Month: January 2020

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

(Until Thursday, March 26, 2020) At the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno, “Vilhelm Hammershøi and Danish Painting” is being held.
Prior to the event, there was a news preview the other day, so I will report on the situation.

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Happiness Country / Denmark

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy in Northern Europe with a population of about 5.81 million.
The country name is derived from Dummelk, which means Old Norse (= Dane land), and is well known as a renewable energy advanced country and a high welfare state.
In recent years, their lifestyle has also attracted a great deal of attention, including being ranked number one in the United Nations’ World Happiness Rankings.
In relation to Japan, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2017.
The exhibition introduces some of the works of Denmark’s Wilhelm Hamashuy (1864-1916) and the surrounding works of Nordic art.

“Northern Vermeer” Hammershøi

Vilhelm Hammershøi (1864-1916), one of the leading painters of Danish painting in the late 19th century.
Hamashui begins drawing lessons at the age of eight.
After studying painting at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, Denmark, at the age of 15, he made his debut in “Portrait of Sister Ana” (1885) at the age of 21.
In the early days, I liked landscape paintings and portraits in the early days, but since the 1890s I have been drawing a lot of indoor paintings.
Strangerse 30 in the old town of Copenhagen, who moved when he was 34 in 1898.
A series of quiet and calm works depicting the apartment have won high acclaim both in and outside Denmark.
The work attracted Diagilehu of ballet Ruth and Rilke, a German poet.
It was called “Northern Vermeer” and attracted attention.

Highlight

 

There are four highlights of the Hamashui and Danish painting exhibition.

① About 40 Hammershøi works will be gathered

Approximately 40 Hammershøi works, including the first in Japan, will be gathered at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.
More than 10 years after the 2008 exhibition, Hammershøi works, also called “Northern Vermeer”, will return to Japan.
Please enjoy one side of that unique talent.

② Japan’s first authentic Danish painting exhibition

The golden age of Danish painting, which opened in the early 19th century in Copenhagen, the center of Nordic art.
From pure and rustic works of that era to beautiful Skain works incorporating the impressionist-style depiction of light, and the works of painters who worked in the capitals of the end of the century, who paint characteristic interior paintings. to introduce.

③Experience the Danish culture “Hyge”

Hygge means “relaxing” and “comfortable atmosphere” and is a very important Danish value.
It is the highlight of the exhibition that you can touch the Danish values.
The work of Danish painters in the late 19th century draws on Hyge, the beautiful Nordic nature, the people who live there, and the families who spend their time in a calm space.
By touching the Hughes in the works, you will be reminded of what we really want to value in life.

Featured works!

 

Here are some of the highlights from each chapter.

Chapter 1  Daily Praise-The Golden Age of Danish Paintings Featured Works

 

『A girl with a fruit basket』

A work by Constantine Hansun, son of Hans Hanson, a portrait painter.
This work is also famous for being later owned by Hamashui, and it seems that it was displayed on Strangese 25, where he spent his later years.
Is the whole work emitting a strong light, despite its subdued colors, due to the strength of the girl’s gaze looking straight at it?

 

『Portrait of Fredereghe Laffenbaer (née Heylop)』

Wilhelm Maastran was born in Copenhagen and studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, depicting the wife of Michelle Lafenbär, a prominent Danish tax official.
Rafenbea’s wife, stretching her back and staring straight at me.
Its elegant appearance is a mixture of strength and tenderness.
St. Peter’s Basilica, which can be seen outside the window, also enhances this work.

 

Chapter 2  Skein School and Scandinavian Light Featured Works

 

『Fishers rowing boats 』

A work by Michel Anga, famous as a painter representing Skain schools.
Fishermen in life jackets pushing a boat with a rugged look and going to the sea.
What is going on?
A tense situation ahead of the fishermen and the people watching it.
The intensity of the waves is increasing steadily.
It is a work with a sense of tension that is nervous and throbbing until you see it.

 

『 Girls and children picking flowers in the field north of Skain 』

This is also the work of Michel Anga.
Unlike the work depicting the tense situation of fishermen,
The meadow has a gentle time that lasts forever.
The girls picking flowers and their mother watching them under the everlasting blue sky.
The blue, pink, yellow, and greenery of the flowers are covered by a large sky.

