Old Japanese photography of Kusakabe Kimbei and the mirage 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…
Japan art and Mount Fuji: Suzuki Kiitsu in color by Sawako Utsumi and the flow of Sakai Hōitsu Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese contemporary artist, Sawako Utsumi, once more produces an adorable art piece based on rinpa (rimpa). In the past, Utsumi heavily focused on Sakai Hōitsu (1761-1828) in relation to rinpa.…
Japan art and stunning angle to Sakai Hōitsu who belongs to the Edo Period by Sawako Utsumi Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In the latest art piece by Sawako Utsumi, this contemporary artist focuses on the rinpa (rimpa) finesse of Sakai Hōitsu (1761-1828). Hōitsu, himself, adored Ogata Kōrin (1658-1716) and in time he revitalized…
Japan poetry and the female poet Komachi: Heartfelt passion from the distant past Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese female poet, Ono no Komachi, was born in the ninth century. It is widely reported that she was born in 825 and passed away from this cold earth in the year 900. However, the…
Kano Sanraku (1559-1635) and art of Japan: The world of power concentration Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kano Sanraku (1559-1635) belongs to a time of major change in Japanese society. Hence, he witnessed the power processes of centralization under several warlords. This culminated with the emergence of the Tokugawa Period that lasted from…
Poetry of Japan and Arakida Moritake (1473-1549): Ambiance of Shintoism and Iio Sogi Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In time, the poet Arakida Moritake (1473-1549) became the symbolic head Shinto priest of the prestigious Inner Ise Shrine. Hence, with the Shinto faith meaning so much to Moritake, one can only imagine the inner-peace this…
Contemporary Japanese artist and L. S. Lowry in Full Bloom by Sawako Utsumi Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The contemporary Japanese artist, Sawako Utsumi, adores a plethora of different art styles fused from her native Japan and a mixture of European artists. This notably applies to the Dutch Masters of the sixteenth and seventeenth…
Japanese art and the small window of Nagasaki: The Chinese artist Shen Quan (Nanpin) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Chinese artist Shen Quan (Nanpin) had a limited opportunity and a narrow window to view Japanese culture. This is based on entering the narrow window of Nagasaki for roughly two years because Japan was…
Buddhist monk Jien and a window into old Japan (1155-1225): Poetry and history Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The elite nature of Japanese Buddhism began to change dramatically during the Kamakura Period (1185-1333) because many famous Buddhist leaders in this period would take the faith to all and sundry. Officially, the new era of…
The poetry of old Japan: Yamabe no Akahito and the devoutly Buddhist Emperor Shōmu Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yamabe no Akahito belongs to the world of eighth-century Japan when Nara was the cradle of high culture in this nation. In truth, the jigsaw of his life is extremely difficult to piece together.…
Buddhist art and the Japanese priest Mokuan Reien: The Middle Kingdom and Mu Qi Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese Zen Buddhist priest Mokuan Reien was born in the thirteenth century in the land of the rising sun. Like many Japanese Buddhist holy men – artists and people of culture – the Middle…
THE JAPANESE FILM FESTIVAL UNVEILS 2018 PROGRAM The Japanese Film Festival (17 Oct. – 2 Dec.) today announced its full program and first two guests for 2018: Australian-born rising star Shioli Kutsuna (Deadpool 2), delivers a stellar performance in highlight indie comedy Oh Lucy! and renowned Japanese auteur Isao Yukisada, for his turbulent coming-of-age drama…
Kamakura and the historic Shokozan Tokei-ji Buddhist Temple: Protector of women Kanako Itamae and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kamakura is famous for many adorable Buddhist temples and other important historical realities based on the past importance of this amazing part of Japan. The beauty of Kamakura – for Tokyoites and tourists alike –…
Japanese Buddhist poetry of the fourteenth century: Jakushitsu Genkō (1290-1367) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Jakushitsu Genkō (1290-1367) is a famous Japanese Rinzai Buddhist preacher who became the first abbot of the Eigen-ji temple that was built in his honor. He reportedly said about poetry, “Why pursue words, when one truly seeks silence?” This…
Japanese artist illuminates a classic Dutch art piece by Hendrick Avercamp Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi is once more focusing on the world of Dutch art. This time it is Hendrick Avercamp (1585-1634), unlike past art pieces that focused on Esaias van de Velde (1587-1630) and Aert van der…
Japanese artist touch to Esaias van de Velde: Light of Japan on Dutch art of yesteryear Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Another stunning art piece by the Japanese artist, Sawako Utsumi, is illuminated by the unique angle and a delightful color scheme to the original done by Esaias van de Velde. In the past,…
