull replica, and you can do graffiti on the glass.

Even those who have never used the old museum zoo station, you will be able to enjoy the work with a thought on the history of the station building.

Since it will be a limited-time exhibition until February 24, 2019, how about going to the old museum zoo station on this occasion?

Publication and exhibition of Former Hakubutsukan-Dōbutsuen Station “Wandering into the Rabbit Hole” Summary

Related events will also be held. Please check the official website for details.
 
This article provided by kokosil Ueno

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Taito Ward Sogakudo of the Former Tokyo Music School

Taito Ward Sogakudo of the Former Tokyo Music School is placed in a corner of Ueno Park.

This is the oldest western style music hall in Japan,built as a facility of the Tokyo Music School (present · Tokyo College of Music Faculty) in Meiji 23. Later Taito Ward was handed over from Tokyo National University of the Arts, transferred to and restored to the present place in 1986, and designated important cultural property the following year.

Due to the advancement of aging, it was closed from April, 2013, in addition to earthquake resistant reinforcement and preservation repair of the building, repair of the pipe organ in front of the stage was carried out.

On November 2, after closing for about five and a half years, the old renovation house was renewed.

I will tell you the state of the commemorative ceremony held along with it.

Inauguration ceremony held in wonderful autumnal weather. Prior to opening, there were performances by the students of Tokyo University of the Arts's Music Faculty.

Many guests were present. Mr. Hattori, pesident of taito ward gave his speech.

Kazuki Sawa ; Director of Tokyo University of Arts also gave his speech.

Mr. Sawa who graduated from Tokyo National University of Arts, also is a witness to the history of the old Music Palace.

Mr. Sawa "When I was in college, there was a Music Palace in the campus, but as the aging progressed, when 300 people entered it was so heavy that the door on the first floor would not open due to the weight.The organ did not produce any sound. At the time of my 4th grader I took a graduation exam at this grand temple, but at the end the main hall was not used.

After that, we also talked about relocating to Meiji-mura, but there were lots of voices to leave in Ueno, which was relocated to Ueno Park here in 1987 by Taito Ward. I am also participating in the commemorative performances held at that time. It is an honor to be able to participate in the commemorative performances again this time. "

Following the tape cut by the guests, the old concerto was completed.

A mini concert of string ensemble centered on Mr. Sawa was held in the hall of the old old music entertainer just completed.

The pipe organ in front of the stage after the repair was also played by Mr. Rie Hiroe who is a professor of the University of Music and a professor of the same department of music at the same time after completing the graduate school organ of Tokyo University of the Arts. While being a relatively small organ, it features a powerful sound.

Mr. Seiji Okamoto who served as the first violin in the second song is a graduate of the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and is now brushing up his skills in Berlin.

At the end of the mini concert, he performed an encore playing "Flower" written by Rentaro Taki who also played the piano at the Old Music Palace. It is a song that is related to Taito-ku.

The state of "flower" performance can be seen with the following movie.

After the mini concert we were able to visit the hall.

Old Music palace which renewed for the first time in five and a half years. You can enjoy not only historical buildings but also live cultural assets such as concerts and music materials.

Since the building has been open since November 2, how about visiting Ueno?

Facility information

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The National Museum of Western Art

Rubens and the Birth of the Baroque will be held at the National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo from October 16 (Tue) 2018 to January 20 (Sun) of 2019. Since the media exhibition was held on 15th October, I will tell you the situation.

Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), a painter representing 17th century baroque art.
Dramatic composition with a lot of movement, brilliant color, abundant and fascinating nudity expression. Rubens, who was sent with the highest compliment of "King of Painters as King's Painter" by those who were fascinated by the style, was able to bring its name to other countries.

Although Rubens set up the workshop in Antwerpenand,Belgium,and made the base of its activities as the base of its activities, but it is not well known in Japan that he spent in Italy for 8 years immediately after being independent as a painter. Rubens absorbed various expressions in Venice and Mantova, especially in Rome, and established a style of painting, and developed it after returning home.

This exhibition focuses on the relationship between Rubens and Italy and attempts to unravel the secret of its creation. We exhibited a total of 71 works by Rubens and ancient art, Italian artists, and we will explore how Rubens got inspiration and gave it from Italian works.

Chapter 1 The World of Rubens

This exhibition consists of seven parts. Works are displayed by theme, not time series, and Rubens and Italy, we will explore the source of that idea from bidirectional exchanges. In this chapter which will be the introduction, his representative portrait works are exhibited, you can see the features of the technique greedily absorbing the Italian style and the love affection to the family.

This is a work "Portrait of Clara Serena Rubens" . It depicts the eldest daughter Clara Serena born with the first wife Isabella Brant. Although the background and the collar part are roughly caught, the expression is drawn very carefully and the composition taking the face of the model directly in front is also impressive.
Clara was about 5 years old at this time, but then died at the young age of 12 years old. Rubens loved Clara and seems to have portrayed her portraits many times even after she died.

