Shibata Zeshin

Hello from Shukado.

Today we will write about Shibata Zeshin.

Shibata Zeshin was a famous and revolutionary Japanese lacquerer and painter  of the late Edo period and early Meiji era.
As its  extreme modernizm, his works were not understood sufficiently in Japan at that time.
Instead, Zeshin has come to be well regarded and much studied among the art world of the West, in England and the United States in particular.
So in the West there were a lot of collectors of Zeshin for example  Catherine and Thomas Edison Collection .

Zeshin was born and raised in Edo. His father Ichigoro were shrine carpenters (miyadaiku) and skilled wood carvers.
When he was eleven, he begin to learn lacquer from Koma Kansai.
And at age 13, he started to study the painting of Shijo school to
get skill of drawing.

Zeshin provided works to the royal family of Japan for many years, and in 1890 he was named “Imperial Household Artist.”

This is hanging scroll of Zeshin.

                                       "Gavel and Fishig Rod"  Shibata Zeshin

                                                                            (part)

If you are interested in Zeshin, we reccomend to go to Nezu museum in Tokyo.
Now the exhibition of Shibata Zeshin is run there.

Nezu museum is  famous for its excellent art collections including a lot of national treasures.

And you can enjoy autumn color of leaves at its garden.

Art Taipei 2012

Hello from Shukado.

Today we are going to write about the art fair that we participate.

Art Taipei 2012 will be held from November 9th to 12th.

150 galleries are participating. In fact 136 out of 150 is from Asia.

So literally it is one of the art fair which represent Asian art fair.

We will exhibit the works of Ikenaga Yasunari, Abe Kiyoko, Okamoto Toko.

 

This is a photo which the president of Shukado took at the booth 30minuite before.

 

If you have chance to visit Taipei, please drop in the fair!

 

Next Exhibition

Hello from Shukado.

We are going to write about our upcoming exhibition.

Exhibition’s title is “The secret of  Yakusya-e(Actor’s prints)”

You can see beautiful and popular Yakusya-e like below.

 

 

This is the first performance of “Shiranami Five men”

Shiranami means robbers in kabuki.

And this play is one of most popular play.

Bentenkozo(center) who looks like a woman is a man in fact.

 

In addition to this, There will be displays of  a lot of works.

 

 

Please check the schedule below.

Schedule

October ,3, 2012 (Sa) – October, 10, 2012 (Sa)

Hours

10:00-18:00 ( only Sunday 11:00- )

Admissions

Free

Place

Gallery Shukado

 

We are looking forward to visiting us!

Ginza International Week

Hello, from Shukado.

Today, we will write about "Ginza International Week".

Ginza International Week has started Oct.8.
I came across many foreign people enjoing "Ginza" yesterday.

Ginza is one of the Japan's most comerciala areas which has continued to lead
the country's modernization for 400 years.
Ginza International Week is the festival which offers excellent creativity
of Ginza in fashon, in the art, in food and so on.
You can accept concierge service at Sony Building from Oct.9 to 14.

In this period, various special events are prepared, for exanple tea ceremony, children's kabuki,
gallery tour and so on.
There are a number of galleris in Ginza featuring art from different ages and cultures.
If you interested in Japanese arts, why don't you take part in the gallery tour?
With only one or two hours tour, you can enjoy the essence of Japanese art.

We are looking forward your visit!

Abe Kiyoko

Hello, from Shukado.
Today, we will introduce you Japanese painter Abe Kiyoko and her artworks.

Abe Kiyoko is Japanese-Style Painter born in Tokyo in 1970, mainly producing figure painting using Sumi-ink and tint color.

Her witty solo exhibitions; “Gekijo (=Theater)”, “Kokkei Joto (=Humorous, Excellent)”, “Yasashi Nimpinin (=Gentle people are not people) ,"Reiseidojo" and more.

                             Abe Kiyoko "Remnant"

                  

                                                        Abe Kiyoko "Wraith"

If you are interested in her and her artworks, Please visit this site!

Shukado catalog VOL.33

Today, we will write about our new catalog.
Shukado Catalog VOL.33  has issued.

 

The front page is Yokoyama Taikan's work "Mt Fuji" (part).

Yokoyama Taikan (1868-1958) was a Japanese-style-painter from Ibaraki, who founded Nihon Bijutsu In along with Okakura Tenshin. As a Master, he showed Modern Japanese-style-paintings the way to go.

