Art of Japan and Hōitsu: A delightful triptych of nature by this Buddhist monk Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Sakai Hōitsu (1761-1829) lived a rich life devoted to high culture. In the last few decades of his life, he became a Buddhist monk. Therefore, the flow of art, Buddhism, literature, poetry, and other refined…
Japan art and continuity despite rapid political changes: Sakai Dōitsu (1845-1913) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Sakai Dōitsu (1845-1913) was a Japanese artist who witnessed the demise of the Edo period and the rapid changes of the Meiji era. However, he actually died during the early Taisho period that promised further modernization and greater liberty. …
Japanese Death Poem: The final moments of Prince Ōtsu (663-686) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The final weeks and moments of the life of Prince Ōtsu (663-686) were full of shock and sadness. His father, Emperor Tenmu, provided hope and optimism that his future would be bright. However, the convulsions after the death of…
Japanese Buddhist poetry from centuries ago Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The holy Buddhist monk Jien (1155-1225) followed Tendai Buddhism. Naturally, with the passages of time and the political power dynamics of the day, it is important to enter his world. However, for Jien, “All the flowers are but the flower of the law”…
Japanese Buddhist poetry: Saigyō, nature, and solitude Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The young Saigyō Hōshi (birth name Satō Norikiyo) was born to a noble family in Kyoto. However, the cultural dynamics were shifting because Buddhism was increasingly being questioned during his period of life – despite Buddhism remaining potent. Therefore, with Saigyō living between 1118-1190,…
Japanese poetry: Highly esteemed Hitomaro from 7th to early 8th century Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kakinomoto no Hitomaro (Hito-maru from the Heian era and onwards) is regarded as one of the greatest Japanese poets to have blessed this country. His name is mentioned alongside Fujiwara no Teika, Iio Sōgi (Inō Sōgi), and Matsuo Bashō.…
Japanese art and the feeling of Shinto through the prism of nature Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The contemporary Japanese artist, Sawako Utsumi, hails from northern Japan. Her artwork is often inspired by past European and Japanese artists, despite her own personal landscapes. Henceforth, in this delightful landscape, you can depict the partial influence of…
Buddhist poetry in Japan and the fallen Autumn leaf: Henjō (816-890) and Sōgi (1421-1502) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In two short poems by Henjō (816-890) and Sōgi (1421-1502), you can feel the last throes of life and the memories that become a dream world. Hence, these two holy Japanese Buddhist monks – with Henjō…
Buddhist nun: Art, poetry, Japanese anti-Buddhism, and sadness of Rengetsu (1791-1875) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Ōtagaki Rengetsu is widely acclaimed as being one of the greatest poets of nineteenth-century Japan. Indeed, her legacy is great concerning art, calligraphy, poetry, and being a graceful potter. The life of Rengetsu was shaped greatly by Buddhism.…
Japan art and the Persimmon Tree: Sawako Utsumi and homage to Sakai Hōitsu Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In time, the esteemed Japanese artist Sakai Hōitsu (1761-1829) became a Buddhist monk. However, long before Hōitsu sought solitude and becoming a Buddhist monk, he had studied various art forms. Therefore, after becoming a Buddhist monk,…
Japanese Buddhism and poetry under Emperor Shōmu in 8th century Nara Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Nara Period in eighth-century Japan is the cradle of Japanese high culture. Hence, it is fitting that Emperor Shōmu bestowed great privilege to cementing the Buddhist faith to a higher level during his reign. Emperor Shōmu was…
Japanese Buddhism and art: Hakuin Ekaku and Chinese philosophy Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The revered Zen Buddhist, Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769), understood the importance of connecting with ordinary people. Hence, under his tutelage and wisdom, he helped to restore the vitality of Rinzai Buddhism that was stagnating. Hakuin was born in Hara in the province…
Japan art and Greek philosophy: Still life art and the scroll of time Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The latest art piece by the Japanese contemporary artist Sawako Utsumi is titled “Still Life Art and the Scroll of Time.” By itself, the art piece appears to be devoid of political, religious, or philosophical meaning. However, similar…
An artistic Buddhist monk of bygone days in Japan Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kaō Ninga belongs to the world of the fourteenth century. Thus his art connects with this intriguing period of Japanese history. Therefore, Kaō fused the Buddhist ideals that impacted this esteemed holy monk by elevating religious thought patterns within his…
Japanese artist Soga Shōhaku was influenced by the Muromachi Period Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Soga Shōhaku (1730-1781) belongs to the Edo Period. Yet, for Shōhaku, the art world of the Muromachi Period (1336 to 1573 – period officially began in 1338) is what inspired him. Therefore, the cultural angle of the…
Japanese art: The desolate Japanese Buddhist path Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Sawako Utsumi is a gifted contemporary Japanese artist. In her latest art piece, titled “The desolate Japanese Buddhist path,” Utsumi once more fuses culture, nature, and Buddhism. Ironically, she does this despite being a follower of Shintoism. This concerns her connection with old Buddhism that…