Chapter 2 Past traditions

In the second chapter, entitled "Past tradition", we introduce Rubens' works, as well as replications of Venetians by ancient sculptures and Rubens.

"Death of Seneca" is a work depicting the end of Seneca, a philosopher who was ordered to commit suicide under suspicion of a conspiracy to the emperor Nero, as the subject said. Seneca in the picture is based on the famous ancient sculpture in the Louvre museum, and Rubens which saw this sculpture in Rome has left six drawings. It can be said to be a good example of the results of classical learning by Rubens.

Chapter 3 Saints as Heroes – Religious Painting and Baroque

During his stay in Italy, Rubens painted religious paintings in Mantua, Genoa and Rome. Rubens&#39. His religious painting, which showed an ideal body image like ancient sculpture, fascinated the young generation and showed the greatest innovation in Rome after Caravaggio.

In chapter 3, Rubens' religious paintings are displayed together with the works that influenced him and the works he influenced .

Rubens' masterpiece "Martyrdom of St. Andrew" first came to Japan. This work was donated to the chapel of the Royal Hospital of Santandres de los Flamencos in Madrid and it seems to be very valuable thing to appreciate rarely.

"Martyrdom of Saint Andere" depicts the martyrdom of Saint Andrew, described in the "Golden Legend" of Jacobos de Worragine. Saint Andrew, cruised by the Roman governor, taught to the crowd of 20 thousands who surround him. The crowd threatened to angrily thrust the governor down from the cross, but Andrew declined to descend from the cross as he lived, and ascended by casting pray as it was.

Saint Andrew looking up to the heavens above which one light shines, angels flying to Andrew from the dark sky, people crying something and appealing. It is extremely dramatic, and the depiction of realism with dynamic feeling approaches to my heart.

Chapter 4 The Power of Myths 1 – Hercules and Male Nude

Rubens who was fascinated by famous sculpture "Hercules of Farnese" and learned its shaping deeply. His imagination was demonstrated most vividly, especially when drawing a mythical world. In this chapter, a lot of male nude by Rubens and Italian painters after Rubens are exhibited.

Chapter 5 The Power of Myths 2 Venus and Female Nude

On the other hand, this chapter features a nude that depicts the ideal woman beauty symbolized by Venus. When drawing Venus it was also Rubens who took the form of ancient sculpture, but in the later years it began to draw a plump woman that symbolizes more realistic and fertile.

Chapter 6 Pencil Frenzy

Brilliant colors and quick brush usage that gives it to the screen. The 17th century artist theorist Bellori explained Rubens' paintings with the word "painter's enthusiasm" . In Chapter 6, we take up paintings such as battle scenes in which the character of such Rubens art was expressed in the most obvious way, and focus on its characteristics.

"The Fall of Phaeton" painted around 1605 during my stay in Italy. The sun of Apollo, the sun god, a painting capturing the moment when Paeton’s tanks receive lightning from the supreme god Jupiter and Paeton is about to fall. The cloaking cloak, the mane of the standing horse, the lightning running in the sky enhance the violent dynamism of the whole screen.

Chapter 7 Allegorical and Allegorical Tales

Rubens was a succeeded highly educated diplomat . Rubens took advantage of its cultural knowledge and knowledge and often painted allegorical figures that used a combination of symbols. In the final chapter, Rubens' mythological theme with alleged gimmicks is displayed along with ancient sculptures.

"Mars and Rare Sylwia" depicting scenes where Military God Mars looks at the shrine maiden Rae Sirwia who protects the fire of the West Temple. It is famous that twins born between Rare Sylwia and Mars grew and became Romulus and Romulus with Rome.

Rubens usually makes a bold change to the traditional interpretation, as the stage of this work is a temple, whereas Rare Sylwia who went to draw water usually is fucked by Mars in the forest. At the same time, however, Rubens also shows that it is very precisely taken into account the ancient literature on this myth, such as Cupid and Mars' weapons and feet clouds that cloak the cloak's hem.

"I think that Rubens' work is reflected very well in his work, generous, loving and great, I feel that his figure is also bleeding out of paintings A biographer described him as "Maestoso Umano (dignified person) and at the same time it is full of humanity", but in fact Rubens expressed a very deep affection for family members and friends He was a pouring person. "

That is what I talked about, as an art historian and Mr. Anna bio Bianco, supervisor of this exhibition.

"In addition, when Rubens was asked" What are you from? ", He said that" I am a world citizen. "Well these words have come to be used now, but in the 17th century Rubens thought so that at the point of time.Though it was the owner of the idea he advanced and I understood the wonderfulness of fraternity, it can be understood from this remark.In this exhibition, I hope to focus on human nature and enjoy it. "

Called "King of painters", I will unravel the painting and humanity of the master who built one era in relation to Italy.
"Rubens exhibition – the birth of baroque" is held until January 20, 2019 (Sunday).
Why do not you visit this opportunity?

