In conjunction with the closure of ABAB UENO, the “ABAB Closing Big Big Big Big Thanksgiving Art Festival” will be held from Wednesday, June 5th. Works by artists, mainly those who are residents of the Uenoshita Studio, will be on display.

Uenoshita Studio, which was established with the aim of supporting young artists, will close at the end of June 2024. This exhibition will be a presentation of the results of work produced at the Uenoshita Studio and an expression of gratitude to ABAB UENO.

The Chain Museum Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "The Chain Museum") will be holding the "ABAB Closing Thank You Art Festival" from Wednesday, June 5th at "ABAB UENO", which is operated by the art communication platform "ArtSticker".

Uenoshita Studio opened in September 2023 on the 6th floor of ABAB UENO, which is scheduled to close due to the aging of the building, as a studio where artists can create, store, and occasionally exhibit their works.
In conjunction with the closing of ABAB UENO on Sunday, June 30, 2024, we will be holding an art festival featuring artists involved in the Uenoshita Studio.

Participating artists (in alphabetical order, titles omitted)
Etsuko Ichihara, Embeli Lea, Risako Kokubun, Gunji, CON_, Aya Takahashi, Ari Tazaki, Ayane Nozaki, Kenji Hirazawa, Rintaro Fuse, Yoshimoto Masuda, Hibiki Yamada, Shu Yonezawa, Xihang Lu, Shiori Watanabe

・Comment from the organizer

Young artists face the triple whammy of "no place to create," "no place to show," and "no place to store." In September 2023, the Uenoshita Studio was opened on the sixth floor of ABAB UENO to solve these problems.
Two-thirds of the floor was used as a studio where artists could live and create, and the remaining third was set up as an exhibition space and a warehouse. The system works that the residents created in the studio can be exhibited in the exhibition space, and when the exhibition is over, they can store the works in the warehouse. As it is located a 15-minute walk from Tokyo University of the Arts, collaborations were also carried out with several laboratories at the university, and 35 artists have devoted themselves to creating and exhibiting their works over the past six months. Many of them are up-and-coming artists who are attracting a great deal of attention from the art world. It is worth noting that the works created here, using a variety of techniques, have gone on to be exhibited in large and small galleries, award winners' exhibitions, and museums.
The hustle and bustle of Ameyoko, its unique smells, and the all-encompassing character of the area provided each artist with tremendous inspiration and stimulation, giving them hints for their next productions.
This exhibition is a kind of final farewell to the residents, as an expression of gratitude to them at the closing ceremony.

Photo by Ryo Yoshiya

"ABAB Closing Great Thank You Arts Festival"

Dates
June 5th (Wed) – June 30th (Sun), 2024

time
12:00-18:00 (last entrance 17:30)
*The final day, Sunday, June 30th, is open from 12:00 to 16:00 (final entrance 15:30)

closing day
Monday – Wednesday
*Open on the first day, Wednesday June 5th

venue
Uenoshita Studio (ABAB UENO 6th floor)

address
6th floor, ABABUENO, 4-8-4 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8541

Admission fee
500 yen

Participating artists (in alphabetical order, titles omitted)
Etsuko Ichihara, Embeli Lea, Risako Kokubun, Gunji, CON_, Aya Takahashi, Ari Tazaki, Ayane Nozaki, Kenji Hirazawa, Rintaro Fuse, Yoshimoto Masuda, Hibiki Yamada, Shu Yonezawa, Xihang Lu, Shiori Watanabe

Organizer
ArtSticker (run by The Chain Museum)

Exhibition URL
https://artsticker.page.link/uenoshita_grandfinale

・Concurrent Events

Additionally, the satellite venue, ABAB UENO, on the 5th floor, will host "Ddass Vol.1" by the artist project Man Monday.

ABAB UENO will be hosting the first project of Man Monday, "Ddass Vol.1", which aims to develop new forms of art by maintaining a pace and speed of presentations rooted in daily life and expression and by acquiring a new ecosystem, however small.
"Ddass" is an acronym for "Drawing duplication acquisition slow system," and is a project that focuses on the so-called "drawings" that artists draw during their creative process, thought experiments, or in random moments. Man Monday will turn these drawings into trading cards and sell them in vending machines at the venue during the event.
Currently, capsule toy vending machines are filling up vacant spaces in shopping complexes, and are also attracting attention as a business opportunity in the inbound tourist market.
Through "Ddass," Man Monday aims to provide clues and guidance to the increasingly complex world of contemporary art, and to attract new viewers through new distribution channels.

Drawing artists (in alphabetical order, titles omitted)
Kenta Ishige, Dan Isomura, Hayato Isozaki, Risa Komiya, Koichiro Tada, Datsuo, Namonaki Sanemasa, Marin Harada, Sae Fujita, We and everyone are alive, Taro Maruyama, Reina Sanpei, Eriko Mukae, Maho Motoyama, Yutaro Yamada, Yamada Yoshida

・Greetings from the organizer

Monday [Long-winded]
(adv.) (from Chinese) (manmande) A word used to describe something that is slow. Slowly. Leisurely.
(Source: The Selected Edition of the Japanese Language Dictionary)

With the recent development of social media and the expansion of the art market, artists have been given more opportunities to exhibit their work than ever before. The way in which new connections that did not exist before are being created, overtaking the conservative hierarchy of the industry, has captivated and engaged people without boundaries, which has led to a chain reaction that further strengthens this structure. However, gradually, this chain has taken an accelerating step, fueled by various intentions, desires, and emotions. At the end of this self-consuming chain, a violent wilderness has arisen in which each of these transforms the artwork into image data circulated on the web, words into weapons for confrontation and agitation, viewers into buyers and followers, and artists into devices for attracting public attention.

Monday is a project that aims to develop new forms of art by allowing artists living today to maintain a pace and speed of presentation rooted in their lives and expressions, and to acquire a new ecosphere, even if small, in other words, to re-cultivate the aforementioned wilderness into a more decent form. For example, in 19th century France, where the air was filled with the scent of war, Cezanne, who kept a certain distance from the radical Impressionists who were gaining fame using new chemical art materials at the time and continued his own explorations in the suburbs, was finally recognized in his later years and later called the "father of modern painting." It may take time, but we too will continue to experiment and reach our goal.

"Ddass Vol.1"

Dates
June 1st (Sat) – June 30th (Sun) 2024

time
10:30〜20:00

closing day
none

venue
ABAB UENO 5th floor

address
5F ABABUENO, 4-8-4 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8541

Admission fee
free

Participating artists (in alphabetical order, titles omitted)
Kenta Ishige, Dan Isomura, Hayato Isozaki, Risa Komiya, Koichiro Tada, Datsuo, Namonaki Sanemasa, Marin Harada, Sae Fujita, We and everyone are alive, Taro Maruyama, Reina Sanpei, Eriko Mukae, Maho Motoyama, Yutaro Yamada, Yamada Yoshida

Organizer
FLOATING ALPS LLC.
Man Monday Writers: Kenta Ishige, Koichiro Tada, Yutaro Yamada

Exhibition URL
https://artsticker.page.link/Ddass_Vol1

・About ABAB UENO

This ladies' fashion building in Ueno, Tokyo is operated by AbuAbu Akafudado Co., Ltd. It houses over 40 shops selling a wide variety of clothing, shoes, miscellaneous goods, lingerie, cosmetics, and more, many of which offer trendy items at low prices. Founded in 1945, this department store has been operating in the Ueno area for 78 years.

・About ArtSticker

Operated by The Chain Museum Co., Ltd., this platform provides opportunities to encounter art and places to enjoy dialogue, and "connects a series of experiences" in art appreciation. It features a wide range of works from well-known artists to up-and-coming young artists. The genres of the works are also diverse, including installations, paintings, and performing arts.

▽ArtSticker Website
http://bit.ly/3ZeK8vS

▽ArtSticker download URL
≫ App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/artsticker/id1446438049
≫ Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=art.tcm.artsticker

·Company Profile

Company name: The Chain Museum Co., Ltd.
Location: 3rd floor, Daikanyama Art Village, 17-10 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Masamichi Toyama, Representative Director
▽The Chain Museum Co., Ltd. Official Website
https://tcm.art/

From the press release of The Chain Museum Co., Ltd.

Article provided by: Kokosil Ueno


See other exhibition information

“Manga x Puzzle solving x Walking around the city” original experiential entertainment “Metro Time Gate” starts on Friday, May 31st!

You will become the main character and adventure through the city of Tokyo with original Tokyo Metro characters!

Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Tokyo Metro"), in collaboration with Holiday Hack Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "Holiday Hack"), which develops the experiential service "Machi Hack!" centered on local content, will be holding a limited-time original experiential entertainment called "Metro Time Gate" from Friday, May 31st, 2024 to Saturday, August 31st, 2024, in which visitors will be able to become the protagonist of an original manga through a combination of "manga x puzzle solving x walking around the city."

This project is an entertainment project developed with Holiday Hack, which passed the final screening in our open innovation program "Tokyo Metro ACCELERATOR 2022". It will be held for a limited time as an experiential entertainment of "manga x puzzle solving x walking around town", where you can enjoy walking around the town along the Tokyo Metro line with original characters drawn by Tokyo Metro along the story of the manga .

Purchase a trial kit (manga + 24-hour Tokyo Metro ticket for Metro Time Gate) on the dedicated website, exchange (receive) the ticket and trial kit at a Tokyo Metro commuter pass counter, read the manga, and register a nickname on the site, and "you" will appear as the main character in the manga. Also, as you solve puzzles set in the real city based on the information obtained from the manga, a story will unfold in which "you" is the main character, linking the story with your experiences in the city.

"Metro Time Gate" also features original characters drawn by manga artist Kenichi Watanabe, such as Shimochi Maru, who pays homage to the Marunouchi Line. Please enjoy this new experiential entertainment in which "you" become the protagonist of the manga and solve various mysteries and problems while traveling around the city of Tokyo with the characters.

Tokyo Metro is promoting the "City Tourism" initiative, which aims to encourage people to walk around the city, experience the charms of the areas along the Tokyo Metro line, and fall in love with the city, leading to tourism within Tokyo. Please see the attached sheet for details.

・About the original experience-based entertainment "Metro Time Gate"

1. What is "Metro Time Gate"?
"Metro Time Gate" is a new experiential entertainment with the theme of "manga x solving puzzles x walking around town" developed by Tokyo Metro and Holiday Hack, where you can become the protagonist of an original manga. Purchase a ticket for the experience kit (manga + 24-hour Tokyo Metro ticket for "Metro Time Gate") on the dedicated online site, exchange (receive) the ticket and experience kit at a commuter pass sales counter, read the manga, and register a nickname on the site, and "you" will appear as the protagonist in the manga. Also, by solving puzzles set in the real city based on the information obtained from the manga, you will be able to complete your own manga that links the story and your experiences in the city.

The manga and original characters were drawn by Kenichi Watanabe, a manga artist known for his delicate yet powerful illustrations. The characters will call you by name, and you will be able to take commemorative photos with the characters at the places you visit, giving you the experience of becoming the protagonist of the manga.

・Story synopsis

One day, a boy suddenly discovered a mysterious hole – a mysterious "gate." Beyond the gate was a world that was identical to ours… a so-called parallel world. This was a world called "NEXT" where intelligent life forms similar to ours had built their culture.
And now, a voice calls out to "you." "Please… help me."
It was a call for help from Mal, a member of the elite NEXT Keepers who protect NEXT. This is the story of the NEXT Keepers and you fighting for the survival of the world.

<Main characters>
Shimochi Maru Nickname: Maru
A lively and bright character
Due to a major incident that occurred in NEXT in the past,
After losing his father, he vows to become the next keeper.
He is the grandson of Shimoji Ginzaburo, the commander-in-chief of Next Keeper.

Vice-President Miyako (nickname: Fuku)
The next goalkeeper is a young ace.
Although he is usually a joker, he is very smart.
He is in charge of the Next Keeper's staff.
Even the commander-in-chief, Ginsaburo, has a high opinion of Fuku.

2. How to participate
① Purchase a ticket for the experience kit (including a "Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket" for use at the "Metro Time Gate") on the dedicated website.
② Exchange your ticket and experience kit at some Tokyo Metro commuter pass sales points
3. Read the comic included in the trial kit and register your name on the website.
*Free membership registration is required.
4. Use the information you have gained to explore various stations and solve the puzzles presented.
5. Decode all the codes and clear the game

3. Event period

 From Friday, May 31, 2024 to Saturday, August 31, 2024
 *Sales for the day of redemption will end at 8:00 p.m. on the day of redemption .

4. Sales period
From Friday, May 24, 2024 at 14:00 to Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 20:00
 *Sales for the day of redemption will end at 8:00 p.m. on the day of redemption .

