Art of Japan and Hōitsu through the eyes of modernity 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 the memory of Kōrin. This, in turn,…
Changing dynamics of Japanese art during the Meiji era Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Utagawa Sadahide (Gountei Sadahide) witnessed the first years of modernization in Japan that emerged after the 1868 Meiji Restoration. Yet, prior to this dramatic period in Japanese history, the artist Sadahide depicted aspects of Western encroachment. Indeed, while many spectrums…
The last throes before the ghost of time for Judy Doggett Walker 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…
Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire through Japanese eyes: Buddhism, Christianity, and Shintoism Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The contemporary Japanese artist, Sawako Utsumi, who hails from Northern Japan, once more creates a lovely art piece. Spiritually, her background is based on Shintoism and tinged with Buddhism based on the cultural legacy. Yet, in general, the…
Esaias Van De Velde and Japan art: Dutch villages and Christian holy places via Japanese eyes The contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi adores the richness of Dutch Art from the distant past of the fifteenth to seventeenth century. In this article, the focus is firmly on Esaias van de Velde who passed away in 1630.…
Japanese contemporary artist and L.S. Lowry: A new light and different cultural perspectives Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Sawako Utsumi hails from northern Japan and she is a contemporary Japanese artist, who equally adores art from the distant past. True to the nature of Utsumi, her art focuses on the rich traditions of old…
Esaias van de Velde by modern Japanese artist: Legacy of Dutch Art 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, the same artist who…
Art of Japan and Yumeji Takehisa: Shadows of sorrow Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In many nations powerful elites often control and abuse the political system based on special interests and secrecy. Given this reality, many individuals feel like “fodder” because so many dreams fail to materialize for the majority of people. Likewise, the…
Art of Japan and ideas of simplicity: Pythagoras and Plotinus Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Still life art became a specific specialization within Western art by the final decades of the sixteenth century. Of course, this artistic theme can be traced back to Ancient Graeco-Roman art and within various elements of other cultures. However,…
Kanae Yamamoto and Japan art: Economic perils of his early life (Part One) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Kanae Yamamoto (1882-1946) witnessed many momentous historical events throughout his lifetime. Yet, despite the waves of changeable times – irrespective if modernization or militarization, this famous artist remained passionate about art and depicted many…
Takeshiro Kanokogi and art of Japan: The influence of France 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 only imagine…
Hell or heaven can’t defeat the futility of life The beauty of life fades by the woe of age and time All that once was near, now but a blurred memory Even the joy of the early dew is now dead God and gods are meant to provide light Yet, the death of nature…
Japan art and one-sided love: Frailty of life despite his boundless love of Paris Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yuzo Saeki is one of the most intriguing artists to have left the shores of the land of the rising sun. Sadly, his time on this earth was extremely limited because he perished when he…
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…
Artist from Japan inspired by L.S. Lowry: Northern England in a Japanese context Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The contemporary Japanese artist, Sawako Utsumi, is deeply moved by the art of L.S. Lowry (original below). Indeed, several art pieces done by Utsumi relate to playing on certain Japanese themes while focusing on the original.…
Contemporary Japanese artist and adorable landscape titled “Hakone in Natural Splendor” Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi recently produced another adorable art piece that focused on the natural landscape of Hakone. True to the nature of Utsumi, she bypassed the possibility of focusing on Mount Fuji that can be…
Art of Japan and the last Ukiyo-e knell of the Meiji Era: Western artists inspired 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 remains…
Contemporary Japan artist inspired by the Dutch master 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…
Art and Poetry: Typhoons and earthquakes take asunder to this cold earth In a flash, all love that was embraced was over The beauty of the child, the lady, the male, the grandparents, all gone No time to say goodbye or to protect The chanting Buddha, the prayer to Christ, the longing of the…
Japanese art and Confucianism: 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 (in the environs of…
Art of Japan and the two paths of Buddhism and Shintoism: Faith in the snow without Abraham Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The latest art piece by Sawako Utsumi, a contemporary Japanese artist who hails from Northern Japan, utilizes the snowy landscape by highlighting the respective strengths of Buddhism and Shintoism despite terrible adversity.…
Contemporary Japanese artist inspired by Alfred Sisley: Japanese eyes and cultural warning Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Alfred Sisley painted many adorable landscapes through the medium of impressionism. Yet, to many individuals with limited knowledge of art, his name remains relatively unknown in comparison with other impressionist artists. However, this doesn’t distract…
Short poem – The kingfisher dies I walked around this world in a haze Not knowing, nor seeking, the falsehood of another faith or culture After all, the kingfisher flew and dived Then a patter could be felt It was like the greatest mountain unspoiled by this brutal world Suddenly, my heart danced to another…
Contemporary Japanese Art and Shintoism: The spirit of Sawako Utsumi and the Kano School Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Sawako Utsumi is a contemporary Japanese artist who hails from the land of the rising sun. In this art article, the emphasis is on the individualism of Utsumi who is paying utmost respect to two…
Eishōsai Chōki and art of Japan: The elegance of simplicity Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Very little is known about the Japanese artist Eishōsai Chōki apart from the rich art he produced. It is widely speculated that he was a pupil under the culturally esteemed Toriyama Seiken just like Utamaro. However, in general, it…
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 the intriguing nature of Hayami: Northern Renaissance to Bunjinga Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Gyoshu Hayami (1894-1935) was born in the Meiji era whereby Japan entered a period of rapid modernization. However, his art belongs to the Taisho and Showa periods of Japanese history because he was too young…
Rinzai Buddhism and the Buddhist artistic outreach of Sengai Gibon Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The inner-soul of Sengai Gibon (1750-1837) was always multidimensional and the flow that linked all fusions was Buddhism. Artistic wise, we will never know the real capabilities of Sengai because his art and writings were based on simplicity,…
Art of Japan and the mystery of Utamaro Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The distinguished art of Utamaro Kitagawa is known internationally based on his stunning art. This notably applies to the depiction of beautiful women (bijin-ga). However, while Utamaro is internationally famous, his life remains shrouded in mystery based on many areas remaining…
Kanae Yamamoto (Part Two) and art of Japan: Europe and Socialism Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In my first article about Kanae Yamamoto (1882-1946), the emphasis was on his childhood, areas related to poverty during his early years, and how he left for Europe in 1912. Therefore, this article will further focus on the…
Art of Japan and the reality of poverty: The independent spirit of Eisen Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Keisai Eisen (1790-1848) learned to be independent at an early age because he chose a path that was fraught with economic danger. In a sense, Eisen represents aspects of “the real Edo period” for individuals who…
Japanese art and Kawamura Kiyoo (1852-1934): Changing times but sublime continuity Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Kawamura Kiyoo (1852-1934) created many amazing pieces of art during a period of rapid political change. He was born in the old world of the Edo Period (1603-1868) and he witnessed the modernization of the…