Japan art and Kanzan Shimomura: Famous son of Wakayama and his early artistic life in Tokyo Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Kanzan Shimomura (1873 to 1930) is a famous son of Wakayama and just like this part of Japan is rich in culture and faith, Kanzan also had a spiritual and cultural…
Japanese art and Takeshiro Kanokogi: Influence of Jean-Paul Laurens and Emile-Rene Menard Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Takeshiro Kanokogi was born in 1874 during the infancy of the Meiji Restoration that began in 1868. Yet, by the time of his death in 1941, much had changed about Japan. Therefore, one can…
Art of Japan and Matsumura Goshun: Impact of high culture, Yosa Buson, and the shadow of death Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Matsumura Goshun was born in 1752 during the Edo Period in Japan and he provides an impressive glimpse into the rich heritage of high culture. In the early period…
Japan poetry and Tendai Buddhism: The historian and poetic Buddhist monk Jien (1155-1225) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Buddhist monk Jien was born in 1155 and he passed away from this world in 1225. Yet, despite the passages of time, his historical writings and poems leave a lasting legacy. Therefore, Jien provides a…
Japanese Art and Ito Shinsui: the stunning art of his early golden period Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Ito Shinsui (1898-1972) is a pivotal Japanese artist of the twentieth century. Hence he blessed the Taisho and Showa periods of Japanese history through the medium of art. Equally important, the Shin Hanga art movement meant…
Art of Japan and Nishikawa Sukenobu: From the Empress to Prostitutes Modern Tokyo Times Lee Jay Walker The Japanese artist Nishikawa Sukenobu (1671-1750) was based in the cultural city of Kyoto and he created a distinctive style. Indeed, his rich depictions of women appealed greatly to kimono makers. However, while the imperial city of Kyoto…
Japan art and the paths of Shintoism and Buddhism: Holy men in the snow without Abraham Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In the second part of Sawako Utsumi’s art that focuses on Buddhist and Shinto holy men in the snow, the contemporary Japanese artist once more works a treat. Of course, the art itself…
International animation fans in mourning over the death of Isao Takahata: Grave of the Fireflies Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times If individuals adore animation, then the all-time classic Grave of the Fireflies will always hit a chord. The inspiration behind this most moving anime was Isao Takahata (1935-2018), who sadly just passed away. However,…
Buddhist artists from China and Japan: Kaihō Yūshō (1533-1615) and the shadow of Liang K’ai (1140-1210) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The path of Buddhism in China and Japan knows many roads because of various sects. Equally important, the thought patterns of Buddhism and cultural impact are extremely diverse in China and Japan. This…
Confucianism and the piety of the Japanese artist Watanabe Kazan (1793-1841) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Watanabe Kazan (1793-1841) was a very thoughtful artist who came from Japan. Ethics wise, the morality and wisdom of Confucianism impacted greatly on this exceptional artist. Therefore, Watanabe focused on helping ordinary people in the Tahara Domain…
Ninth Century Japanese Art: Kose Kanaoka and the Cultural Richness of the Middle Kingdom Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times A great deal of information isn’t forthcoming in the English-speaking world when it comes to Kose Kanaoka. Indeed, even conjecture remains about the art he produced. This is based on the last known surviving…
Japan poetry and impact of the Middle Kingdom: Abe no Nakamaro (698-770) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The eighth-century Japanese scholar and poet, Abe no Nakamaro (698-770), belongs to the cultural world that was inspired by the Middle Kingdom (China). From a very young age, he showed exemplary skills suited to the world of…
Great 2018 Winter Olympics for Japan: Female Speed Skaters led the way Noriko Watanabe and Chika Mori Modern Tokyo Times The 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea is one that will stay in the memory of all Japanese lovers who adore sport. Hence, the welcoming city of Pyeongchang in South Korea will stay etched in…
Japan art and the last Ukiyo-e knell of the Meiji Era: Western artists inspired by Japan Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Ukiyo-e art is especially linked with the Edo Period (1603-1868) but while this art form was being forced into the shadows based on the modernizing ramifications of the Meiji Period (1868-1912), the fact…
Japanese Art and Kano Michinobu (1730-1790) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Kano school of art blessed Japan for many centuries after the founding fathers were born in the fifteenth century. However, like all traditional art forms, the Meiji Restoration of 1868 and endless modernization would eclipse the longevity of Kano artists. Despite this,…
Japan is having a great 2018 Winter Olympics: Kodaira and Hanyu win respective Gold Medals Sawako Uchida and Chika Mori Modern Tokyo Times The 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea is going swimmingly for Japan in Pyeongchang based on the current rich haul of ten medals. Indeed, while Japan was extremely unlucky not to win…