 

Chapter 3  Danish paintings at the end of the 19th century-Internationalization and the rise of indoor paintings

 

『Sunshine in Living Room, Painter’s Wife and Child』

A work by Viggo Pedasson, whose father is Wilhelm Pedasson, an Andersen fairy tale illustration artist.
A work depicting Vigo’s wife, Ilisabeto, easing her little daughter in the living room at home.
The gentle face of his wife who cares for her daughter and the face of her young daughter who loves moms are very dear.
It seems that even the expression of Vigo, drawing while smiling, is transmitted here.

 

『Flower peach tree､Arles』

A work by Crestian Moaié-Pidasun, who has been in France, the Netherlands and Belgium, and is also famous for his friendship with Van Gogh in Arles.
The composition is very similar to Van Gogh’s “To Memories of Mauffet” and is believed to have been painted a few meters from where Van Gogh drew.
I was drawn into the gorgeous colors of the peach blossoms.
When approaching a little, the gentle scent of peach blossoms seems to be faintly transmitted.

 

Chapter 4  Vilhelm Hammershøi-Featured Works in the Silence of the Capital

『Room-Sunshine Study, Strangese 30』

This is a work by Vilhelm Hammershøi depicting a room facing the courtyard of Strangese 30.
The light in the room coming through the elongated lattice window appears to drift steadily.
I imagine that if you open the window, the dazzling outside world is waiting.
The contrast between this bright outside world and the closed dark door is also exquisite.
Which is real and which is unreal?

 

『Bedroom』

A work depicting the bedroom of Vilhelm Hammershøi of Labex Ali.
Two curtains hanging on the room
The light coming in from here is very soft.
Due to the light, the woman’s profile looking out of the window seems to be smiling somewhere. What are you looking at?
A purple vase placed in the center of the window tightens the interior painting.

Conclusion

I have reported on the press preview of “Vilhelm Hammershøi and Danish Painting　Press Preview Report”.
After more than 10 years, Hamashui’s works and other Danish paintings have reunited in Japan.
By touching these Danish works and cultures at the exhibition, you will discover new perspectives and values.
This exhibition is a valuable opportunity to introduce the first Danish painting in Japan at once.
Why don’t you visit the “Vilhelm Hammershøi and Danish Painting” at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum?

Event summary

 

■ Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2020-Thursday, March 26, 2020

Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum Exhibition Room

■ Opening hours: 9: 30-17: 30 (entry until 30 minutes before closing)

■ Night opening: Friday, February 19 (Wed), March 18 (Wed) 9: 30-20: 00 (entry until 30 minutes before closing)

■ Closed: Monday, February 25 (Tue) * However, open on February 24 (Monday / Closed) and March 23 (Monday)

■ Viewing fee: (Same-day ticket) General 1,600 yen / University / vocational school student 1,300 yen / High school student 800 yen / Age 65 and over 1,000 yen (Group ticket) General 1,400 yen / University student / vocational school student 1,100 yen / High school student 600 yen / 65 years old and over 800 yen * Group discount applies to 20 or more people * Free for junior high school students and below * Free from March 20 (Friday) to 26 (Thursday) under 18 years old (born after April 2, 2001) * Free on February 19 (Wed.) and March 18 (Wed.) due to Silver Day. Therefore congestion is expected. * Free if you have a certificate of the physically handicapped, a notebook of love, a notebook for nursing, a book of health and welfare for the mentally handicapped, a book of health for A-bomb survivors (up to 1 person) * Please bring something you can prove

■ Special website: https://artexhibition.jp/denmark2020/outline-en/

■ Contact: TEL: 03-5777-8600 (Hello Dial)

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Tokyo National Museum

This year of the Olympic year, Reiwa 2 (2020), is also a memorable year of 1300 since the Nippon Shoki was compiled.
To commemorate this, the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, Heiseikan, will hold a special exhibition “Izumo and Yamato” from Wednesday, January 15 to the establishment of the Nihon Shoki 1300 .
(* First-half exhibition: January 15 (Wed)-February 9 (Sun) Second-half exhibition: February 11 (Tuesday / holiday)-March 8 (Sun))
Prior to the exhibition, there was a press preview the other day.

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What is the special exhibition “Izumo and Yamato”?