Summary

Article Provided by: Kokosil Ueno

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The Ueno Royal Museum

Johannes Vermeer (1632-75), the Dutch painter who represents the Dutch Golden Age. There are scarcity style and rareness that the existing works are said to be only 35 points, boasting immovable popularity both in Japan and abroad.

Making the Difference : Vermeer and Dutch Art; which is held at the Ueno Royal Museum from October 5, 2018 (Friday) to February 3, 2019 (Sunday) is a project in which nine of his works come to Japan. this is the largest Vermeer exhibition in the history of japanese art exhibition (during terms some works would be replaced).

Since I participated in the press exhibition , I will tell you how that was.

Audio guide and booklet

In this exhibition, audio guides are provided for free of charge to all visitors.

In addition, this booklet is also provided for free, commentary on all 49 exhibited works of this exhibition is included.

These items help us understanding the backgrounds of the paintings.

A masterpiece of the 17th century Dutch painting

This exhibition consists of six chapters, and chapters 1 to 5 are exhibited with works of the 17th century’s Dutch painters.

From quiet religious paintings to the paintings capturing the daily lives of the people of the Dutch city at that time, works of a wide range of genres are exhibited. Although each theme is different, each work closely depicts the target object.

The building in the painting does not exist in real, but when standing in front of this painting, I feel like to be drawn into the building.

On the left of the picture is Old Woman Reading. In this painting, we colud see the writings on the pages which the old lady reading.

These two works are paired. A woman is reading a letter written by a man .

Although it seems like happy lovers in the first sight, knowing the meanings put in the gestures and underlying paintings of the works, the relationship between the two people emerges. Please listen and read voice guide and brochure.

It is also known that this work is fully influenced by Vermeer. You can find many things in common with Vermeer’s works such as the room that is the backgrounds of these works and the yellow jacket of a woman.

Vermeer room

Chapter 6 is developed in Vermeer room; where only Vermeer’s works are exhibited.

It is a luxurious space where you can view works of Vermeer, which are usually held in main museums of Europe and the United States.

Among them, the remarkable work is The Milkmaid ; which is known as one of the representative works of Vermeer. In this exhibition it is possible to appreciate at a very close distance.

Although we tends to pay attention to the person who stands in the center, when look at the details, it shows the particles of light by stipple drawing, draws dirt and stains on the wall one by one, Vermeer observes the target in a fine detail then put it on the canvas.

The Wine Glass is first public in Japan.

Women’s images on the walls and stained glass suggest the man’s temptation for the lady, and urge women to pay attention.

Like this, in the Dutch painting of this era, there seems to be a lot of things in the picture showing moral meaning and admonition.

Attention to limited-time exhibition

Among the work of Vermeer, Girl with the Red Hat is displayed from October 5th to December 20th, 2018, The Procuress will be displayed from January 9th to February 3, 2019. Please check the work you wanted see beforehand and be careful not to miss it.

I can feel the bright light in the dark room in this work. Although this work is much smaller in size than other works, red and vermeer blue take our attentiion. First public in Japan.

The Procuress is one of the earliest works of Vermeer and is the first　genre painting he drawn. First public in Japan.

Check out! Souvenirs

A German-born toy · Playmobil reproduces The Milkmaid!

In the museum shop, there are many other items unique to this exhibition, so please check every corner.

Although a large number of visitors are expected to visit, this exhibition introduces a specified date admission system to relieve waiting time. Please have a look at the largest Vermeer exhibition in the history of the Japanese art exhibition.

Outline of the exhibition

Article provision: Kokosil Ueno https://home.ueno.kokosil.net/en/

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Tokyo National Museum

From Tuesday, October 2, 2018 to Sunday, December 9, 2018, the Tokyo National Museum holds a The Buddhist Sculptures of Daiho’onji, Kyoto: Masterpieces by Kaikei and Jokei . Since the exhibition was held on October 1st, I will tell you the situation.

During the Kamakura period, the ancient temple of Shingon Buddhist school called Daiho’onji,, which was requested by Giku Shonin in 1220. As there is Senbon Street crossing Kyoto to the north and south, it is familiar to the name of "Senbon Shakado" and has gathered a wide range of faiths from aristocrats to common people as the center of Buddha faith.
It is designated as a national treasure and its main hall, which has escaped numerous warfare including Onin’s turbulence, and also known as having a married couple and hypocrites such as husband and wife as birthplace of "Okame".

The principal image is the Seated Shaka Nyorai (Sakyamuni Buddha) created by the Gyokai that is one of the pupil of Kaikei. And, it is the ten great disciple statues, which is the work of the last years of Kaikei , who stands in that Buddha's Buddha Seated. In this exhibition, a lot of masterpieces of 'Kei party' transmitted to Daiho’onji are gatherd.