5. How to purchase a trial kit
Metro Time Gate dedicated website sales (advance reservation required)
1. Access the dedicated website ( https://tokyometro.machihack.com/ ), select the exchange date, exchange location, and quantity, and pay with the specified payment method. Once payment is complete, a QR code that can be used for redemption will be issued.
② On the specified redemption date, present the QR code sent to you at the redemption location to receive your trial kit.
*A fee will be charged if you cancel after payment has been completed.
*The maximum number of items that can be purchased at one time is 10 sets.
*Please note that there is a limit to the number of tickets that can be sold per day.
*QR code is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE Inc.

<Pick-up (exchange) locations and times for the experience kit>
Some Tokyo Metro commuter pass sales points (6 locations)
(Applicable commuter pass sales points) Ueno Station, Ginza Station, Shinjuku Station, Iidabashi Station, Toyosu Station, and Oji Station
(Business hours) 7:40-20:00
*A special booth will be set up for a limited time at the Shinjuku Station commuter pass sales counter.

6. Sales price
2,800 yen (tax included) (includes Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket for use at the Metro Time Gate)
*The 24-hour special ticket is valid for only 24 hours from the time of use (passing through the ticket gate) until Saturday, August 31, 2024.
*Valid on all Tokyo Metro lines.
*We will not sell just the 24-hour ticket or just the kit excluding the 24-hour ticket.
*This product is not available for children.

7. Refunds
(1) If you have an unused experience kit (including a Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket for the Metro Time Gate)
*Only valid and unused experience kits are eligible.
A. Refund locations: Tokyo Metro Passenger Information Centers
(Ueno Station, Ginza Station, Omotesando Station, Tokyo Station, Shinjuku Station, Ikebukuro Station)
B. Refund Time
a Tokyo Station 8:00-20:00
b Ueno Station, Ginza Station, Shinjuku Station 9:00am – 5:00pm
c Omotesando Station/Ikebukuro Station 9:00-16:00
(2) If you have a QR code
Please complete the procedure from your My Page on the purchasing site.

*In either case (1) or (2), a fee of 220 yen will be charged.

8. Contact Information
Tokyo Metro contact page : https://www.tokyometro.jp/support/index.html

9. Important Notices
– While participating in the event, please be mindful of your surroundings when walking on the platform or within the station.
・Please refrain from solving puzzles in places where it may cause inconvenience to other customers.
・Station staff, train crew, and commuter pass sales staff do not have any clues or answers to the mystery.
・Please use mobile phones with good manners.
・The temperature is expected to be extremely high during the event. Please be sure to drink plenty of water and take care to avoid heatstroke.
・To read the manga and enter your answers, you will need a device that can connect to the Internet, such as a smartphone or tablet. Please be careful not to run out of battery.
・This program will have the same content throughout the duration of the program. For the sake of those who will be enjoying the program, it is strictly prohibited to publish the puzzles, answers, and handouts on the Internet, such as on blogs or SNS, or to transfer or resell them.

10. Organizer
Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd.
Holiday Hack Co., Ltd.

From Tokyo Metro's press release

Article provided by: Kokosil Ueno


See other exhibition information

Have fun walking around Ueno! Ueno Museum Week is scheduled to be held!

From Friday, May 10th to Sunday, May 26th, enjoy a cultural walking tour with a stamp rally around popular spots and gourmet spots in the Ueno area!

In the Ueno area, in commemoration of International Museum Day on May 18th, 12 facilities around Ueno Park, including museums, art galleries, and the zoo, will cooperate with Ueno Norenkai member stores to hold Ueno Museum Week. This year, a digital stamp rally will also be held for the first time. On International Museum Day on May 18th, multiple museums will be free to enter. Make the most of the event by using the annual “Town Fun” coupons.

 

The biggest attraction this year is the first-ever digital stamp rally! There will be 13 stamp points in the Ueno area, from cultural facilities in Ueno Park to various spots in the Ueno shopping district!

In addition to the cultural facilities in the park, there are also other spots in the city where you can feel art, such as the Matsuzakaya Ueno Store Main Building 7F Art Gallery, ABAB Ueno Store 6F “Uenoshita Studio”, and CREATIVE HUB UENO “es”, an art space in Ueno Station. Among them, BUZZCHIKA (located in the basement of Shinobaz Brewery Hitsuji Ice) is an art hotspot in the city where young artists’ exhibitions and plays are actively held. Enjoy the atmosphere of Ueno, the city of art, along with the stamp rally. The stamp rally rewards include coupons that can be used at Ueno stores at one stamp (you can get up to 13 per stamp!), creator collaboration digital art works at three stamps, and prizes from participating cultural facilities at seven stamps.

Another highlight is the “free admission” on May 18th, “International Museum Day.” On that day, you can visit three museums for free: the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Nature and Science, and the National Museum of Western Art. In addition, this year the Tokyo University of the Arts Museum will be giving away original museum goods to the first 50 visitors.

*The free admission day for the Taito Ward Former Tokyo Music School Concert Hall is Wednesday, May 15th. Please be careful not to make a mistake.

 

The annual coupon service can be used at 11 Ueno Noren-kai stores. During the period, please present the admission ticket stub of one of the 12 cultural facilities participating in Ueno Museum Week 2024. We will be offering generous free services such as complimentary soft drinks, draft beer, desserts, and 10% off purchases. Invite your friends and family to enjoy the whole of Ueno’s “forest” and “town.”

 

■Event Overview■

International Museum Day Commemorative Events 2024 Ueno Museum Week Period: Friday, May 10, 2023 to Sunday, May 26, 2023

Venues (participating facilities and organizations): Tokyo National Museum / National Museum of Nature and Science / National Museum of Western Art / Tokyo University of the Arts Art Museum / Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum / Ueno Zoological Gardens / The Ueno Royal Museum / Taito Ward Former Tokyo Music School Concert Hall / Former Iwasaki Garden / National Museum of Modern Architecture / National Diet Library International Children’s Library / Toeizan Kan’ei-ji Temple / Ueno Noren Association participating stores (in no particular order)
*There will be days when the museum is closed during the exhibition period.

Organized by: Ueno Museum Week Executive Organization Federation Co-organized by: Ueno Norenkai Supported by: National Museum of Nature and Science Foundation Cooperation: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Eastern Park and Green Space Office, Taito City, Taito City Arts and Culture Foundation Official website: http://www.ueno-mw.com/

 

■[Ueno Morimachi Wandering] Ueno Museum Week 2024 ~ International Museum Day ~ ■

A digital stamp rally will be held from Friday, May 10th to Sunday, May 26th. Stamp points will appear at the participating facilities listed below.

[Participating facilities]
・National Museum of Nature and Science・National Museum of Western Art・Tokyo National Museum・Ueno Royal Museum・Concert Hall of the Former Tokyo Music School・Former Iwasaki Residence Gardens・Tokyo University of the Arts Art Museum・International Library of Children’s Literature・Kaneiji Temple・Matsuzakaya Ueno Store Main Building 7F Art Gallery・ABAB Ueno Store 6F “Uenoshita Studio”
・BUZZCHIKA
・CREATIVE HUB UENO “es”

【How to Use】
Download the digital stamp rally Furari on your smartphone. Go to the designated location of the participating facilities and get a stamp. With one stamp, you can get a coupon that can be used at Ueno stores (you can get up to 13 for each stamp!), with three stamps you can get a creator collaboration digital art piece, and with seven stamps you can get prizes from participating cultural facilities. Prizes will be shipped to the winners one to two months after the Museum Week ends.

1 stamp….Coupons that can be used at Ueno stores (You can get up to 13 coupons for each stamp!)
3 stamps….. Creator collaboration digital art work 7 stamps….. Prizes from participating museums

[Coupons that can be used at Ueno stores]
Please refer to the coupon service for stores offering coupons.

[Creator Collaboration Digital Artwork]
We will be distributing digital artworks created by four young artists from the Ueno area-based art support group, Geio Nurture Town Club.

 

TOMIMO and Akina create works based on the theme of “Encounter with Memory.” They explore the gap between reality and reality by incorporating not only the human gaze but also the machine gaze. Their main exhibitions include “Mamono” (Ginza Nikon Salon, 2018), “HUMAN<3” (Kyoto International Film and Art Festival, 2019), and “Where is my bus?” (Tanegashima Space Art Festival, 2019) under the name of Tomimoto Travel. Their books include “mamono” (PlaceM Publishing, 2020). Graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School of Advanced Art and Media.
Web: https://ak-7.net

Jiyuu
Graduated from Tama Art University, Department of Crafts, majoring in metal. Using materials such as metal, antlers, and wood, he creates original sci-fi works using craft techniques. Recently, he has also been creating derivative works using 3D printers.

MAHANA
fair enoughCreative director
Depending on the concept and expression, various techniques are used, from flat to three-dimensional works. The concept of the work is to project the thoughts of the time, from personal to social satire.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mahana_fe_d/?hl=ja

fair enough
fair enough is a designer brand launched in 2021. The brand explores expression with the concept of “sufficient fairness and dialogue” and will be exhibiting at New York Fashion Week 2024AW.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairenough_official_/?hl=ja

 

Kobori Sayaka<br />Plush toy artist. Representative of smallmoat(combined). Born September 18, 1991.
Born in Niigata Prefecture and raised in Kanagawa Prefecture. We create palm-sized original characters based on the concept of “not just”. We create everything from pattern making to dyeing and accessory production from scratch.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coborisayaka/?hl=ja

CHIKA TOYS
Chika
<br />Originally from Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture. She creates a retro-future worldview by fusing mecha with cuteness. It is a story about rusty robots who continue to live as humans in a decaying world. She has been an artist for 10 years. She has exhibited at various events and has also exhibited her works at the Art Education Association.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chikatoys/?hl=ja


[List of prizes for participating museums]
〇 20 pairs of 40 National Museum of Nature and Science common invitation tickets

〇 National Museum of Western Art “Naito Collection Manuscripts – A Microcosm of the Elegance of the Middle Ages” admission tickets (20 pairs, 40 tickets)

*Tokyo National Museum General Cultural Exhibition invitation ticket + original ticket folder set (20 pairs, 40 tickets) *Special guided tour invitation (held on a date designated by the museum) (10 pairs, 20 people)

– 16 original goods from the “Dinosaur Picture Book Exhibition” held at the Ueno Royal Museum last year (a set of a mug, ballpoint pen, and sticker)

* 10 sets of 2 invitation tickets for the former Tokyo Music School Concert Hall + 1 ticket folder (total of 20 invitation tickets and 10 ticket folders)

〇 Original Iwasaki Residence Garden eco bag 20 people (1 per person)

〇Tokyo University of the Arts University Art Museum Original postcard (20 winners)

* Kan’ei-ji Temple special stamp book not for sale 20 winners (1 per person)

■Coupon Service■

During the period from Saturday, May 6th to Sunday, May 28th, you can receive free services by presenting your ticket stub from each museum at the stores listed below. For details on the services, please see the Ueno Museum Week official website.

[Participating stores]
Yoshi Sushi Ueno Branch, Anmitsu Mihashi, Izuei (eel restaurant), Hatoya (ladies’ clothing), Tenju (tempura), Kaiseki Chinese cuisine Ueno Ikenohata Kogets, Western cuisine Kurofunetei, Kameya Issui-tei (grilled eel and seasonal vegetables), Yakiniku Taishoen, Selected Western cuisine Sakurai, Shabu-shabu Hachinoki

【How to Use】
Present your ticket stub for a cultural facility in Ueno Park. *Present one ticket per person. *Cannot be used in conjunction with coupon services.

 

■Presents■

[Ueno Royal Museum]
May 3rd (Friday, National Holiday) Museum original goods giveaway Time: 10:00~
●Contents: Limited to the first 50 visitors to the exhibition at the reception counter

[National Museum of Western Art]
Saturday, May 18th: Museum original postcard giveaway Time: 9:30am
●Location: Permanent exhibition ticket gate ●Target: First 200 visitors to the permanent exhibition

[Tokyo University of the Arts Museum]
Saturday, May 18th: Museum original goods giveaway Time: 10:00~
●Location: Entrance hall ●Target: First 50 visitors to the exhibition

 

[BUZZCHIKA Exhibition Information]

Exhibition title: FIND IT!!!

Small organisms that have popped out from Ueno Forest into the city gather in the space called Buzzchika. Enjoy the experience of encountering a wide variety of organisms that you would never encounter in your everyday life.

Dates: May 10th (Fri) – 12th (Sun), 2024, May 17th (Fri) – 19th (Sun), 24th (Fri) – 26th (Sun)
Time: 13:00-17:00
Location: 2-10-7 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0005, Japan
Exhibiting artists: Sayaka Kobori, Jiyu, Chika Toys, MAHANA fair enough

 

■What is International Museum Day? ■

“International Museum Day” is a museum commemoration day established by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 1977. Commemorative events are held at museums around the world on and around May 18th with the aim of familiarizing many people with museums and raising awareness of the role of museums. Ueno, which is rare even on an international level in terms of the large number of cultural facilities such as museums and art galleries gathered there, holds various commemorative events every year around “International Museum Day” as “Ueno Museum Week”, held by cultural facilities and the Ueno Noren Association.

