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…
Review of Tokyo Ueno Station by Renae Lucas-Hall Special Contribution: Renae Lucas-Hall According to Wikipedia, the author Yu Miri was born in Yokohama to Korean parents. Her abusive father worked in a pachinko parlour and her mother was a bar hostess. She was bullied at school and made to feel like an outsider. Years later,…
Images of old Japan based on a commercial illusion Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese photographer, Kusakabe Kimbei, was born in 1841 in Edo Japan and died in the 1930s during a period of heightened political tension in this nation. Hence, one can only imagine the things he witnessed throughout his life because…
Contemporary Japanese artist: Time reflected through art and culture Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In another stunning art piece by the contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi, she focuses on a classic by Sakai Hōitsu (1761-1829). However, in her reflection, the dynamics change in relation to the color scheme, meaning, and the bird is now…
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,…
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…
Review of Ellery Queen’s Japanese Mystery Stories Special Contribution: Renae Lucas-Hall Originally published by Tuttle in 1984 under the title Ellery Queen’s Japanese Golden Dozen, this cover features a watchful detective smoking in Tokyo’s back streets with Japanese street signs, red lights, and lanterns in the background. Crime fiction is very popular at the moment…
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…
Japan art and Watanabe Shikō (1683-1755): Fusion of ideas Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Information about the artist Watanabe Shikō (1683-1755) is relatively sketchy. However, it is known that he was gifted from an early age. Similarly, he was born in the cultural city of Kyoto during the Edo Period. Little is known about…
Japanese contemporary art and stunning trees Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi focuses on various art themes related to European and Japanese art. In this article, the focus is on five delightful trees that highlight the beauty of nature. Each setting is different and the same relates to the…
Japan Art and a radiant moon at nightfall in distant times Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Kamisaka Sekka (1866-1942) illuminated the world of Rinpa (Rimpa) art during a period of momentous changes in Japan. This relates to liberalism, nationalism, militarism, modernity, technology, and sweeping changes that altered the landscape. However, by focusing…
Art of Japan and the fusion of ideas by Kanzan Shimomura Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kanzan Shimomura (1873 to 1930) is a famous artistic son of Wakayama. Thus, the spiritual and cultural dimension of his art is blessed by the natural traits of Wakayama. Equally important, he was born into a family known…
Japanese Art and Yumeji Takehisa: The sadness will last forever Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The internationally esteemed Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) died tragically after shooting himself. He took many hours to die but when all hope was lost he famously said, “The sadness will last forever.” Yumeji Takehisa (1884-1934) equally died relatively young…
Japan art and Sakai Dōitsu: His heart belonged to the old world Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Sakai Dōitsu (1845-1913) was born during a very revolutionary period in Japan. This applies to the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912). However, Dōitsu firmly belongs to the rich world of rinpa (rimpa) art. Hence, while Dōitsu witnessed…
Yukio Mishima and fusion of nationalism, the word, and the perfect death Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yukio Mishima wrote, “If we value so highly the dignity of life, how can we not also value the dignity of death? No death may be called futile.” This comment is poignant if you have never read…
Japan poetry and the Buddhist monk Jien: The suffering world Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Tendai Buddhist monk Jien (1155-1225) left behind a lasting legacy in the cultural and religious dynamics of Japan. This relates to his poems and historical accounts of the time alongside the Tendai Buddhist angle. Jien was born before…
Japan art and Buddhist Monks in the deep snow with a Shinto Shrine in the distance Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi utilizes the simplicity of an art piece by Kamisaka Sekka (1866-1942). However, as usual, Utsumi provides her unique angle related to the backdrop of a Shinto…
Chinese art and Shen Quan: A brief period in Japan but a lasting legacy Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Edo Period (1603-1868) is known for keeping foreign people out and gradually closing the country. However, the past cultural bonds that shaped Japanese high culture preserved. Hence the small window of Nagasaki enabled a…
Japan art and the Reflection of Time: Hōitsu and the Persimmon Tree by Utsumi Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In another stunning art piece by the contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi, she focuses on a classic by Sakai Hōitsu (1761-1829). However, in her reflection, the dynamics change in relation to the color scheme, meaning,…
Zen Buddhist art of Japan: Hakuin Ekaku and teacher of all Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769) revived Rinkai Buddhism in Japan because his roots never left him. Indeed, he was a holy Buddhist preacher who connected easily to ordinary people. Therefore, he understood the complexity of Buddhism in the countryside and…
Japan poetry and Okura (660-733): Influence of Confucianism and East Asia Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yamanoue no Okura (660-733?) lived a dynamic life by the standards of the day. Of course, many areas of his life remain shrouded in mystery based on the passages of time. Therefore, it isn’t fully known if he…
Art of Japan and Torii Kiyonaga: Images of serenity Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Many individuals in modernized nations often look back to an imagined time of serenity. Of course, the reality is most likely different. Yet aspects of cultural identity and continuity appeal. Therefore, irrespective if art emanates from China, France, Japan, or…
Japanese tenth-century poetry: Mibu no Tadamine and the Middle Kingdom (China) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese poet Mibu no Tadamine reached his height during the late ninth and early tenth centuries. It is known that he was active in the Heian court between 898-920. Therefore, one can imagine his world through the…
Japan tourism and Nara: The legacy of Buddhism and high culture thrives Tomoko Hara and Sawako Utsumi Modern Tokyo Times The delightful city of Nara is the birthplace of Japanese high culture and today this angle shines brightly. Hence, domestic and international tourists flock to this amazing part of Japan. Indeed, the region of Kansai…
Japan art and Goshun (1752-1811): The richness of Chinese and Japanese high culture Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Matsumura Goshun (1752-1811) was brought up in a world where high culture was supreme. He was the eldest child of six children and born into a wealthy family. Therefore, from a young age,…
Japanese art and rinpa: Buddhism, Maple trees, and a lovely stone lantern Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The delightful school of rinpa (rimpa) art covers a notable art form that hails from Japan. Rinpa spans many centuries and in modern times this art form continues to represent Japanese high culture. Therefore, international and…
Japan art and Morimura Hōgi (1805-1862): High culture and continuity Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Morimura Hōgi followed in the rich traditions of rinpa (rimpa) art and the cultural traits associated. This relates to art, poetry, the tea ceremony, and other areas of high culture. Hōgi belongs to the Edo period in Japan and…