Japan’s oldest Masafumi and Nihonshoki, written from Kamiyo to Emperor Joshi 11 (697),
The chief of the Tonin (Toneri Shinnou, 676-735) is the main composer,
It is a history book consisting of 30 volumes played by Emperor Gensho Tenno in Yoro 4 years (720).
In the national myth at the beginning of the Nihon Shoki, Okuninushi, enshrined at Izumo Taisha Shrine,
The existence of the world “spirit” beyond human ability, the emperor in the land of Yamato is the existence of the visible real world “ken”.
This special exhibition “Izumo and Yamato” is jointly held by Shimane and Nara prefectures, which symbolize the “Yu” and “Ken” in ancient times, and the Tokyo National Museum.
In the special exhibition, Izumo and Yamato’s masterpieces gather together to explore the formation of ancient Japan and its characteristics.
※ Enshrined (= the spirit is settled in a certain place)

Highlight

There are four highlights of the special exhibition “Izumo and Yamato”.

① Izumo Taisha Sacred treasure can be seen in Tokyo

From ancient times, you can see works telling the history of Izumo Taisha, such as the treasures such as hand boxes and armor transmitted to Izumo Taisha, giant pillars excavated from the precincts, paintings decorating the shrine.
In particular, the two pillars, the Shinto Hashida (Shino only pillar) and the Uzu Pillar (Uzuba Shira), allegedly supporting the 48-meter-long main shrine of Izumo Taisha, have been unveiled for the first time in history!
It is a valuable document that supports the existence of the main shrine of Izumo Taisha.

② Large quantity of bronze ware excavated in Tokyo for the first time in about 20 years

189 exhibits from bronze ware (copper sword, bronze dot, bronze spear) excavated from the national treasure, Kojindani archeological site, and 30 pieces from bronze spear excavated from the national treasure, Kamoi Iwakura archeological site.
This is the first time such a large amount of unearthed bronze ware has gathered in Tokyo for about 20 years.

③ Exhibition of the most excavated triangular green beast mirror

33 triangular green sacred beast mirrors that protected and calmed down the burial mounds of the Kurozuka tumulus.
As for the number excavated from one tumulus, all the points of the largest triangular green beast mirror in Japan are exhibited.

④ First public! A hidden Buddha statue

The oldest stone Buddha that has been quietly guarded in the land of Yamato for 1300 years will be unveiled outside the temple.
Pay attention to the details, such as the slight remaining coloring and the sharp digging hole.

■ Introducing the hottest exhibits!

Featured exhibits are introduced in chapters.

Chapter 1 Giant Main Hall Izumo Taisha Highlight Exhibition

“Shin-nomihashira” and “Uzu-hashira”

A pillar excavated at a depth of 1.3 meters under the grounds of Izumo Taisha Shrine in 2000.
If you look closely, there are traces of gouging on the pillars.
This is the trace of a rope and the surface of a hatchet whose surface was adjusted when logging and transporting it from the site to the exhibition room.
Even in the local area, it is not easy to display side by side,
It is a valuable opportunity.
I looked at both pillars from all angles.
I can’t actually touch my hands, but I felt that the feeling was different depending on where I touched, such as being rough or glossy.

Two pillars have been installed to reproduce the actual situation inside the premise of Izumo Taisha.
Stand between the pillars, spread your hands widely and look up to see the real feeling.

 

 

Chapter 2 Izumo

National treasure “Bronze Sword” Aragami Valley, Izumo-shi, Shimane

It is a bronze sword excavated during excavation in 1984.
All the bronze swords on display appear to be of the same size and standardized, but if you look closely, you will see a ✖ engraved on the stem.
This is considered to be a trace of the process from production to burial at once, a feature not found in other bronze swords distributed around San-in.
It makes me feel that the delicate Japanese manufacturing technology has been around since ancient times.

 

National treasure “Bronze hoko” Aragami Valley, Izumo-shi, Shimane

This is the 16 bronze hoko from the Aragami Valley, which boast the highest number of unearthed rocks in Japan.
If you compare them one by one, you will find something.
A rattled edge, a relatively clean edge,
Rusted and faded, black-brown and shiny,
And the unique bronze hoko are lined up.

 

National treasure “Bontan dot” Ruins of Aragami Valley, Izumo-shi, Shimane

It is a bronze dot excavated from Aragami Valley.
There are various types, but they are almost the same size.
There are many places where the end of the bronze is scratched, and there are traces of considerable use.
What kind of thoughts did people at that time stare at at this bronze dot?