■Ueno Norenkai■

Ueno, the cloud of flowers, is the representative entertainment district of this part of Edo. It is the source of art and culture in the Meiji period. The Ueno Noren Association is a federation of about 100 famous stores in Ueno. Since its founding in 1959 (Showa 34), it has been publishing the town magazine “Ueno” every month with the aim of rediscovering the cultural traditions of this area. This is the 776th issue (as of May 2024).


■ Flyer ■

◎Inquiries Ueno Museum Week Executive Committee Secretariat
TEL 03-3833-8016 FAX 03-3839-2765 (Ueno Norenkai, weekdays 10:00-17:00)

 

From the Ueno Norenkai press release

Article provided by: Kokosil Ueno


See other exhibition information

[Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum] Report on the “De Chirico Exhibition.” A look into the full scope of his art, including the metaphysical paintings that shocked many surrealists

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Metaphysical Muses, 1918, Castello di Rivoli Museo d'Arte Contemporanea, Rivoli-Turin, long-term loan from Fondazione Cerruti © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024

The first large-scale retrospective of the 20th century master Giorgio de Chirico (1888-1978) in Japan in 10 years, "De Chirico Exhibition," is currently being held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno, Tokyo. The exhibition will run until August 29, 2024.

Installation view © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024
Installation view © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024
Installation view © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024

Giorgio de Chirico gained fame for his "metaphysical paintings," which had a major influence on many artists, including surrealists such as Salvador Dali and René Magritte. Although he is known as an avant-garde painter, he was also devoted to classical expression techniques such as the Renaissance and Baroque, and his style changed significantly with the times.

A retrospective exhibition usually presents works from an artist's early period to his later years in chronological order. However, this exhibition brings together over 100 works, mainly oil paintings, from all over the world, grouped by themes and motifs that De Chirico dealt with, such as "Self-portraits and portraits," "Metaphysical paintings," and "Return to traditional painting," and provides an easy-to-understand introduction to how he continued to paint them and make changes to them .

As an introduction, Chapter 1 focuses on self-portraits and portraits. De Chirico began his career as an artist early on, and produced hundreds of self-portraits throughout his life. The various stylistic changes seen in his self-portraits reflect the results of the research he pursued in each of his eras.

Portrait of the Brother, 1910, State Gallery Berlin © Photo Scala, Firenze / bpk, Museum für Kunst, Kultur und Geschichte, Berlin © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024

De Chirico was born in Greece in 1888 to Italian parents, and after the death of his father, he moved to Munich, Germany with his mother and younger brother. He enrolled in art school there but dropped out, and moved to Milan, Italy in 1909. At the time, De Chirico was greatly influenced by the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche and the paintings of Arnold Böcklin, the abstract painter famous for Isle of the Dead. This exhibition features a rare portrait he painted during this period, that is, in the early stages before he established his style of metaphysical painting in Paris, called Portrait of his Brother (1910).

Self-Portrait, circa 1922, Toledo Museum of Art © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024

Self-Portrait (c1922) was a response by De Chirico to a time when a movement called "Return to Order" was sweeping through Western art, rediscovering the order of classical painting as a reaction to the destruction of expressive forms caused by the avant-garde movement. It is based on the rigid vision of Renaissance paintings such as Piero della Francesca and Raffaello Sanzio.

Self-Portrait in Bullfighter Costume, 1941, Casa Rodolfo Siviero Museum © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024
Self-Portrait in a Park in 17th Century Costume, 1959, Giorgio e Isa de Chirico Foundation © Fondazione Giorgio e Isa de Chirico, Roma © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024

In addition, some of his self-portraits are in 17th-century costumes or dressed as bullfighters. Such theatrical attempts and theatrical tastes are one of the characteristics of De Chirico's work, and are closely related to the stage design of operas and other theater productions that he was involved in intermittently throughout his career. In the second half of the exhibition, costumes and design sketches created by De Chirico are also on display, so it will be interesting to view the exhibition while imagining the mutual influence they had on each other.

The second chapter is de Chirico's signature metaphysical paintings, divided into three themes: "Italian Piazza," "Metaphysical Interior," and "Mannequin." This is the highlight of the exhibition, bringing together many of De Chirico's masterpieces from his golden age of the 1910s, which are usually scattered around the world.

One day in 1910, De Chirico was struck by the sensation of seeing a familiar landscape for the first time in Piazza Santa Croce in Florence. This "revelation" prompted him to begin producing paintings that, while depicting concrete scenes such as squares and interiors, hint at the extraordinary, the mystical and mysterious, resembling dream images, through distorted perspective and the arrangement of motifs that would not normally exist.

"Statue of Silence (Ariadne)" 1913, Art Collection of North Rhine-Westphalia © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024

After moving to Paris in 1911, his fantastical paintings immediately captivated critics and became part of the forefront of the Parisian art movement. Influenced by the philosophy of his beloved Nietzsche, De Chirico later named these works "metaphysical painting." His Silent Figure (Ariadne) (1913), exhibited in the "Piazza Italiana" corner, is truly a masterpiece of metaphysical painting.

"Italian Square with the Pink Tower", circa 1934, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Trento and Rovereto (long-term loan from the LF Collection) © Archivio Fotografico e Mediateca Mart © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024

"Piazza Italiana with a Pink Tower" (c1934), which depicts a square with no people in it, but with long shadows extending from outside the picture plane creating an ominous atmosphere, is a reproduction of "Piazza Italiana with a Red Tower" created in 1913. De Chirico was also active in reproducing metaphysical paintings he had painted in the past, and although this practice was sometimes criticized as "forgery," he himself seemed to take a positive view of it, saying, "There is no flaw in these reproductions, except that they are painted with more beautiful materials and more refined techniques" (from a letter to the wife of his teacher André Breton, who commissioned the reproduction).

With the outbreak of World War I, De Chirico moved from Paris to Ferrara as a soldier, and his paintings switched from the open views overlooking the square to the enclosed spaces of interiors. The motifs he painted were also inspired by the interiors of houses and shop windows in Ferrara, and objects that would have been around De Chirico in his daily life, such as biscuits, nautical charts, and rulers, began to appear without any context.

"Evangelical Still Life I" 1916, Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Osaka © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024

These are called "metaphysical interiors," and when we look at works from the 1910s, we see that the motifs depicted are unnaturally close to the viewer's eyes, with a myopic composition that excludes the presence of the outside world. In the 1960s, however, windows were installed, and the composition changed to create a sense of spaciousness. The windows also show the buildings of Piazza Italiana, a characteristic of the "New Metaphysical Paintings" that De Chirico began working on around 1968, which integrate motifs from his past works.

Metaphysical Interior with the Hands of "David" 1968, Giorgio e Isa de Chirico Foundation © Fondazione Giorgio e Isa de Chirico, Roma © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024

The "Mannequin" section features a series of works that replace the human figure, a motif that had been given a privileged status in classical Western painting, with the faceless mannequin, treating it as a kind of object on the same level as other motifs. As the appearance of the mannequin coincides with the outbreak of World War I, it is said that the mannequin represents the lack of rationality of human beings that causes war, or human powerlessness against violence.

The Prophet, 1914-15, Museum of Modern Art, New York (James Thrall Soby Bequest) © Digital image, The Museum of Modern Art, New York / Scala, Firenze © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024
Metaphysical Muses, 1918, Castello di Rivoli Museo d'Arte Contemporanea, Rivoli-Turin, long-term loan from Fondazione Cerruti © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024

Mannequin plays a variety of roles, including muse, prophet, philosopher, and bride. Although she is depicted in an inorganic manner in her early masterpieces , The Prophet (1914-15) and The Metaphysical Muses (1918), it is noteworthy that as time went on she underwent an interesting transformation, becoming more fleshy and humanized under the influence of classicism.

Song of the South, circa 1930, Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti, Gallery of Modern Art © Gabinetto Fotografico delle Uffizi Gallerie © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024

After returning from metaphysical painting to classical painting, De Chirico returned to Paris in 1925 and interacted with Surrealist painters, turning his attention back to metaphysical painting and to new themes such as "Gladiators" and "Furniture of the Valley." Chapter 3 focuses on these developments in the late 1920s.

"Combat (Gladiator)" 1928-29, Novecento Museum © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024
On the right: Furniture for the Valley, 1927, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Trento and Rovereto (long-term loan from the LF Collection) © Archivio Fotografico e Mediateca Mart © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024

The following fourth chapter is titled "Return to Traditional Painting – From 'Return to Order' to 'Neo-Baroque'" and introduces works that demonstrate the results of his devotion to classical painting, which has been mentioned many times in this article. From around 1920, he studied Renaissance works by Titian and Raphael, and then in the 1940s, Baroque works by Rubens and Velázquez, and although he was criticized by the Surrealists, he incorporated their expressions, themes, and techniques into his own work.

Armor and Watermelon, 1924, UniCredit Art Collection © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024

This chapter features two bathing paintings. One is Reclining Bather (Alcmene Rest) (1932), which is based on a bathing painting painted in the latter years of the Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir, who was known at the time as the leading researcher of Renaissance classicism.

"Reclining Bather (Alcmene Rest)" 1932, National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, Rome © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024
"Women Bathing in a Landscape with a Red Fabric" 1945, Giorgio e Isa de Chirico Foundation © Fondazione Giorgio e Isa de Chirico, Roma © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024

The other, painted more than ten years later, is Bathers in a Landscape with a Red Cloth (1945), inspired by Baroque painting and its interpretations by Eugène Delacroix and Gustave Courbet. Although it has the same subject, the latter is more sensual overall and features dark, dense colors, showing a significant change in brushstrokes and style.

The final section, "New Metaphysical Painting," follows the development of De Chirico's work from the time he began working on metaphysical painting again in the ten years leading up to his death in 1978.

The Return of Odysseus, 1968, Giorgio e Isa de Chirico Foundation © Fondazione Giorgio e Isa de Chirico, Roma © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024

In his final years, De Chirico freely combined elements of his past works, such as squares, interiors, mannequins, mythological stories found in classical paintings, and even the sun and moon he had drawn in his illustrations, breaking new ground beyond mere rehash. These styles are called "neo-metaphysical paintings," and they are free of the melancholy and oppressive atmosphere found in the metaphysical paintings of the 1910s. All of them are light, cheerful, and somewhat playful, as if they have been deprived of the poison.

"The Prodigal Son" 1973, Giorgio e Isa de Chirico Foundation © Fondazione Giorgio e Isa de Chirico, Roma © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024
Gladiator in the Arena, 1975, Giorgio e Isa de Chirico Foundation © Fondazione Giorgio e Isa de Chirico, Roma © Giorgio de Chirico, by SIAE 2024

Unswayed by criticism from those around him, De Chirico viewed the avant-garde and the classics as not contradictory but capable of coexisting, and he repeatedly quoted and paid homage to his own work, presenting an original work worthy of being called the culmination of his artistic career.

Overview of the "De Chirico Exhibition"

venue Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Dates Saturday, April 27th, 2024 – Thursday, August 29th, 2024
Opening hours 9:30-17:30 (until 20:00 on Fridays) (entry until 30 minutes before closing)
Closed Days Mondays, July 9th (Tue) – July 16th (Tue)
*However, the office will be open on Monday, July 8th and Monday, August 12th (holiday).
Admission fee (tax included) Adults: 2,200 yen, university and vocational school students: 1,300 yen, ages 65 and over: 1,500 yen

*Reservations are required for specified dates and times on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and from August 20th (Tuesday).
*Free for high school students and younger.
* Free for those who have a Physical Disability Certificate, Love Certificate, Rehabilitation Certificate, Mental Disability Health and Welfare Certificate, or Atomic Bomb Survivor Health Certificate, and their accompanying person (up to one person).
*For further details, please check the official ticket page .

Organizer Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, The Asahi Shimbun Company
inquiry 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
Exhibition official website https://dechirico.exhibit.jp/

*The contents of this article are current as of the time of coverage. Please check the official website for the latest information.


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[Tokyo National Museum] Report on “Honen and the Pure Land”. Many treasures from Jodo sect temples are on display, including the national treasure “Hayaraigo” and an exceptional arhat painting.

Tokyo National Museum
Scenes from the “Honen and the Pure Land” exhibition venue

To mark the 850th anniversary of the founding of the Jodo sect, a special exhibition titled “Honen and the Pure Land” has begun at the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, Tokyo, where many treasures related to the founder of the sect, Honen, have been gathered from temples across the country. The exhibition will run until June 9, 2024.

*Some of the artworks on display will be changed during the exhibition. Please check the official exhibition website for details.

Entrance to “Honen and the Pure Land”

Originally developed in India and China, the belief in going to the Pure Land, a world free from suffering established in the west by Amida Buddha, is called “Jodo Buddhism” or “Jodo faith” in Japan and was adopted mainly by the Tendai sect’s Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei.