 

The catalog also features Soga Shohaku, Kumagai Morikazu, Ono Chikkyo and so on.

Special features are interview of Okamoto Toko, who is a new star in the Japanese artscene and Eisen vs Kuniyoshi in beauty (items and article)

 

If you get interested our catalog, Please check here!

 

 

Famous Sights of Nikko

Hello from Shukado.

Best season for travels has come.

So today we will introduce you Ukiyo-e depicting beautiful sights.

 

The Nikko area in the mountains north of Edo is famous for a autumn colors and the many waterfalls which feed into Lake Chuzeji.

From the great nember of waterfalls in Nikko,it is said that there are 48waterfalls or 72waterfalls in Nikko.

 

This is a Ukiyo-e depicting several hikers enjoyng watefalls and autumn leaves.

                                   Chikanobu "The famous view of Nikko, Waterfall"

In this view Hannya waterfall is on the right and the higher Hohto at left.
The contrast between local tourists and overdressed women (they seem to visit Nikko from Edo.)
is very intresting.
Still today, you can enjoy this beautiful landscape from Irohazaka(most famous view point in Nikko)
Because Nikko has large difference of elevation, we can enjoy autumn foliage from early autumn to late autumn.
If you are interested in Nikko, Please click here!

Big Spider

Hello form Shukado.

Today, we will introduce a vigorous Ukiyo-e.

                                         
                                            Yoshikazu "Big Spider"

The sick Minamoto Yorimitsu(famous warrior) Guarded by his four famous retainers (known as the shitennoh),
is tourmented by the big spider.

This work depicting the scene  four famous retainers slash the spider with their swords.

The story is recounted in the noh play "Tsuchigumo, which was later adapted to the kabuki stage.

Kuyoshi also
depicted theUkiyo-e of the same scene.

Hello, from Shukado.

Today, we will write about our exhibition coming soon.

We will make a presentation of Okamoto Toko’s  solo show in

TobiArt Fair this October.

OkamotoToko is a new star who has appear in the Japanese art scene.

This is a part of her work “Spring Daytime”

You will able to see her 8 works including this.

Tobi Art Fair presents over 100 galleries featuring the great works from old masters to contemporary Japanese art from 5 - 7 October 2012

To enter into the Tobi Art Fair 2012 is charged.

You can check the ticket price and opening time here.

 

And after the exhibition at Tokyo Art club, we will hold the same solo exhibition at Shukado gallery. from 9-19 October 2012.

We are looking forward to your visit!

Waterfall

Hello from Shukado.

In Japanese calendars, today is “Shosho” which means the days have ended summer.

But high temperature has continued in Japan, so we will introduce the item would

 

make you feel cool.

 

 

　　　　　　　　　　

                                                Waterfall　　　Senjyu Hiroshi
     

This is the work that Senjyu Hiroshi depicted.

Waterfall is his most popular theme.

You might have seen his works anywhere.

Because you can see his works at Haneda airport.(click here)

And his works were on exhibit at the conference room of APEC 2010.

In addition he held one-man exhibitions in New York severaltimes.

Kuniyoshi's "Beauty in chequered kimono"

Hello from Shukado.

Today, we will intoroduce you a famous series of Kuniyoshis Ukiyo-e,

"Shimazoroi Onna Benkei, (Women in Benkei-chequered kimono)".

                                                  Kuniyoshi "Shimazoroi Onna Benkei"  $886.00

This selection is from a series of mitate-e (parody prints) composing ten prints which illustrate beautiful women dressed in chequered kimono.

The patterned textile is reference to the chequered cloth frequently worn by Benkei,

A follower of Minamoto Yoshitsune famed for his strength.

Each prints in the series portrays includes episodes about Benkei.

In this print the seven different weapons that Benkei sometimes carried on his back

Ornament her obi(belt).

You can check other Kuniyoshi's works on Japanese Fine Art. Com.

Please visit here!

Genroku Yamatonishiki

Hello from Shukado.

Have you noticed the special topic in Japanese Fine Arts . com (Shukado's web site) had chaged.
Now we feature "Genroku Yamatonishiki " by Kawanabe Kyosai .
The series represents warriors from Akoroshi when they conducted a raid in 1702.