Art of Japan: A flower cut down before full bloom Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The esteemed Japanese artist Sakai Hōitsu (1761-1829) must have been crestfallen on hearing of the death of Suzuki Reitan (1792-1817). After all, Reitan had studied under Hōitsu. Therefore, one of the flowers he was teaching would never bloom. Hence,…
Poetry of Japan in bygone days and rich linkage with Northeast Asia Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The life of Yamanoue no Okura (660-733?) is extremely fascinating. Hence, while many areas of his life remain shrouded in mystery based on the passages of time, the richness of culture emanating from Northeast Asia is strongly…
Japanese poet of the ninth and tenth century Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Heian court was served by the poet Mibu no Tadamine between 898-920. Thus one can imagine the flows of internal Japanese culture and the impact of the Middle Kingdom (China) on this esteemed poet from bygone days. Indeed, the Nara…
Tanaka Hōji and Japan art: Taoism to Meiji era and words of Lao Tzu Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Tanaka Hōji (1812-1885) is a Japanese artist who belongs to the traditions that predate the Meiji Restoration of 1868. Hence, despite the modernizing convulsions of the Meiji Restoration on the art world of Japan, the…
Art of Japan and Rinpa inspired art in modern times Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese contemporary artist, Sawako Utsumi, produced an adorable art piece based on rinpa (rimpa). In the past, Utsumi also heavily focused on Sakai Hōitsu (1761-1828) concerning rinpa. However, in her latest rinpa art piece, the emphasis is on…
Art of Japan and wisdom of Watanabe Kazan (1793-1841): Covid-19, economic struggles, and Confucianism Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The wisdom of Confucius impacted enormously on the Japanese artist Watanabe Kazan (1793-1841). Hence, this esteemed artist helped the marginalized in the Tahara Domain (the environs of Aichi Prefecture in modern-day Japan) during the Tenpo…
Art of Japan and the holy Buddhist monk Kaō Ninga Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The holy Buddhist monk Kaō Ninga belongs to the world of bygone days. Hence, while the ideas of the fourteenth century represent the highpoint of his artistic life during the Muromachi period, earlier ideas equally blessed this gifted monk.…
Art of Japan and Sakai Dōitsu: Traditional art during the Meiji era Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Sakai Dōitsu (1845-1913) was born in the last few decades of the Edo period. Yet, despite the revolutionary changes of the Meiji Restoration, his art is shaped by tradition. Hence, while many Japanese artists…
Art of Japan and Ishizaki Kōyō: His early path was set Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Ishizaki Kōyō (1884-1947) hails from the prefecture of Toyama in Japan. He was the fifth born son of a merchant family. Therefore, from a very early age, his path was set and secure. Kōyō studied under…
Art of Japan and time in a new light: Hōitsu and the Persimmon Tree by Utsumi Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In these two adorable art pieces by the contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi, a different slant to the original by Sakai Hōitsu (1761-1829) emerges. In her reflection, the color narrative takes center stage.…
Japan art and the Edo artist Katsukawa Shunshō Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Katsukawa Shunshō was blessed with an independent artistic spirit. Of course, he understood the commercial angle of ukiyo-e but Shunshō wasn’t afraid to go against the grain. Outside Japan, Shunshō isn’t particularly famous but he produced many stunning art pieces. Indeed,…
Art and poetry: The last throes before the ghost of time Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times A lifetime of friendship becomes distant. Moments of confusion grow from minutes to days. Loved ones often erased. The river once flowed and reached my heart. Now the flow is lost. Art hangs on many walls, like eyes…
Japanese art, the impact of Paris, and the shadow of war: Kanokogi Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Takeshiro Kanokogi was born in the prefecture of Okayama. Luckily, for Kanokogi, the Meiji Restoration of 1868 opened up culture and society. Therefore, he had the opportunity to focus on different artistic themes and to…
Japan art and Sakai Hōitsu: Snow, the Moon, and Cherry Blossoms Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Sakai Hōitsu (1761-1829) created a delightful triptych that is referred by the title Snow, the Moon, and Cherry Blossoms. Interestingly, Hōitsu completed the three motifs when he was 60 years old. The reason why this…
Early Japanese Heian poet: The autumn, especially, is lonely Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese poet Mibu no Tadamine belongs to the early Heian poetry scene in Japan. Sadly, not much is known about his actual birth and death. Hence, little is known about the things that reached his heart during his early…
Japan art and Tanaka Hōji: Taoism, Hōitsu, and Jurōjin Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Tanaka Hōji (1812-1885) was born in the Edo period (1603-1868) and died in the Meiji era. The Meiji Restoration of 1868 is known for the modernization of Japan. However, for Hōji, he belongs to the traditional art…
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