Honen (1133-1212), born at the end of the Heian period, a time when the age of the Latter Day of the Law was plagued by successive wars, natural disasters, and epidemics, studied Pure Land Buddhism on Mount Hiei, and in 1175 (Joan 5) founded the Jodo sect, which taught that by chanting “Namu Amida Butsu,” everyone can be equally saved by Amida Buddha and be reborn in the Pure Land.

“Namu Amida Butsu” means “I take refuge in Amida Tathagata.” The simple teaching of “Senshu Nembutsu,” which says that if you recite this six-character phrase (Nenbutsu) out loud, you will be able to attain paradise regardless of whether you have undergone rigorous training or good deeds, is so simple that it has gained the support of a wide range of people from aristocrats to uneducated commoners who are suffering from hardship, and it has grown into one of the major sects of Kamakura Buddhism. It has been passed down continuously to the present day.

This large-scale exhibition, held to commemorate the 850th anniversary of the founding of the Jodo sect in 2024, will survey the art and history of the Jodo sect, from its founding by Honen to its great development in the Edo period with the support of the Tokugawa Shogunate, through precious treasures, including national treasures and important cultural properties, held by Jodo sect temples and other institutions across the country .

The exhibition is divided into four chapters. Chapter 1, “Honen and His Times,” introduces the kind of person Honen was, his appearance, achievements, and ideas.

National Treasure “Illustrated Biography of Saint Honen” (part of volume 14) Kamakura period, 14th century Chion-in Temple, Kyoto Exhibition period: 4/16-5/12 *Scenes will be changed during the exhibition period

This exhibit features the Important Cultural Property “Senke Hongan Nembutsu Shu (Rosanji version),” which is the fundamental scripture of the Jodo sect that systematizes Honen’s philosophy and whose opening section even features calligraphy written by Honen himself; and the National Treasure “Honen Shonin Illustrated Biography,” a lengthy picture scroll spanning 48 volumes that can be said to be a culmination of the many biographies of Honen, containing not only the life of Honen from his birth to his death, but also the achievements of the nobles, samurai, and disciples who converted to the Jodo sect .

Important Cultural Property “Seated Statue of Saint Honen” Kamakura period, 14th century Nara, Taima-dera Temple Okuin Exhibition period: 4/16-5/12

The statue of Saint Honen Seated, the principal image of the Okuin sanctuary of Taimadera Temple in Nara, is a rare example of a sculpture of Honen made in the Middle Ages, and is said to show the figure of a relatively young man. The statue is well-built, with a gentle expression that seems to be slightly smiling. This laid-back friendliness is in keeping with the popularity of the Jodo sect, and it is truly symbolic that it is displayed right at the entrance to this exhibition.

Important Cultural Property “Seven Articles of Commandments” (part) Kamakura period, 1204 (first year of Genkyu) Nison-in Temple, Kyoto Exhibition period: 4/16-5/12

As the influence of the religious organization grew, some of them began to misinterpret the teachings and disrupt public morals, and the followers of Enryaku- ji Temple even filed a lawsuit to demand an end to Senshu Nembutsu. At that time, Honen had his disciples sign the Seven Prohibitions to encourage self-discipline. If you look closely, you will see that it also contains the signature of Shinran, the founder of Jodo Shinshu, when he was young.

“Sanguo Shaku” signs Shinran / Important Cultural Property “Seven Articles of Admonition” (part) Kamakura period, 1204 (first year of Genkyu) Nison-in Temple, Kyoto Exhibition period: 4/16-5/12
Chapter 2 exhibit: Bodhisattva masks, the three on the left are from the Kamakura period, 13th century, and the one on the right is from the Muromachi period, 16th century. Owned by Taima-dera Temple in Nara. On display throughout the year.

The highlight of Chapter 2, “The World of Amida Buddha,” which conveys the growing faith that spread to the common people through the many sculptures of Amida Nyorai that were imbued with the wishes of many people, is the National Treasure “Amida and the Twenty-five Bodhisattvas Raising Welcome,” which is housed in Chion-in Temple in Kyoto, the head temple of the Jodo sect of Buddhism, just like the previously introduced “Illustrated Biography of Honen Shonin.”

National Treasure “Amida and the Twenty-Five Bodhisattvas Arising (Early Arising)” Kamakura period, 14th century Chion-in Temple, Kyoto Exhibition period: 4/16-5/12

This work is known by the nickname “Hayaraigo” (Early Arrival) , and is featured in textbooks as a masterpiece of Kamakura-period Buddhist painting, so many people should be familiar with it. A Raigo-zu painting is one that depicts Amida Buddha, accompanied by bodhisattvas, descending on a cloud to take a dying person who is reciting the Nembutsu to the Pure Land, and the name “Hayaraigo” comes from the magnificent depiction of flying clouds in a diagonal composition that emphasizes the sense of speed as the water falls in a straight line from the waterfall. This type of design likely reflects the wishes of those who prayed for a swift arrival.

National Treasure “Amida and the Twenty-Five Bodhisattvas Arising (Early Arising)” (detail) Kamakura period, 14th century Chion-in Temple, Kyoto Exhibition period: 4/16-5/12

A three-year period beginning in 2019 saw the painting undergo extensive dismantling and repair, which included replacing the backing paper (reinforcing paper that is affixed directly to the back of the original painting), making the painting brighter and enhancing the landscape that gave rise to the three-dimensional expression of scenery that is characteristic of this painting, such as the blue color of the water’s surface and the deeply carved mountain slopes.

The National Treasure “Tsuzureori Taima Mandala,” a treasured principal image of Taima-dera Temple in Nara, a sacred place of Pure Land Buddhism, is also a must-see. This work was originally composed of the third chapter, but due to space constraints, it was displayed in the second chapter area.

National Treasure “Taisetsu Taima Mandala” China, Tang or Nara period, 8th century Taima-dera Temple, Nara Exhibition period: 4/16-5/6

This stunning four-meter-wide painting of the Pure Land depicts the contents of the Sutra of Contemplation of Infinite Life, one of the three great scriptures of Pure Land Buddhism. It is thought that the painting was created in China during the Tang Dynasty or in Japan in the 8th century during the Nara period, but there are no other examples from the 8th century created with such advanced techniques. This will be the first time it will be exhibited outside of Nara Prefecture.

“Taima Mandala” Kamakura period, 14th century Tokyo National Museum Exhibition period: 4/16-5/12

Unfortunately, most of the original colors have been lost, but this work attracted great faith during the Kamakura period by Honen’s disciple Shoku, and many copies were made. The same section also exhibits a copy of the Taima Mandala with clearly defined ink lines. Legend has it that the Tapestry Taima Mandala was woven in one night by an aristocratic girl named Chujohime with the help of Amida Buddha using lotus threads, and by viewing it together with the Taima Mandala, you may be able to experience a part of the mysticism that heightened the reverence of the people at the time.

Chapter 3 exhibit, in the center is the Important Cultural Property “Seated Statue of Shoko Shonin” Kamakura period, 13th century, owned by Zendo-ji Temple (Kurume City), Fukuoka. Exhibition period: 4/16-5/12

Chapter 3, “Honen’s Disciples and the Lineage of Buddhism,” traces the activities of his disciples who, after his death, worked tirelessly throughout the country, including in Chinzei (Kyushu), Kamakura, and Kyoto, to spread his teachings.

“The Final Nembutsu Hand-in-hand Mudra (Seigokurakuhon)” Kamakura period, 1228 (Antei 2), owned by Zendo-ji Temple (Kurume City), Fukuoka. Exhibition period: 4/16-5/12

There were many differences in approach among the disciples, such as the ideological construction of Senshu Nembutsu, the positioning of various practices within it, and ensuring the legitimacy of the religious organization. The exhibited work, “Matsudai Nembutsu Jushuin (Seigokurakuhon),” is said to be handwritten by Shoko, the founder of the Chinzei school, and was written to lament the situation in which dissent and different schools of thought were arising among his disciples, and to convey Honen’s true intentions to future generations. It makes you think about how difficult it is to protect and pass on a single teaching, even if it is as simple as Senshu Nembutsu.

Chapter 4 exhibit: “Eight Deities” by Yasunari and Matabei: Taishakuten, Jikokuten, Kongorikishi, and Mikkokurikishi, Edo period, 1621 (Genwa 7), Chion-in Temple, Kyoto, on display throughout the year

Shogei, the founder of the Jodo sect, established the foundations of the Kanto Jodo sect in Hitachi Province, and his disciple Shoso founded Zojoji Temple in Edo. The sect’s status was firmly established when Tokugawa Ieyasu, who had been a devout believer in Jodo Buddhism since the Matsudaira clan, designated Zojoji Temple as the family temple in Edo and Chion-in Temple as the family temple in Kyoto. Chapter 4, “Jodo Buddhism in the Edo Period,” traces the Jodo sect’s dramatic rise in popularity during the Edo period under the patronage of the shogun family and various feudal lords, through the large-scale treasures that were brought to Jodo sect temples.

Important Cultural Property “Tripitaka (Song edition)” China, Northern Song to Southern Song period, 12th century Collection of Zojoji Temple, Tokyo On display throughout the exhibition period *Screen changes will occur during the exhibition period

The three copies of the Tripitaka that can be viewed here – Song, Yuan, and Goryeo – are known as the “Three Great Treasures” and were confiscated by Ieyasu from temples in Yamato, Suo, and Omi provinces in exchange for their territories, and donated to Zojoji Temple.

The Tripitaka is a collection of over 5,000 volumes of Buddhist scriptures translated into Chinese, and in China, from the Northern Song Dynasty onwards, the Tripitaka was printed by woodblock printing as printing culture developed. Each published Tripitaka is a rare cultural asset, but it is said that there is no other example in the world of three copies held by a single temple in perfect condition. It is an extremely important book in cultural history that created the foundation for modern Buddhist studies.

Attributed to Tokugawa Ieyasu, “Daily Nembutsu” Edo period, 17th century, Tokyo National Museum, on full display

Though not flashy, what caught my eye was the “Daily Nembutsu” (Nenbutsu) that is said to have been written by Ieyasu himself. It is believed that in his later years, Ieyasu diligently copied out the sutra “Namu Amida Butsu” every day, praying for the atonement of his sins. From a distance, the name of Amida Buddha is densely written in six rows and 41 columns, so densely that it could be mistaken for some kind of pattern, and it is a little chilling as it shows just how obsessive he was. However, upon closer inspection, like a game of spot the difference, there are only two places where the characters “Namu Amida Ieyasu” are written instead of “Namu Amida Butsu”. It is unclear why it was written in this way, but perhaps it was just playfulness, or perhaps there was some other deeper intention behind it.

Kano Kazunobu’s “The 500 Arhats” Edo period, 19th century Zojoji Temple, Tokyo On display throughout the exhibition period *Screen changes will occur during the exhibition period

The highlight of this exhibition can be said to be the 500 Arhats from Zojoji Temple , which Kano Kazunobu (1816-63), a painter from the late Edo period who is said to have been largely self-taught before entering the Kano school. The 500 Arhats are a masterpiece that he worked on over a period of about 10 years as the culmination of his career.

Rakan is an honorific title given to enlightened saints among the disciples of Shakyamuni, and they have been worshipped as beings with the role of saving people. The 500 Rakan are the 500 Rakan who participated in the First Assembly to compile Buddhist scriptures after Shakyamuni’s death, and from the mid-Edo period onwards, wood carvings and stone statues of the 500 Rakan began to be actively made all over Japan.

Kano Kazunobu’s “Five Hundred Arhats” (23rd and 24th scrolls) Edo period, 19th century Zojoji Temple, Tokyo Exhibition period: 23rd and 24th scrolls are on display from April 16th to May 12th
Kano Kazunobu’s “500 Arhats” (part of scroll 64) Edo period, 19th century Zojoji Temple, Tokyo Exhibition period: scroll 64 is from April 16th to May 12th

This work is an exceptional piece in terms of size, number, and impact, with 500 arhats literally painted in groups of five across a total of 100 scrolls. The highly distinctive scenes of the arhats’ training and life, the six realms of existence, disasters that befall people, and their salvation through arhat are depicted dramatically in brilliant colors, without being limited by the framework of Japanese painting, and using Western shading and perspective techniques. There is not a single part that is relaxed, even in the four corners, and I was overwhelmed by the amount of information and the passion that comes from it.

Of the total 100 paintings, 24 (12 in the first and second half of the exhibition) will be exhibited at the venue.

“Group of Buddha in Nirvana” Edo period, 17th century, Honenji Temple, Kagawa Prefecture, on display throughout the year

The last thing we encounter at the venue is the “Group Statues of Buddha in Nirvana” from Honenji Temple in Kagawa. This work depicts the scene of Shakyamuni’s nirvana in three dimensions using a group of statues, and is made up of a life-size statue of Shakyamuni in Nirvana, surrounded by a total of 82 figures, including lamenting arhats, the Eight Deities of Heavenly Dragons, and animals. Matsudaira Yorishige, the first lord of Takamatsu Domain, invited a Buddhist sculptor from Kyoto to build this work, and there is no other example of such a large group statue of Nirvana.