   Kawanabe Kyosai, "Genroku Yamatonishiki, Okajima Yasoemon & Kurahashi Densuke"  $1013.00

Here depicted is the brave look of Okajima Yasoemon Tsuneshige and Kurahashi Densuke Takeyuki, both Akoroshi members, in a fight. In an elaborate depiction, ash spill out from a brazier thrown in from the enemies, half covering the title script. Struggling in the heated carbon and ash, they are bravely managing to put their enemies down.

    Kawanabe Kyōsai(1831–1889) was a Japanese artist, in the words of a critic, "an individualist and an independent, perhaps the last virtuoso in traditional Japanese painting".

Living through the Edo period to the Meiji period, Kyōsai witnessed Japan transform itself from a feudal country into a modern state. Born at Koga, he was the son of a samurai. After working for a short time as a boy with Utagawa Kuniyoshi, he received his artistic training in the Kanō school, but soon abandoned the formal traditions for the greater freedom of the popular school. During the political ferment which produced and followed the revolution of 1867, Kyōsai attained a reputation as a caricaturist. He was arrested three times and imprisoned by the authorities of the shogunate. Soon after the assumption of effective power by the Emperor, a great congress of painters and men of letters was held at which Kyōsai was present. He again expressed his opinion of the new movement in a caricature, which had a great popular success, but also brought him into the hands of the police this time of the opposite party.
Plese check his other works here!

Ikenaga Yasunari

The winner of Grand Prix 8th Tatehiko Suga announced.

Ikenaga Yasunari has won the Horable Mention Prize .

Suga Tatehiko (1878-1963) was a Japanese-style painter from Tottori. He learned different painting styles from his father and by himself. He created his unique style based on sketches. He received a high acclaim with the serial works featuring the old Osaka culture, which he produced in his later years.

You can check a part of his award winnig here.

And please visit his special page in Shukado' homepage.

If you get his works, please check here.

New Catalog VOL.32

Today, we will write about our new catalog.
Shukado Catalog VOL.32  has issued.
Special features are Watanabe Seitei, Heike vs Genji and Utagawa Hiroshige.

Watanabe Seitei (1851-1918) was a Japanese-style painter from Edo, who studied under Kikuchi Yosai and Shibata Zeshin. He excelled at Kachoga (Bird-and-Flower Painting). His artworks capturing oil painting texture produced after his stay in Europe were highly evaluated in Europe. He also handled a lot of wood-block prints and illustrations.

We will show you one of Seitei'work from the catalog.

Watanabe Seitei "Autumn with Beautiful Leaves"

There are 10piece of Seitei's works in the catalog.

And you check alot of other items, for example Kawai Gyokudo, Kainosho Tadaoto, Kikuchi Yosai

and so on.

If you get interested our catalog, Please check here!

Japanese Ghosts

Ghosts are popular theme for Ukiyo-e.

And in summer exhibitions of Ghost works are often held at museums.

Today we will show you a “ghost ukiyo-e”

　　　　　　　　　　　Toyokuni Ⅲ　"Ghost of Koheiji"　$938.00

This ukiyo-e was depicted from a scene of kabuki.

This season depicted in the work is consider mid summer, obon season.

Souls are believed to return to their families during obon season.

I think you can see a cow made by eggplant.

That is a special item to offer the souls.

Because cows are a slow walker, it is believed that souls would return to

 the netherworld.

Now, a exhibition of ghosts is held In Fukuoka prefecture.

You can see above item in the exhibition.

We recommend the check of its website.

It is very interesting. (sorry only Japanese)

And please check the category "ghosts" in our web site.

One Hundred Aspects of the Moon

This year is one hundred  twentieth anniversary of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's death.
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi(1839-1892) was an artist of Japanese paintings, taught by Ichiyusai or Utagawa Kuniyoshi.

He created modern ukiyo-e depicting warriors, actors and beauties and many sensational pieces. Since circa 1873, he created art pieces with unique drawing techniques based on timely topics.

His drawing technique depicting a moving motion as a stop motion can also be found in modern Manga cartoons, thus some people call him as a pioneering cartoonist.
Today, We introduce to you his outstanding works  "One Hundred Aspects of the Moon
(Tsuki Hyakushi)"
He took seven years to complete this great artwork consisted of 100 pieces.

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, "Chika over Asano River, 100 Aspects of the Moon"
Here depicted is “Chika”, a ground-daughter of Zeniya Gohei who was running a money exchange shop in Kaga (present Kanazawa Pref.) in the Edo period. Gohei launched a business on the reclamation works in his later years, but opposite people spread a bad rumor on him in connection to an accident caused by a contaminated fish, and he was put in a jail despite not guilty and died behind the bars. Chika kept protesting his grand-father’s innocence and visited the shrine for prayer every night which harmed his health. She seemed to have passed away at 26.
Chika in the piece shown wears a sad expression. Her loose clothes might suggest her short life. 