Exhibition landscape

The exhibition is held at the Tokyo National Museum Heiseikan Special 3-4 rooms. A special exhibition "Marcel · Duchamp and Japanese art" (10/2 ~ 12/9) is held in the 1st and 2nd room of the same building, and the fact that two exhibitions are performed adjacently at the same time . Unlike Dushan's exhibition hall where contemporary art works line up, this place is filled with a serene atmosphere where Buddha statue releases, and its contrast is also interesting.

The Buddhist Sculptures of Daiho’onji, Kyoto: Masterpieces by Kaikei and Jokei is composed of three parts,in the first part; The History and Treasures of Daiho’onji —Daiho’onji Temple and Kitano Kyo’odo Hall , the main temple designated as a national treasure as the oldest wooden building in Kyoto (Kyoto city) and its history are introduced.

Kitano Kyo’odo Hall is a Buddhist temple built by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu near Daiho’onji, then was the largest monument in Kyoto City. In the wooden temple it was quite lively such as the Kitano Manbukyokai, led by successive generals Muromachi was done, but the cultural properties and sutra etc. which had been dismantled under the influence of the separation of God and Buddha, It was transferred.

In the first chapter, items of Kitano Kyo’odo Hall, including the Buddha statue of the Heian period, are displayed, and the appearance of the past day is notified as it is now.

Following Creation of a Sacred Place —The Flourishing of Belief in Sakyamuni Buddha , The principal image; Seated Shaka Nyorai (Sakyamuni Buddha); and Ten major disciples of Buddha, which are now set separately in the temple, are displayed in the same space. It is the first time that Seated Shaka Nyorai (Sakyamuni Buddha) and ten great disciple statues, which are open to the public several times a year, are released outside the temple.

In the first half of the thirteenth century when Daiho’onji was built, the revelations of "the last law" (era when enlightenment ceased) were felt strongly due to repeated war. Giku Shonin tried to create a place to save people living the world of the last law by building a Buddha who always lives in this world and tells people how to preach.

The center of the third chapter Roku Kannon Bosatsu (Six manifestations of Avalokitesvara) and Higo Jokei
is the Roku Kannon Bosatsu (Six manifestations of Avalokitesvara); made by Higo Jokei. The appearance of six-sounding lined with dark, burning crimson backgrounds is a spectacular one. Roku Kannon is a Buddha who rescues people from the Roku-do(six way) such as hell roads and hungry roads.

The vivid real existence that this statue has makes us feel the desperate idea and wish that people requested from Buddha in the world of the last law.

Exhibition work introduction

Daiho’onji is in the center of Kyoto but escaped from the war. To that end, many cultural properties that were contained in the surrounding old temples were gathered in Daiho’onji. Among them, this is a masterpiece of the Heian period "Senju Kannon Bodhisattva Statue". Representation of clothing called transverse wave clothing under the knee was prevalent in the early Heian period, which also shows that this work is before the establishment of Daiho’onji.

Seated Shaka Nyorai (Sakyamuni Buddha) is the secret Buddha of the Daiho’onji. The image height is 89.3 centimeters (about 3 scale), below the back seen the signature “Hogan Gyokai”, and I know that this work was made when the Gyokai was in the priesthood named “Hogan”.

The appearance likeness appears in the cheek flushing sideways, the eyed tail rising crisply, etc. In its powerful expression, I feel that I started exploring my style after the death of his master, Kaiun.

In the Roku Kannon Bosatsu, there are relatively few examples Jundei Kannon. It is a statue of a woman embodying the heart of mercy. It was revealed that the signature of “Higo Bettou Jyokei” was found in the statue, and it is a masterpiece of Jyokei, a skillful a sculptor of Buddhist images of the next generation. In addition, Roku Kannon Bosatsu are made of Kaya (one kinds of the conifer), this is because he is conscious of the “Danzo”; originally made of sandalwood.

I am amazed by the expression of very detailed details, such as the soft texture of the tied hair and the depiction of the clothes that scratch the air. Please come to the venue and enjoy the sculpture!

It is also a big feature that the backlight and the pedestal are left as they are at the beginning of the image. Especially light hunting (one that embodies the light emitted by Buddha) is fragile because it is brittle, and it is very rare that things at the beginning of the image are completely left.

Also, Roku Kannon Bosatsu are displayed with a backlight till until October 28 (Sunday), from October 30 (Tue) of the late period, the backlight would be removed, and you can appreciate its appearance as close as possible. It is an opportunity to enjoy the charm of Kannon from an angle different from usual, such as gently curved back and patterns of garment of elegant back.

Outline of the exhibition

Article provision: Kokosil Ueno https://home.ueno.kokosil.net/en/

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