“Group of Buddha in Nirvana” Edo period, 17th century, Honenji Temple, Kagawa Prefecture, on display throughout the year

They are usually placed in the Sanbutsudo (Nirvana Hall) of Honenji Temple, but 26 of them are on display at this exhibition and are open to the public as photo spots.

After Tokyo, the exhibition will travel to the Kyoto National Museum and the Kyushu National Museum.

 

Overview of “Honen and the Pure Land”

Dates Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 – Sunday, June 9th, 2024
venue Tokyo National Museum Heiseikan
Opening hours 9:30-17:00 (Last admission 30 minutes before closing)
closing day Monday, May 7th (Tuesday)
*However, the museum will be open on April 29th (Monday, national holiday) and May 6th (Monday, holiday).
Admission fee Adults: 2,100 yen, University students: 1,300 yen, High school students: 900 yen

*No prior reservations are required for this exhibition.
* Free for junior high school students and younger, people with disabilities and one caregiver. Please present your student ID or disability certificate when entering the building.
For further details, please see the official exhibition ticket page .

Organizer Tokyo National Museum, NHK, NHK Promotion, Yomiuri Shimbun
inquiry 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
Exhibition official website https://tsumugu.yomiuri.co.jp/honen2024-25/

*The contents of this article are current as of the time of coverage. Please check the official exhibition website for the latest information.


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[Report] The National Museum of Western Art opens its first contemporary art exhibition, “Could this be a room where future artists sleep?”

National Museum of Western Art
Exhibition view

The National Museum of Western Art in Ueno, Tokyo, has opened its first-ever contemporary art exhibition , “Has this become a room where future artists can sleep? ──The National Museum of Western Art’s 65th Anniversary Self-Question | Questions for Contemporary Artists.” The exhibition will run until May 12, 2024.

■ Participating Artists
Yuki Iiyama, Yoichi Umezu, Mai Endo, Tsuyoshi Ozawa, Nodoka Odawara, Natsuko Sakamoto, Hiroshi Sugito, Ryudai Takano, Kyo Takemura, Koki Tanaka, Toeko Tatsuno, Elena Tutacchikova, Rei Naito, Tadayoshi Nakabayashi, Yurie Nagashima, Purple Room (Yoichi Umezu + Hiromi Ando + Yoshiko Tsuzukihashi + Asako Hoshikawa + Saki Wakimoto), Rintaro Fuse, Hisao Matsuura, Futoshi Miyagi, Eboshi Yuasa, Kanji Yumisashi

Tsuyoshi Ozawa’s Exhibition
Rintaro Fuse “Dice Museum Project” (2024)
Parplume Exhibition
Mai Endo, “Omega and Alpha Ritual – National Museum of Western Art ver.” (2024)

This is an unprecedented attempt to exhibit contemporary art on a large scale at the National Museum of Western Art, which has mainly collected and exhibited “Western art” up to the first half of the 20th century. At a press conference held prior to the event, it was stated that the purpose was not to broaden the horizons of understanding the collection by displaying works from the museum alongside contemporary works, nor to attract the interest of those with a strong interest in contemporary art.

Looking back at its history, we can see that the museum was expected to serve as an inspiring place to give birth to and nurture the artists of the future. Just as the Matsukata Collection, which formed the basis of the museum, was founded by Matsukata Kojiro, who wanted to expose Japanese painters to authentic Western art and encourage their creative endeavors.

However, until now, no serious question has been asked as to whether the museum has actually been able to become such a space.

This exhibition confronts this fact, posing the question of how the museum and its collection are related to contemporary expression and what role they can play in the emergence and meaning of contemporary artworks to 21 artists across genres, and looks at their responses through their works. It also introduces about 70 masterpieces of Western art from the museum’s collection, including works by Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Maurice Denis, making it a highly interesting exhibition.

For this reason, many of the artists exhibiting in this project are also active in fields such as criticism, and the amount of text available in the venue is much larger than in typical contemporary art exhibitions, with some works even consisting of the text itself.

Exhibition by Tadayoshi Nakabayashi

Artists have a variety of approaches to the question and concerns they face.

For example, in Chapter 1, “What kind of magnetic field of memory has this become?”, Nakabayashi Tadayoshi, Naito Rei, and Matsuura Toshio juxtapose their own works with those of their predecessors in the museum’s collection, such as Cezanne and Denis, who inspired Matsuura Toshio, and Odilon Redon and Rodolphe Bresdin, whose historical lineage is linked to Nakabayashi Tadayoshi’s own expression. After defining the museum as a magnetic field in which the memories of artists who lived/are living in various eras and regions coexist and intertwine with each other, the museum examines through the works what kind of magnetic field the museum’s collection forms.

Exhibition of Toshio Matsuura / From left: Paul Cézanne’s Bridge and Weir at Pontoise (1881), Toshio Matsuura’s Cyprus (2022), and Toshio Matsuura’s Green Territory (2024)

In Chapter 2, “What do you think about Japan having a ‘National Museum of Western Art’?”, Odawara Nodoka ‘s new installation “Sculpture/Overcoming Modernity – National Museum of Western Art Edition” features Auguste Rodin’s sculpture “The Thinker,” which is also the symbol of the museum, removed from its pedestal and lying on its side on a bright red carpet, creating a very eye-catching piece.

Exhibition at Odawara Nodoka / From left: Auguste Rodin’s “The Thinker” (1881-82), Nishimitsu Makiyoshi’s “Destruction” (1960s), Auguste Rodin’s “The Age of Bronze” (1877 [original model])
The back side was completely visible, and many visitors sat down to take a good look at The Thinker, knowing that they would probably never have another opportunity to see it in this condition again. When The Thinker tipped over, the exquisite comfort of the cushion made it look as if he had fallen asleep, which was somewhat humorous.

Exhibition at Odawara Nodoka / Auguste Rodin “The Thinker” (1881-82)

Odawara was particularly interested in the historical “distortion” that the museum inevitably underwent as Japan modernized, and the fact that, unlike Western art museums, it is built on ground prone to earthquakes.

This new installation includes elements such as The Thinker, who collapsed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, the Japanese painting Kishaku by Nishimitsu Mankichi, who drafted the Suiheisha Declaration during the Buraku Liberation Movement in 1922 and later converted to nationalism while in prison, an object modeling a five-story pagoda that collapses and is rebuilt every time there is an earthquake, and a seismic isolation platform developed exclusively by the museum. The installation presents a complex pose of the ideological issues of Japan that Odawara considers to be earthquakes and ideological conversion, overlapping “overturning” with “conversion.”

 

In chapter 4, “Can this be a place for diverse lives/sexualities?”, Takano Ryudai recreates the space of human “life” within the museum’s exhibition room, which aims to be a tasteless, neutral place.

Ryudai Takano’s Exhibition

What would it look like if masterpieces that are out of reach for individuals were displayed side by side in an average modern room? With this in mind, Takano exhibited paintings by Gustave Courbet, Vincent van Gogh, and Lucas Cranach the Elder, sculptures by Emile-Antoine Bourdelle, and his own photographs from the museum’s collection, in a space made entirely of IKEA furniture.

Takano considers IKEA products to be the pinnacle of modernist design, eliminating decorative elements that indicate authority and enabling people to live simple and rich lives. Anyone would immediately feel uncomfortable seeing Courbet or Bourdelle, who should be found in a prestigious art museum, placed in a setting that would never appear in our everyday spaces filled with affordable fashion. The muscular Hercules sculpture, which overly expresses a certain type of “man is strong,” would be admired for its imposing grandeur if it were in the front garden of the museum, but it is a complete mismatch in this smart room and appears to be at odds with modern sensibilities.

Ryudai Takano’s Exhibition

The way the works appear changes as the psychological distance becomes closer, but at the same time, I also realized the difficulty of appreciating and judging the value of the work “only” as it is, without being influenced by the exhibition space.

 

Although the museum is an institution that wants to preserve works in an immortal state and leave them for the future in perpetuity, works as materials are inevitably subject to slow change over time. Chapter 5, “Is this the place where works live?”, focuses on Claude Monet’s Water Lilies, Reflections of Willows, from the former Matsukata Collection, which was discovered in a heavily damaged state at the Louvre in 2016 and then moved to the museum’s collection.

In his work “Restored CM’s 1916 Water Lilies,” he imaginatively supplemented the missing parts of a gigantic oil painting measuring 199.3 cm in height and 424.4 cm in width, which had only undergone minimal conservation treatment, with a translucent cloth and silk thread, creating a double-layered structure.

Takemura Kyo, “Restored Commercial Water Lilies from 1916” (2023–2024), silk thread, silk organza, artist’s collection

Takemura is critical of excessive restoration, which overwrites works created at one time with the “words” thought by people of different eras. In this work, the lost memories of the past are delicately retranslated using reversibly unraveling silk thread, “like translating Western paintings into Japanese,” thus practicing a method of preservation that gives the work a radiance while acknowledging its loss as it is and leaving it for the future.

Takemura Kyo, “Restored Commercial Water Lilies of 1916” (detail) (2023-2024), silk thread, silk organza, artist’s collection

The final chapter, Chapter 7, “In Search of Unknown Arrangements,” simply poses works by Sugito Hiroshi, Umetsu Yoichi, Sakamoto Natsuko , and Tatsuno Toeko , who passed away in 2014, in the same space as highly experimental paintings by Claude Monet, Paul Signac, Jackson Pollock, and others of the past, in an attempt to consider what is known as Japanese “contemporary art” and measure the scope of its experimental nature.

Chapter 7 Exhibition
Exhibition in Chapter 7: From left: Toeko Tatsuno, Work 85-P-5 (1985), Jackson Pollock, Number 8, 1951, Black Stream (1951)
Exhibition in Chapter 7: From left: Paul Signac’s “Port of Saint-Tropez” (1901-02), Natsuko Sakamoto’s “Entrance” (2023)

Jun Shindo, a curator at the National Museum of Western Art and the organizer of this exhibition, said, “To be frank, I was left with the strong feeling that the National Museum of Western Art has not been a place that can inspire today’s cutting-edge artists. Some of the participating artists in this exhibition were inspired by the museum and its collection, but this was because the opportunity was provided for them.

For this reason, in the final chapter, rather than asking how the NMWA’s collection has/could inspire artists living today, he explained his intention by saying, “I wanted to ask how the works of today’s painters can compete with works of the past. I hope that this will bring to light the similarities and differences in the mutual concerns of artists across the ages.”


Shindo also said, “I expect there will be a lot of criticism of my curatorial approach,” but rather than expecting various voices to be raised, I get the impression that he is actively seeking criticism. What message did the participating artists send about the National Museum of Western Art and its collection? How will this affect the Japanese contemporary art world? I hope you will visit the exhibition and take a sharp look at the whole picture.

Overview of “Has this become a place where future artists can rest? ──The National Museum of Western Art’s 65th Year Questions | Questions to Contemporary Artists”

Dates March 12th (Tue) – May 12th (Sun) 2024
venue National Museum of Western Art, Special Exhibition Room
Opening hours 9:30-17:30 (9:30-20:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, April 28th (Sunday), April 29th (Monday, national holiday), May 5th (Sunday, national holiday) and May 6th (Monday, national holiday))
*Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.
closing day Monday, Tuesday, May 7th
*However, the museum will be open on April 29th (Monday, national holiday), April 30th (Tuesday), and May 6th (Monday, holiday).
Admission fee Adults: 2,000 yen, university students: 1,300 yen, high school students: 1,000 yen

* Free for junior high school students and younger * Free for people with physical or mental disabilities and one accompanying person For further details, please check the official website.

Organizer National Museum of Western Art
inquiry 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
Official exhibition page https://www.nmwa.go.jp/jp/exhibitions/2023revisiting.html

*The contents of this article are current as of the time of coverage. Please check the official exhibition website for the latest information.

Article provided by: Kokosil Ueno


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[Ueno Royal Museum of Art] Venue report for the 2020 Taito Ward exhibition of works by people with disabilities, “Exhibition in the Forest.” 254 entries, expanding the circle of joy involved in art

Ueno Royal Museum
“Exhibition in the Forest” Venue Scene

From March 6th to March 10th, 2024, the Ueno Royal Museum held the 2020 Taito Ward Exhibition of Works by People with Disabilities, “Exhibition in the Forest.”

*The notation of materials used in the work is based on the request of the artist (sender).

“Exhibition in the Forest” Venue Scene

Among people with disabilities, there are many who have psychological hurdles that make it difficult for them to publish their work, or who have never been involved in creative activities in the first place. “Exhibition in the Forest” is a collaboration between Taito City and Taito Ward that aims to give such people the opportunity to exhibit their works in art museums, allowing them to learn the joy of engaging in art independently and the joy of having someone recognize their work. This is an exhibition co-sponsored and planned by the Ueno Royal Museum. This is the third year the event has been held, and admission is free.