You can check other items of One Hundred Aspects of the Moon here.
Please visit our site!

Fortune-pictures

In Japan golden week holidays will start from tomorrow.

we will be closing from 28th April to 6th May.
For those who inquire by e-mail or phone, we will give you a reply after 7th May. Thank you very much for your understanding.

By the way, today  I will introduce “ Fortune-picture” to you.

This kind of ukiyo-e is called “Uke-e”.

Uke-e Fukubiki no Zu  Kuniyoshi    $1172.00

The teaching of yin and yang says that seven good years are alternating with five bad years.

That is why one will always give a Uki-e, showing several things which are starting with the first sound from the word “fuku” that means fortune.

For example Fugu (puffer fish), Fuji-san(Mt Fuji) and so on.

Great Horseraces at Ueno Park’s Shinobazu Pond illustrated

Hello we will show you the work depicting the scene of a horserase at Ueno Park.

 

Chikanobu "Great Horseraces at Ueno Park’s Shinobazu Pond illustrated"  

$741.00

Horseracing at Ueno Park In Tokyo was a popular around late 19^th century.

And prints of the Emperor and Empress attending the horseraces were quite

Popular.

Chikanobu depicted several different versions of the same scene.

This is the scene of the opening of the racetrack.

You can see a octopus, a goldfish, a crane floating in the sky.

 Fireworks explode above the racetrack,

With various paper balloons and toys. That was one of the events at auspicious occasion

And festivals.

The season for cherry-blossom viewing has come!

In Japan cherry-blossom viewing is one of most popular
leisure in spring.

And cherry-blossom is a popular subject for Ukiyo-e.
Today we will show you the scenes of cherry-blossoms
In Ukiyo-e.

This ukiyo-e was depicted by Toyokuni Ⅲ.
The work was from one scene kabuki play.

You can also enjoy Ukiyo-e about cherry blossom at Shukado's homepage.
Please visit blow(sorry,only Japanese)
http://www.syukado.jp/jp/tokusyu/02_sakura.html

The art fair Tokyo2012

The art fair Tokyo has started!

At Shukado booth, you can see the works of  blow painters;

Yasunari Ikenaga

Kiyoko Abe

Toko Okamoto

We are looking forword to your visit.

The Art Fair Tokyo

Dear customers and friends, 

Good afternoon from Kenshi of Shukado. 

Finally, it seems that winter has gone and spring is here. 
Plum trees are in full bloom now, which are almost one month later than usual.

I’m sorry that I couldn’t issue newsletter last week. 
It’s been really hectic with preparation for the Art Fair Tokyo and next catalog. 

Actually, I know it’s too late for advertising, the art fair is being held from this Friday (30th March) to Sunday (1st April). 
Last year, the devastating earthquake forced the delay of the scheduled date to July though, this year, it will be held as has happened in the past.

In this art fair, our gallery will display figure paintings by the modern artists such as Kaburaki Kiyokata and three contemporary artists; Ikenaga Yasunari, Abe Kiyoko, and Okamoto Toko. 
Since all the paintings are tour de force, I know it is difficult for most of you to visit it during the exhibition though, please keep an eye on it!

You can see the information of our exhibition and the art fair from the following url:
Please check them out.
(Exhibition information)
http://www.syukado.jp/jp/gallery/20120330artfair.html (Japanese)
http://artfairtokyo.com/en/?p=666
(Art fair information)
http://artfairtokyo.com/en/

If there are any artworks you are interested in, please feel free to contact us. 
See you next week!

Auspicious pictures

Happy new year from Shukado.

We are sorry for not having written in our blog for a long time.

Today I am going to write about auspicious pictures.

This Ukiyo-e was depicted about ｔhe seven Gods of good fortune by Ochiai Yoshiiku.

They are believed to arrive on a ship full of treasures and bring people forturn.

In the picture some of Gods is bringing money boxes and a red sea beam.

The red sea beam has long been regarded as an auspicious fish because of its color

In Japan red is a lucky color.

And also children enjoying kiting is depicted.

Kite flying is traditionally done during the New Year season to wish children’s good

health and happiness. This was a typical New Year’s scene in Japan.