 

Chapter 3 Yamato

National treasure “Seven swords”

It is a treasure sword transmitted to Ishigami Jingu Shrine, and a treasure similar to the Shinto shrine.
Formerly, it was subdued in the main shrine.
A very rare type that has branches growing sideways is characteristic,
In the center is an inscription of 61 characters.
On the surface, a statement that if you have this sword, you will reject hundreds of changes,
On the reverse side, there is a statement that the royal family of Baekje on the Korean Peninsula was dedicated to the King of Wa.
It is a rare and rare opportunity to see this seven-armed sword, which is also described in the Nihon Shoki, as a seven-sheathed sword!

 

・ Important Cultural Property “Gamon Belt Mirror”

The “gamon Belt Mirror” displayed in the center is a copper mirror excavated from the Hokenoyama Burial Mound in Nara Prefecture.
On the outside, a car with a sun wheel, a beast pulling the car, and a sensation are shown in relief.
It is very small but has a strong presence.

・ Important Cultural Property “Triangle Beast Mirror”

The “Triangle Beast Mirror” displayed on the left and right is a copper mirror excavated from the Kamihara Shrine Tumulus in Kamo-cho, Yunnan City, Shimane Prefecture.
On the outside, patterns of Shinsen and spirit beasts are engraved.
The appearance of the 33 faces is spectacular.

 

 

Chapter 4  Buddha and Government (the festival)

・ Two eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva statues

Two 11-faced Kannon Bodhisattva statues in the center of the photo.
At that time, we prayed for the great power of Kannon and wished for the prosperity of the country and the safe lives of the people.
It is strange to stand in front of the statue of the Kannon Bodhisattva, because you will feel as if you are being protected by something invisible.

･ (Of Shitenno statue) National treasure “Hirome Tendai statue” *Left
･ (Of Shitenno statue) “Tamon statue”  * Right

Shitenno is a symbol of national politics.
Both the two Buddha statues are impressive with thick eyebrows and large nose.
At first, I was overwhelmed by the intimidation of the Buddha statue, but after staring at it for a while, I realized that there was a person who did not want to leave the place forever.

Conclusion

I have reported on the press preview of “1300 Nihonshoki Special Exhibition Izumo and Yamato”.
Works that tell the history of Izumo Taisha, a large number of excavated bronze pieces exhibited for the first time in 20 years､
33 triangular triangle Beast Mirror､Buddha statues.
All of these exhibits were full of stimulus and it was not enough just once and it was a fulfilling content that I wanted to see again and again.
The preview was really flooded with so many people that it was so hot that you had to wait to see the exhibits.

“Nihon Shoki 1300 Special Exhibition Izumo and Yamato” currently being held at the Heiseikan at the Tokyo National Museum. Why don’t you come and celebrate the 1300 year of Nihon Shoki through experiencing the process of ancient Japan? Is not it?

Event summary

Exhibition name	Nihon Shoki 1300 Special Exhibition “Izumo and Yamato”
Session	January 15 (Wed)-March 8 (Sun) 2020 Early Exhibition January 15 (Wed)-February 9 (Sun) Late Exhibition February 11 (Tuesday / holiday)-March 8 (Sun)
Venue	Tokyo National Museum Heiseikan (Ueno Park)
Opening hours	9: 30-17: 00 (Admission until 30 minutes before closing, open until 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays during the exhibition)
closing day	Monday, February 25 (Tue) (Open on February 24 (Monday, closed))
Viewing fee	General 1,600 yen (1,400 yen / 1,300 yen) University student 1,200 yen (1,000 yen / 900 yen) High school student 900 yen (700 yen / 600 yen) Free for junior high school students and below ＊ (): Advance sale / Group rate for 20 people or more * Free for disabled people and their caregiver. Please show a handbook for people with disabilities when entering the library * Tokyo National Museum Campus Members members can purchase same-day tickets for 1,000 yen (200 yen discount). At the main ticket office, tell us that you are a Campus Members student and present your student ID card. * You can purchase a regular ticket of 1,600 yen for 1,500 yen (100 yen discount) at the “Tokyo Museum Gourtt Pass” . Please apply at the main ticket office (window). * With this exhibition admission ticket, you can also see the general culture exhibition (normal exhibition) only once on the day of the exhibition day during the exhibition.
Contact us	Hello dial 03-5777-8600 Reception hours: All day from 8 am to 10 pm Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish
Official HP	https://izumo-yamato2020.jp/

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