The exhibitors were people with disabilities who live, study, or work in Taito City, or who use facilities or organizations for people with disabilities in the city, and a total of 254 works were collected, an increase from last year’s 214 works.

Taito Ward Kinryu Elementary School《Midnight Clown》 Drawing Paper

The first thing that greeted visitors upon entering the venue was a colorful collection of works called “Midnight Clowns” created by children from Kinryu Elementary School. I created a clown by cutting out the desired shape from colored construction paper that resembled a marble pattern. There is a kind-looking clown who seems to be trying to make you laugh, but there is also a scary-looking clown holding a knife. Even though the basic model was the same, each clown image was very unique, and each one was full of eye-catching power, making me excited and looking forward to future exhibitions.

Venue scenery
Taito Asakusa Junior High School F.M《My dog “Haru”》Masking tape
M《Etopirika》Craypas

Although there is a rule that works must be two-dimensional works that can be displayed on a wall, the subject matter and materials are free, so you can enjoy a rich variety of expressions such as paintings using watercolor, acrylic, colored pencils, etc., tear-paper paintings, origami, clay, calligraphy, etc. This is also the charm of this exhibition.

Venue scenery
Gasei Yamagami《Beauty Salon》Acrylic, oil-based pen
Ito:: Large work 《Existence of Life》Acrylic paint, stone powder clay, board panel (mixed media)

Prizes will also be awarded to works judged to be particularly outstanding at this exhibition. This year’s judges were Yukazu Kabayama, president of Musashino Art University, painter Kenichi Yuma, and calligrapher Masanobu Fukino.

This year, there were many outstanding works, and in addition to last year’s Taito Ward Mayor’s Award, Ueno Royal Museum Award, Excellence Award, and Honorable Mention, we have newly established a Special Jury Award. In addition, works that unfortunately did not win will be introduced as winning works.

Taito Ward Mayor’s Award, Maiko Morimura《Mori》acrylic paint, colored pencil, epoxy resin, etc.

Maiko Morimura’s “Sakari” was selected for the Taito Ward Mayor’s Award.

Artist ‘s comment: The kanji “forest” means “the gathering of trees,” and through this work “Sakari,” the feelings of people who were usually estranged come together and are renewed with a joyful feeling. I would be happy if you could find something that will continue your journey in life.

This work, which was described by the judges as “never boring to watch” and “like opening a treasure box,” is exactly as the title suggests, with a variety of elements blending together to create an exquisite work. It is a masterpiece packed with detail with a sense of elegance.

Taito Ward Mayor’s Award, Maiko Morimura《Mori》acrylic paint, colored pencil, epoxy resin, etc.

A mysterious world in which birds and eggs symbolically appear, which cannot be determined from any era or country, is expanded with a three-dimensional effect by creating layers of epoxy resin. A variety of materials are used, and if you look closely you can see that the green tree-like part in the upper right corner is made from a plastic bag closure that closes a bread bag. They displayed outstanding originality.

 

Ueno Royal Museum Prize, Katsuhiro Shimada “Future” watercolor pen, magic pen
Excellence Award, After School Day Service Baku’s Egg “Spring Has Come” Paints, crayons, yarn
Honorable Mention, Tomodachi “Hibari” ink soup
Special Jury Award, Candy Junko《Three Crosses》Pentel Crayon

As I was touring the venue, I noticed that many of the names of people who had created memorable works at the previous event were also there this time. When I looked into it, I found out that Maiko Morimura, who won the Taito Mayor’s Award, also won the Ueno Royal Museum Award at the first edition.

When we spoke to the person in charge of this exhibition, he said, “This is the third time the exhibition has been held, and there are already some “familiar” artists appearing. “Some people have sent us works with different approaches, and I’m happy to think that this exhibition has motivated them to create,” she says with a smile.

Honorable Mention: Hirotaka Hiroki《One☆Shot》Acrylic paint, drawing paper/Last year, Hirotaka Hiroki won the Taito Mayor’s Award for his colored pencil work, but this year he was awarded an honorable mention for his paper-cutting work.He is so versatile.

As part of Taito City’s “Arts Project for People with Disabilities,” art instructors are dispatched to facilities for people with disabilities in the city to hold art workshops. Recently, more and more facilities have heard of the exhibition’s reputation and are asking us to hold a workshop at their facility, so we feel that the exhibition is steadily becoming more well-known. It’s called.

“It’s a great motivation for us to see all the facilities that participated in the workshop come to the exhibition as a group and share their joy,” said the person in charge.

desk calendar

In addition, starting this year, a desk calendar has been produced that uses the award-winning works as designs. (This year’s calendar features award-winning works from the previous and two previous years)

It is said that the award-winning works will be featured in next year’s calendar, and increasing the number of opportunities for their works to be seen in this way will lead to even greater motivation among the artists. Among the regular artists who improve their skills and publish new works, some may one day make a breakthrough in the art world, so I’d like to keep an eye on them in the future.

Some of the award-winning works will be exhibited at the Art Gallery on the 1st floor of Taito Ward Office from March 21st (Thursday) to April 19th (Friday), 2024, so if you are interested, please come and visit us. please look.

Overview of 2020 Taito Ward Exhibition of Works by People with Disabilities “Exhibition in the Forest”

Period March 6, 2024 (Wednesday) – March 10, 2024 (Sunday)
venue Ueno Royal Museum
Admission fee free
WEB https://www.city.taito.lg.jp/bunka_kanko/culturekankyo/events/shougaiarts/r5morinonakanotenran.html

*The content of the article is as of the date of coverage (March 6, 2024).

 


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[Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum] Interview report on “Impressionism: From Monet to America, Worcester Art Museum Collection”. Experience the diverse expressions of Impressionism that spread across the ocean

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

 

2024 marks the 150th anniversary of the first Impressionist exhibition held in Paris. The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is currently holding an exhibition called “Impressionism: From Monet to America – Collection of the Worcester Art Museum” that traces the impact and influence that Impressionism, which overturned the traditions of Western art, had on Europe and America, centering on the collection of the Worcester Art Museum in the United States . The exhibition period is until April 7, 2024.

Entrance/Exhibition view of “Impressionism: From Monet to America: Collection of the Worcester Art Museum,” Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, 2024
“Impressionism from Monet to America: Worcester Art Museum collection” installation view, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, 2024

The Worcester Museum of Art, located near Boston, USA, opened in 1898 and has a collection of approximately 40,000 items, ranging from classical art from ancient Egypt, ancient Greece and Rome, to contemporary art from around the world. Among them, he actively collects Impressionism as contemporary art at the time. It has been an important part of the collection since its opening in 1898.

This exhibition focuses on the innovation of Impressionism, which overturned the traditions of Western art, and its global spread. The museum’s Impressionist collection, most of which are visiting Japan for the first time , includes not only well-known French Impressionists such as Monet and Renoir , but also American Impressionists such as Childe Hassam, who have rarely been introduced to Japan. This exhibition will introduce approximately 70 oil paintings by over 40 artists, including some of the most representative artists .

The exhibition consists of 5 chapters. In Chapter 1, “Challenging Tradition,” the Barbizon school and Realist painters, who found beauty and new subjects in the familiar landscapes and nature of their homeland of France, introduce traditional paintings, with religious and historical paintings at their peak. Introducing the movement that was the forerunner of Impressionism, which occurred in the first half of the 19th century, and which overturned the hierarchy of art.

Thomas Cole, View of the River Arno, near Florence, 1837, Worcester Art Museum collection
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, The Valley of Happiness, 1873, Worcester Art Museum collection
From left: Gustave Courbet, Woman and Cat, 1864, Worcester Art Museum collection; Julien Dupre, Hay Making, 1886, Worcester Art Museum collection

At the same time, interest in the country’s magnificent natural beauty increased in the United States, and American-style landscapes became popular. In this chapter, you can compare the rise of landscape painting on both sides of the Atlantic.

Winslow Homer, Winter Shore, 1892, Worcester Art Museum collection

Winslow Homer , a leading American painter of the late 19th century, incorporated plein air painting as an essential element of his work even before the advent of French Impressionism. “Winter Coast” (1892) is a work from the latter half of his career, when he was focusing on depicting the sea and the people confronting it, and his intuitive and bold brushwork depicts the rough waves crashing on the coast of Maine. used to show Homer’s impressionistic side.

Camille Pissarro, Dieppe Dock Duquesne and Berigny, Cloudy, 1902, Worcester Art Museum collection

Chapter 2, “Paris and the Impressionist Painters,” features Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and Pierre-Auguste, who departed from the tradition of the academy and went outdoors to depict the world as it appeared to them with bright colors and bold brushwork. – Exhibits works by members of the first Impressionist exhibition, such as Renoir. In addition, you can also see works by Mary Cassatt, the only American female painter to participate in subsequent Impressionist exhibitions, and works by Childe Hassam, who has been described as the “American Monet,” while studying in Paris.

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Ambroise Vollard as a bullfighter, 1917, Nippon Television Network Corporation collection
Mary Cassatt, Reine Lefebvre holding a naked baby (Mother and Child), 1902-03, Worcester Art Museum collection
Childe Hassam, Flower Picking in a French Garden, 1888, Worcester Art Museum collection

Monet’s Water Lilies (1908), introduced in the same chapter, is one of the highlights of this exhibition. Although it is an Impressionist landscape painting, with water lilies losing their outline as if blending into the pond, trees reflected in the water, and fantastic colors, there are signs of the abstract expression that became noticeable in his later works. It is a work.

Claude Monet, Water Lilies, 1908, Worcester Art Museum collection

Monet spent the latter half of his life in Cyverny, a suburb of Paris, where he continued to paint over 250 water lilies floating in the “water garden” he created. This work is one of the Water Lilies series exhibited at Galerie Durand-Ruel in Paris in 1909, and was purchased directly from the gallery by the Worcester Art Museum the following year. Today, Water Lilies are housed in the collections of various museums, but the Worcester Art Museum was actually the first museum in the world to purchase Monet’s Water Lilies.

Exhibition of letters/“Impressionism: From Monet to America, Worcester Art Museum collection” installation view, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, 2024

At the venue, a copy of the letters exchanged between the museum and the art dealer regarding the purchase of this work will also be introduced, including vivid correspondence using letters and telegrams, such as the first director’s efforts to persuade the board of directors and extend the payment deadline. I was able to find out.

Anders Leonard Thorne, Opal, 1891, Worcester Art Museum collection

Chapter 3, “International Spread,” discusses how John Singer Sargent of America, Anders Leonard Sohn of Sweden, and Alfred Stevens of Belgium took the essence of Impressionism gained in Paris back to their home countries and applied it to their artistic practices. , exhibiting works by Japanese painters such as Seiki Kuroda and Keiichiro Kume.

On the left: John Singer Sargent, Catherine Chase Pratt, 1890, Worcester Art Museum collection
From left: Keiichiro Kume, Picking Apples, 1892, Kume Museum of Art collection; Keiichiro Kume, Autumn View, 1895, Kume Museum of Art collection
Toyosaku Saito, Landscape, circa 1912, Koriyama City Museum of Art collection

Many of them are not complete imitations of the style of French Impressionism, but are uniquely sublimated while merging with the culture and society of various regions, and are popular among painters who were not involved with Impressionism or who had never visited France. It tells us that it spread and developed in a variety of ways.

The highlight of this exhibition is Chapter 4, “American Impressionism,” which introduces how Impressionism was received as it spread internationally, especially in the United States.

In the mid-1880s, European Impressionism became popular among American art dealers and collectors, and many American painters went to France to meet the demand. Critics wanted young painters to discover “the beauty of their native America, away from European subjects,” so subjects that felt American, such as New England countryside and modernizing urban landscapes, continued to be preferred. I did.

John Henry Twackman, Waterfall, circa 1890, Worcester Art Museum collection
Joseph H. Greenwood, Apple Orchard, 1903, Worcester Art Museum collection

Childe Hassam , who also appears in Chapter 2, was the one who was the first to incorporate the Impressionist style he had learned locally into his productions and spread it throughout the United States through summer schools and artist colonies.

Born in Boston, Hassam came into contact with Impressionist works during his first trip to Paris in 1883, and studied abroad there from 1886 to 1889. After returning to Japan, he settled in New York, where he achieved success and became one of the leading Impressionist painters in America. In this chapter, three works with different themes are displayed in chronological order, and together with Chapter 2, Picking Flowers in a French Garden (1888), you can trace the changes in his painting style and interests.

Childe Hassam, Columbus Boulevard, Rainy Day, 1885, Worcester Art Museum collection

In “Columbus Boulevard, Rainy Day” (1885), which depicts Boston’s rainy thoroughfares in muted colors and soft brush strokes, the influence of Impressionism can be felt in the depiction of the hazy atmosphere of the city in the distance and the glossy light of the pavement. You can

Childe Hassam, Silph’s Rock, Appledore Island, 1907, Worcester Art Museum collection

Silph’s Rock, Appledore Island (1907), created after studying abroad in Paris and reminiscent of Monet’s cliff landscape paintings, has a drastically different touch, skillfully depicting rock surfaces and waves by changing the direction of the elongated brushstrokes. I am. Based on the idea that the scenery is constantly changing even in the same place, this work is one of the works that vividly depicts the scenery of Appledore Island from various perspectives and situations, using an approach similar to Monet’s series of works.

Childe Hassam, Breakfast Room, Winter Morning, New York, 1911, Worcester Art Museum collection

In “Breakfast Room, Winter Morning, New York” (1911), curtains are placed to avoid the hustle and bustle of New York, which is transforming into a modern metropolis with the construction of skyscrapers and the proliferation of automobiles, and depicts the sophisticated middle and upper class. Focuses on city life. Since 1909, Hassam has been working on the Window series, which depicts a woman alone in a room, like this one. The skyscraper depicted behind the curtain is thought to be Manhattan’s Flatiron Building, celebrated as a symbol of New York’s modern architecture, and is a clever expression of Americanity.

On the left is Edmund Charles Tarbell, Venetian Blind, 1898, Worcester Art Museum.

Edmund Charles Tarbell was an important figure in the Boston art world who had so many followers that the term “Turbellite” was coined, and as an art teacher he taught his students based on the Impressionism he learned in Paris. It spread the expression styles unique to the region.

Venetian Blind (1898) has an Impressionist feel to it due to its light and rich colors, but its focus on traditional forms and depiction of details is characteristic of a Boston school painter. The dramatic contrast of light and shadow created by illuminating the scene with light shining through the blinds was impressive, similar to the chiaroscuro technique of Baroque paintings typified by Rembrandt.

Paul Signac, Golf Juan, 1896, Worcester Art Museum collection

The final section , Chapter 5, “In Search of Unseen Landscapes,” focuses on Paul Signac, who adopted a pointillism technique based on optics and color theory, and Georges, who became the founder of Cubism after becoming devoted to Fauvism. This exhibition displays works by painters such as Braque, who continued to explore new forms of painting after the impact of Impressionism.

Georges Braque, Olive Trees, 1907, Worcester Art Museum collection
From left: Max Sleevogt, Self-portrait in Gotramstein’s Garden, 1910, Worcester Art Museum collection; Lovis Corinth, Before the Mirror, 1912, Worcester Art Museum collection

George Innes and Dwight William Tryon are representative painters of the “tonalism” painting style that was popular in America at the end of the 19th century. While Impressionism was obsessed with bold colors and vision, Tonalism emphasized the use of muted tones such as gray and blue to depict tranquility, emotional atmosphere, and the invisible.

George Innes, Forest Pond, 1892, Worcester Art Museum collection

A follower of the Swedish mystic Emanuel Swedenborg, Innes’s later work took on an increasingly metaphysical bent. The misty atmospheric expressions seen in Forest Pond (1892) are said to depict spiritual landscapes that simultaneously represent reality and the divine world, the visible and the invisible.

Tryon, on the other hand, transforms the rural landscape of South Dartmouth, Massachusetts into a mysterious utopia filled with mystery through the gentle use of paint and the delicate brilliance of light in Entrance to Autumn (1908-09). I’m letting you do it.

Dwight William Tryon, Autumn Entrance, 1908-09, Worcester Art Museum collection

For the American people, who were still reeling from the effects of the Civil War, these invisible emotional scenes of Tonalism provided spiritual comfort.

DeWitt Parshall, Hermit Creek Canyon, 1910-16, Worcester Museum of Art

“Impressionism: From Monet to America – Collection of the Worcester Art Museum” will be held until Sunday, April 7, 2024, introducing Impressionism from a global perspective, which was born in Paris and changed the common sense of beauty and freed painters from strict rules. . This is a valuable opportunity to enjoy the charm of Impressionism from countries other than France, mainly America, which has not been introduced much in Japan until now. Many of the works will be shown for the first time in Japan, so please don’t miss out on this opportunity.

There were also many photo spots available.

Overview of “Impressionism: From Monet to America: Worcester Art Museum Collection”

Period Saturday, January 27, 2024 – Sunday, April 7, 2024
venue Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Opening hours 9:30-17:30, Fridays until 20:00 (Last entry is 30 minutes before closing)
Closed days Monday, February 13th (Tuesday)
*However, the office will be open on February 12th (Monday, holiday), March 11th (Monday), and March 25th (Monday).
Viewing fee (tax included) General 2,200 yen, University/vocational school students 1,300 yen, 65 and over 1,500 yen

*On Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and after April 2nd (Tuesday), reservations are required for specific dates and times (admission is possible if there is space on the day)
*Free for high school students and under.
For other details, please check the exhibition official website.

Sponsored by Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Nippon Television Network, Nippon TV Benz, BS Nippon Television, Yomiuri Shimbun
inquiry 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
Exhibition official website https://worcester2024.jp

*The contents of the article are as of the time of reporting. Please check the official website for the latest information.


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A profound sense of beauty discovered by Hon’ami Koetsu.
[Tokyo National Museum] Special Exhibition “The Macrocosm of Hon’ami Koetsu” (~3/10) Preview Report

Tokyo National Museum
National Treasure Funabashi Maki-e Inkstone Box by Hon’ami Koetsu Edo period 17th century Tokyo National Museum collection

Koetsu Hon’ami lived in an era of war, excelled in the arts, and created innovative works.

As the title suggests, the special exhibition to be held at the Heiseikan of the Tokyo National Museum, “The Macrocosm of Hon’ami Koetsu,” shines a light on his faith and inner world through a number of works.

This article reports on the press preview held the day before the event.

Who is Hon’ami Koetsu?

Hon’ami Koetsu , who was active in the early Edo period, was born into a prestigious family of Japanese sword appraisers, and was an artist who had a great influence on later Japanese culture.
Not only was he highly regarded by the Tokugawa shogunate and feudal lords for his excellent skill in making swords, which was his family trade, but he was also known as a calligrapher (master calligrapher), and was also known for his skills in pottery and lacquer art. He was involved in a variety of forms, including publishing, and left behind excellent works for future generations.

“A person who has been flattered all his life and is completely embarrassed” and “a stranger” (“Hon’ami Gyojoki”)
Koetsu, who was praised for his deep faith and sparkling spirit, continues to receive high acclaim, with many of the exquisite pieces he created being designated as national treasures and important cultural properties.

Approaching the aesthetic sense of the eccentric Koetsu Hon’ami

Exhibition hall scenery
National Treasure 《Sword unsigned Masamune (famous Kanze Masamune)》 Soshu Masamune Kamakura period 14th century Tokyo National Museum collection
Powerful plaques created by Koetsu, who was known as a mailbox, are lined up.
Important Cultural Property 《Raden sutra box with flower arabesque design》 by Hon’ami Koetsu Edo period 17th century Kyoto, Honpoji collection
The 8K video “The Cosmos of Hon’ami Koetsu” approaches Koetsu’s world of beauty through four works ©NHK

This exhibition is

Chapter 1 The Hon’ami Family’s Household Work and the Lotus Faith – The Source of Koetsu’s Art
Chapter 2 Utaihon and Koetsu Makie – Explosive words and forms
Chapter 3 Koetsu’s brush strokes and letterforms – virtuosity in two-dimensional space
Chapter 4 Koetsu Tea Bowl – Earthen Sword

This chapter allows us to explore Koetsu Hon’ami’s aesthetic sense through a number of exquisite works.

In addition to Koetsu’s own calligraphy and pottery, the museum exhibits lacquer work created by craftsmen who gathered together under the same faith, as well as works created in response to the social conditions of the time. Furthermore, we focus on the Hon’ami family’s beliefs as well as the society of the Hokke townspeople at the time, creating an exhibition structure that provides a comprehensive view of the state of Koetsu.

In particular, the fourth and final chapter, “Koetsu Tea Bowls – Swords of the Earth,” exhibits many breathtakingly elegant bowls, including “Kuraku Tea Bowl Named Shigure” (Important Cultural Property) by Hon’ami Koetsu. This gives it the feel of being the highlight of this exhibition.

Here you can see works selected by genre from the works exhibited in each chapter.

lacquer

National Treasure Funabashi Maki-e Inkstone Box by Hon’ami Koetsu Edo period 17th century Tokyo National Museum collection

A chain of images woven by the world of literature and calligraphy

The Funahashi Makie Inkstone Box, a national treasure, sits at the entrance to this exhibition and astonishes visitors with its brilliance and shape.
This inkstone box is famous as a masterpiece of Hon’ami Koetsu (1558-1637), and its distinctive feature is the raised, chevron-shaped lid. The whole body is rectangular with rounded corners, and the lid is made larger than the body.

The entire surface of the box is densely sprinkled with gold powder, small boats are lined up in the pattern of waves, and the space between them is filled with fine ripples, and silver poetry letters are inlaid high into the box.

sword

Important art object《Dantau inscribed by Kaneuji, gold inlay, flower keepsake》Kaneji Shizu, Kamakura-Nanbokucho period, 14th century《(Sword mount) Grass maki-e lacquered sword with carved scabbard and different coating》Edo period, 17th century

Famous swords carefully selected by the Hon’ami family’s aesthetic sense

The only sword that has been passed down as the Sashiryo of Koetsu has been exhibited to the public for the first time in about 40 years.

The author, Kaneuji, was a swordsmith who was active in Shizu, Mino Province (present-day Gifu Prefecture) from the end of the Kamakura period to the first half of the Nanbokucho period. The backs of the fingers are inlaid with gold, a “hanagamami” that is said to be Koetsu’s brush, and the accompanying sword holder is decorated with delicate grass that wraps around the entire scabbard in gold lacquer, making it extremely gorgeous.

If you decipher the meaning of the words and designs of the gold inlay on the flower keepsake and the gold lacquer on the creeping grass, will you be able to see Koetsu’s hidden feelings?

book

Important Cultural Property 《Thirty-six Kasen Waka Scrolls with Crane Drawings》 (part) Handwritten by Hon’ami Koetsu/Sketches by Tawaraya Sotatsu Edo period, 17th century, Kyoto National Museum collection

Representative works of Koetsu’s most fulfilling period

A volume of writing paper depicting a flock of flying cranes in gold and silver paint, with 36 poems from 36 poets up to the Heian period scattered on it. The shape and layout of the letters are skillfully changed to match the rise and fall of the cranes and the density of the flock, and you will be amazed at the sense of dynamism.
The calligraphy, which develops in cooperation with or even in competition with sketches attributed to Sotatsu Tawaraya, is said to be a representative work from the period when Koetsu exhibited his most fulfilling style.

This exhibition will be a very valuable opportunity as all volumes will be exhibited at once.

Pottery

Important Cultural Property 《Black Raku Tea Bowl Named Shigure》 Created by Hon’ami Koetsu Edo period 17th century Aichi/Nagoya City Museum Collection

Famous bowls that still have an overwhelming presence

Raku tea bowls are shaped by hand and carved with a spatula, and the tea bowls that are said to have been created by Koetsu have designs that give the impression of Koetsu’s own hand movements in various places. .
However, this work is characterized by suppressing this, giving an overall impression of tranquility. It is also known that Morikawa Nyoshunan, a sukiyakusha from Nagoya, acquired it at the young age of 16.

Event overview

Period January 16, 2024 (Tuesday) – March 10, 2024 (Sunday)
*Some works may be displayed during the exhibition period.
venue Tokyo National Museum Heiseikan (Ueno Park)
Opening hours 9 : 30-17 : 00 *Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
closing day Monday, February 13th (Tuesday)
*However, it will be open on February 12th (Monday/Holiday)
Admission fee General: 2,100 yen University students: 1,300 yen High school students: 900 yen*During busy times, you may have to wait to enter.
*Free for junior high school students and under. Please present your student ID when entering the museum.
*Free admission for people with disabilities and one caregiver. Please present your disability certificate when entering the facility.
*With this exhibition ticket, you can also view the general cultural exhibition only on the day of viewing.
For details, please check the ticket information page on the exhibition’s official website .
Exhibition official website https://koetsu2024.jp/

*The contents of the article are as of the time of interview. Please check the official exhibition website for details as the information may differ from the latest information. Additionally, the works featured in this article may have already been exhibited.


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[National Museum of Nature and Science] Coverage report on the special exhibition “Japanese Cuisine: Japanese Nature and the Wisdom of the People.” Does Japanese food, developed through a never-ending quest for food, become even more delicious if you know more about it?

National Museum of Nature and Science
Exhibition scenery

Since being registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013, Japanese cuisine has been attracting more and more attention worldwide.

Its charm, which many Japanese people seem to know but surprisingly don't know about, can be explained from a variety of perspectives, such as the diverse ingredients nurtured by the nature of the Japanese archipelago, techniques such as fermentation created by people's wisdom and ingenuity, cooking methods, and historical changes. A special exhibition "Japanese Cuisine – Japanese Nature and People's Wisdom" is currently being held at the National Museum of Nature and Science (Ueno, Tokyo). The exhibition period is until February 25, 2024 (Sunday).

Since I covered this exhibition, I will report on the situation at the venue.

*This exhibition was scheduled to be held in 2020, but was canceled due to the influence of the new coronavirus and will be held again.

Venue entrance
Exhibition scenery

Food from the mountains, food from the sea. Japanese food culture nurtured by diverse ingredients

The exhibition consists of six chapters.

The first chapter is an introduction that uses a video to ask the question, "What is Japanese food?" Next, the second chapter, “Ingredients grown in the archipelago,'' will be displayed, occupying approximately half of the venue.

Starting with water, which is the basis of food, we then move on to mushrooms, wild plants, vegetables, seaweed, seafood… The rich ingredients brought to you by the Japanese archipelago, which stretches more than 3,000 km from north to south and has one of the world's greatest biodiversity, will be presented scientifically using over 250 actual specimens and models, while also discussing topics such as fermentation techniques and soup stock. is explained.

For example, in the water exhibition area, space is devoted to explaining the hardness of water, such as soft water and hard water.

The hardness of water changes depending on the type of geology and how long rainwater, which is the source of daily water (hardness itself is almost zero), lingers, and minerals such as calcium and magnesium are present in 1 liter of water. It depends on how many mg it contains.

An exhibition of rocks related to water hardness. The first thing you see when you enter the “Japanese Food Exhibition'' venue is a rock, which gives you a sense of the nature of the Science Expo.

According to WHO standards, less than 60 ml/L is soft water, 120 ml/L or more is hard water, and anything in between is medium hard water. Water in Japan is basically soft water due to its steep terrain, high rainfall, and short water retention time. Soft water has no taste and ingredients dissolve easily in the water, making it suitable for Japanese cuisine that uses dashi stock to bring out the flavor of the ingredients.

On the other hand, continental Europe has a flat topography and slow flow, so there is a lot of hard water, and hard water makes it difficult for ingredients to dissolve and break down when boiled, so stews and other stews using meat have become widely established as home cooking. Ta.

I often hear people say, “Japan is a country with soft water, so if you travel to a country with hard water, some people find it hard to drink water or get upset stomachs.'' Some people may not know that the ease of use also varies depending on the water quality. It turns out that soft water greatly contributed to the development of Japan's food culture.

A comparative display of natural water produced by various beverage manufacturers.

Although it is said that Japan is a country with soft water, there are significant regional differences, and there are some places with hard water. The exhibit displayed plastic bottles of natural water of various hardnesses sold from all over Japan, and explained and compared the topography and geology from which the water can be harvested.

Furthermore, Japan's varied topography and climate, including lowlands, highlands, subtropics, and cool-temperate zones, contribute to the diversity of vegetation, especially mushrooms. Of the approximately 20,000 species of mushrooms known around the world, it is said that around 2,500 to 3,000 species, about 10% of which have names, are distributed in Japan.

Introducing real specimens from popular edible mushrooms such as nameko and enokitake to poisonous mushrooms.

In the mushroom exhibition area, we focused on the fact that wild mushrooms such as truffles and boletus, which are considered luxury foodstuffs in Europe and America, are also distributed in Japan. These are produced in large quantities, and although it is hard to imagine that the Japanese of ancient times did not know of their existence, they were not used as ingredients in Japanese cuisine. On the other hand, slimy mushrooms such as nameko and enokitake, which Japanese people prefer, tend to be disliked in Western countries.

It is interesting to see the extreme difference between mushrooms that occur in the same way, being prized on the one hand and ignored on the other. In this way, the exhibition featured many attempts to illuminate the image of “Japanese food'' from a perspective that extends to the rest of the world.

A movie that introduces the time when vegetables were imported. You may be surprised to learn that most of the vegetables that are familiar to Japanese food culture, such as Chinese cabbage, eggplant, onions, and cucumbers, actually originated from other countries.
Daikon is a vegetable that is often used in Japanese cuisine. Japan has the most varieties of radish in the world, with 800 types. The image shows models of 25 typical types of radish.
Boiling, roasting, fermenting, and further processing processed products. An illustration that shows how rice and soybeans are expanding the variety of Japanese cuisine.
From small sardines to large sunfish and scallops whose edible flesh can be clearly seen, the seafood specimens displayed all over the walls are a sight to behold.

Seafood is a protein source often used in Japanese cuisine. The variety of seafood eaten in Japan is said to be one of the best in the world.The Japanese archipelago is surrounded by a variety of water environments, from the Sea of Okhotsk covered in drift ice to the Ryukyu Islands with mangrove forests and coral reefs.There are approximately 4,700 types of fish alone in Japan. Are the types distributed?

In order to introduce the different migratory routes and habitats of each species, an interactive video exhibit has been prepared in the seafood exhibition area. By placing your hand over the shadows of the various seafood that appear in the seas around the Japanese archipelago each season, information about that seafood will be displayed, making it a fun way to learn.

A video exhibition of seafood from the seas around Japan. It looks like digital art, and shows not only the seafood but also the Japanese archipelago, which changes vividly with the seasons.
This is an exhibition of pressed leaf specimens that allow you to enjoy the true beauty of seaweed, which is hard to imagine from the shape it usually appears on the table.
In the “fermentation'' exhibition area, a “soy sauce color sample'' that you don't often see on a daily basis caught my eye. Colors are defined by numbers, and there are regulations for each type and grade of soy sauce.

As a valuable exhibit, Dr. Kikunae Ikeda of Tokyo Imperial University, who is known for discovering and naming the deliciousness typified by dashi soup, “umami'', actually produced glutamic acid (“Umami''), an umami component extracted from kelp. No. 1 extract distilled tami acid") is mentioned.

Exhibition of “No. 1 extraction tool distilled tami acid”

Today, umami is globally accepted as “UMAMI''. Umami was discovered by Dr. Ikeda in 1908 as a fifth taste that is different from the long-known sweet, sour, salty, and bitter tastes. However, “dashi'' itself, which is made by extracting umami ingredients such as glutamic acid, inosinic acid, and guanylic acid from ingredients such as kelp and bonito flakes, has a much older history and has already appeared in literature from the Muromachi period. The umami flavor of dashi does not rely on animal fats and oils, but rather brings out the flavor of the ingredients, making it an essential part of Japanese cuisine, which tends to be bland and centered around soups and vegetables.

Additionally, when you taste the amino acid glutamic acid and the nucleic acid-based umami components inosinic acid and guanylic acid at the same time, there is a phenomenon called “umami synergy,'' in which the umami taste is significantly stronger than when they are consumed alone. This phenomenon was discovered in 1960, and the mechanism was only recently elucidated in 2008, but the combination of kelp (glutamic acid) and bonito flakes (inosinic acid) has become popular in Japanese cuisine. It is said that this was during the Edo period.

The dashi display gave us a glimpse of the insatiable inquisitive spirit of our ancestors, who, even though they didn't know the existence of umami, used it in their cooking from experience.

What did Himiko and Nobunaga eat? There is also a reproduction display of recipes from the Edo period.

There are many highlights in the second half of the venue, especially in Chapter 3, “The Origin of Japanese Cuisine,'' which unravels the history of Japanese cuisine from the Jomon period to the present day, and features historical figures such as Himiko, Oda Nobunaga, Admiral Perry, and Emperor Meiji. One of the highlights of this exhibition is the display that recreates the dining tables of famous people .

Himiko's table. It was recreated by analyzing bones and plant seeds excavated at ruins around the country. During the Yayoi period, eating meat was not yet avoided, so boiled pork was also eaten.
This is a reproduction of the sumptuous honzen meal that Oda Nobunaga served when he entertained Tokugawa Ieyasu at Azuchi Castle, based on the menu described in the Edo period document “Zokugun Doshoju.''

Since the Nara period, when the original form of Japanese cuisine centered around rice and fish was established, with meat consumption considered unclean and avoided, it has developed into various forms such as vegetarian cuisine, honzen cuisine, and kaiseki cuisine, but these are limited. It was something that could only be offered to people in certain places and positions. It wasn't until the Edo period that Japanese food culture made remarkable progress, and knowledge and techniques spread to the common people. Major factors behind this are said to be the development of restaurants, the factory production of fermented seasonings, and the spread of cookbooks due to the expansion of the literate population.

A reproduction exhibition of Edo period cookbooks and dishes. It's very interesting to see what unfamiliar dishes like “Genji eggs'' and “Kirizumeshi'' taste like.

On display are the playful best-selling book “Tofu Hyakuchin'' (1782), which collects 100 types of tofu dishes, “The Secret Box of Radish Cooking,'' which was published as a result of that hit, and “Manpo,'' which focuses on chicken and eggs. See the original recipe books that contributed to the spread of Japanese food culture, such as the “Hyakurinmono'' cookbooks with different ingredients, as well as food samples of dishes made using the recipes introduced in the books. is completed. There was a QR code for a modern version of the recipe next to the exhibit, so it might be fun to try it at home.

A reproduction exhibition that conveys the atmosphere of fast food stalls that were popular in Edo, such as Nihachi soba, sushi, and tempura. It also serves as a photo spot.
A map of ozoni, a Japanese dish that still has strong regional characteristics even today, and samples of typical ozoni foods.

In the fourth chapter, “The Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of Japanese Cuisine ,'' the eye-pleasing video installation focuses on the things that make up Japanese cuisine, such as the vivid skills of chefs, the sophisticated shapes of cooking utensils, and the aesthetic sense of our ancestors. I'll give it to you.

Video installation for Chapter 4, “The Truth, Goodness, and Beauty of Japanese Cuisine.'' Each movement of the knife, which affects the quality of the food, shapes Japanese cuisine.

After the advent of civilization and enlightenment, with the introduction of Western and Chinese cuisine, the Japanese people began to refer to the food culture they had created as “washoku'' and became aware of this concept. Historically, Japan has successfully incorporated foreign ingredients to develop new cuisines, such as cooking methods that blend Japanese and Western styles, and Japanese-style Western and Chinese cuisine such as curry rice, Neapolitan spaghetti, pork cutlet, and ramen. This can be said to be a major feature of Japanese cuisine.

In Chapter 5, “My Japanese Cuisine,'' after understanding the process by which Japanese cuisine was created through the previous exhibits, the content is designed to make you reconsider what Japanese cuisine is, whose definition changes over time. I did.

Only Chapter 6, “The Future of Japanese Cuisine,'' is located in the second venue, and it talks about how Japanese cuisine will change in the future, points out the importance of local cuisine and traditional vegetables, and explains how Japanese cuisine continues to change in response to changes in society. Look to the future. In the area that introduces attempts to solve food problems and developing technology, we were able to see rare artificially hatched Japanese eel leptocephalus larvae.

Exhibition of artificially hatched leptocephalus larvae of valuable Japanese eel. Although complete aquaculture has been successful, it has not yet been commercialized, and improvements are being made to breeding techniques.

Nowadays, it is possible to order ingredients from all over the world regardless of the season, and recipes from any country can be easily obtained through the internet. You can experience the same food and the same taste anytime and anywhere…With the expansion of homogeneous food-related services, the diversity and uniqueness of Japanese food culture may be fading away. However, there are certain ingredients and tastes that are rooted in the local area, and if we think about the wisdom and tenacity that went into changing Western food to fit within the Japanese style and context of rice and miso soup, we can't help but think about the future. I felt that there was hope for the development of

If you deepen your understanding of the diverse natural environment and people's activities of the Japanese archipelago through this exhibition, you may find that your daily Japanese food tastes even better.

The exhibition period is until February 25, 2024 (Sunday). Please come and visit us.

Overview of the special exhibition “Japanese Cuisine: Japanese Nature and People’s Wisdom”

Period Saturday, October 28, 2023 – Sunday, February 25, 2024
*Show dates are subject to change.
venue National Museum of Nature and Science (Ueno Park, Tokyo)
Opening hours 9:00-17:00 (Admission until 16:30)
closing day Mondays, New Year holidays (December 28th – January 1st), January 9th (Tuesday), February 13th (Tuesday)
*However, it will be open on December 25th (Monday), January 8th (Monday, holiday), February 12th (Monday, holiday), and February 19th (Monday).
Admission fee (tax included) General/students 2,000 yen, elementary/junior high school/high school students 600 yen
*Preschool children are free.
*Free admission for persons with a disability certificate and one caregiver.
For other details, please check the ticket page of the official website ( https://washoku2023.exhibit.jp/ticket.html ).
inquiry 050-5541-8600 (Hello Dial)
Exhibition official website https://washoku2023.exhibit.jp/
Sponsored by National Museum of Nature and Science, Asahi Shimbun

*The content of the article is as of the interview date (October 27, 2023). Please check the exhibition official website for the latest information.


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