Art of Japan: Beauty inspired by nature Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Hayami Gyoshū (1894-1935) was born in Tokyo and art would become a way of life from a very young age. Like other artists born in the Meiji Period (1868-1912) a new Japan was dawning. Hence, the old traditional art forms were now…
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…
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 Oho (1808-1841): The rhythm of art and Buddhism Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Sakai Oho (1808-1841) belongs to the world of Japanese rinpa (rimpa) art. Despite living a life based on art, high culture, and the rhythm of Buddhism, it ended too soon. His father was a holy Buddhist priest…
Japanese art and Hayami Gyoshū (1894-1935): Camellia Petals Scattering Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Hayami Gyoshū (1894-1935) was born in Tokyo and art would become a way of life from a very young age. Like other artists born in the Meiji Period (1868-1912) a new Japan was dawning. Hence, the old traditional art forms…
Japanese folklore and art through the prism of a loyal warrior Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Taira no Tadamori (1096-1153) was a famous and notable samurai who was loyal to the Taira clan. In Japanese art and folklore, he is depicted favorably based on his many attributes that were so important in this period…
Japanese art, culture, and ghost stories: The influence of Shinto Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The endless winds of modernization and technological innovation is relentless in Japan. Hence, the religious dynamics of old Japan is but a ghost of its former self, just like the erosion of Christian influence in nations…
Samurai Tadamori (1096-1153) in Japanese art and folklore Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Taira no Tadamori (1096-1153) was a famous and notable samurai who was loyal to the Taira clan. In Japanese art and folklore, he is depicted favorably based on his many attributes that were so important in this period of Japanese history.…
Shintoism inside the consciousness of Japanese culture: Art to ghost stories to solace Chika Mori and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The endless winds of modernization and technological innovation is relentless in Japan. Hence, the religious dynamics of old Japan is but a ghost of its former self, just like the erosion of Christian…
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…
Ito Shinsui and Japanese art: Poverty to continuity Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Ito Shinsui (1898-1972) leaves a lasting legacy because he produced many stunning pieces of art. His artwork came to the fore during the Taisho and Showa periods in Japan, whereby he became famous for stunning images of beautiful women.…
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 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…
Ito Shinsui opened up the “old mirror” of Japanese art Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Ito Shinsui (1898-1972) is one of the greatest twentieth-century artists to emanate from Japan. Despite his early adorable landscapes, Shinsui is extremely famous because of his art related to depicting beautiful ladies (bijin-ga). In other words, Shinsui, just like…
Takehisa and Art of Japan: From radiance to despair and no international salvation Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In all nations, you have elites which control and often abuse power based on “special interests” and “secrecy.” Many individuals feel like “fodder” because so many dreams never materialize for the majority of people. This is…
Japanese Art and the Harsh Reality of Life: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi literally lived in two worlds and this applies to not only the Edo Period and Meiji Period but also to his chaotic lifestyle. However, despite this, Yoshitoshi produced stunning art and he was extremely productive.…
Japan Art: Shadows of Sorrow and No Artistic Redemption for Yumeji Takehisa 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…
Art of Japan and the enigmatic Tsukioka Yoshitoshi: Creativity to Depression Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi literally lived in two worlds. This applies to not only the Edo Period and Meiji Period of Japanese history but also to his chaotic lifestyle. However, despite this, Yoshitoshi produced stunning art and…
Japanese Art and Depicting Kabuki: Two Contrasting Styles Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Utagawa Toyokuni was born in 1769 and died in 1825 during the Edo Period in Japan. Sadly, despite producing elegant and stylish art he gave a rather negative comment about his artistic merits. Indeed, many art experts have wide opinions about…
Utamaro and Japanese Art: Mystery and Bijin-ga 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 foggy.…
Art of Japan and Changing Times through the Eyes of Yoshu Chikanobu (1838-1912) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yoshu Chikanobu (Toyohara Chikanobu) lived between 1838 and 1912, therefore, much of his art highlights the changing nature of Japan. The opening up of Japan after the Meiji Restoration provided many new dreams for Japanese citizens.…
Japanese Art and Ito Shinsui: A Lasting Legacy Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Ito Shinsui (1898-1972) is a notable twentieth-century artist from the land of the rising sun. This applies to the amazing sophistication and grace of so many art pieces. Also, Shinsui didn’t negate the rich traditions of Japanese art despite…
Nichiren Buddhism and Japanese Artist: Sado Island and Exile in the Snow Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Buddhist holy man called Nichiren (1222-1282) was exiled to Sado Island in his native Japan. This reality was extremely harsh for Nichiren and his followers feared for him. However, Nichiren had faced even worse situations because…
Japanese Folklore and Samurai Tadamori: Power Concentration and Taira Clan Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The folklore of Japan is extremely rich and not surprisingly art, culture, fables, history, and myths focus notably on characters like Taira no Tadamori (1096-1153) in a favorable light. Tadamori tackled the world he knew based on loyalty and…
Art of Japan and the Mysterious Reality of an Artist from a Samurai Background Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Isoda Koryusai is a man of mystery even today because much remains up in the air about important aspects of his life. Koryusai was born in 1735 and died in 1790. He became active during…
Samurai Taira no Tadamori and Art of Japan Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Japanese art and folklore depict Taira no Tadamori (1096-1153) most favorably because this notable samurai feared nothing in this world. Likewise, within the rich world of Japanese folklore and spirituality Tadamori also didn’t fear the unseen world of dark mysteries. Therefore,…
Japanese Art and Yumeji Takehisa: No International Salvation in Death Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times In all nations, you have elites which control and often abuse power based on “special interests” and “secrecy.” Many individuals feel like “fodder” because so many dreams never materialize for the majority of people. This is the reality of…
Art of Japan and Kabuki: Realism of Toyokuni Appealed Despite Sharaku Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Utagawa Toyokuni was born in 1769 and died in 1825 during the Edo Period in Japan. Sadly, despite producing elegant and stylish art he gave a rather negative comment about his artistic merits. Indeed, many art experts have…
Bijin-ga and Art of Japan: Utamaro and Mystery Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Utamaro Kitagawa is internationally famous because of his stunning art and this notably applies to the art of beautiful women (bijin-ga). Despite this, the life of Utamaro is shrouded in mystery because many areas remain foggy. Therefore, it is the art…
Japanese Artist and Nichiren Buddhism: Exile in the Snow on Sado Island Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Buddhist holy man called Nichiren (1222-1282) was exiled to Sado Island in his native Japan. This reality was extremely harsh for Nichiren and his followers feared for him. However, Nichiren had faced even worse situations because…
Folklore and Art of Japan: Taira Clan, Samurai Tadamori, and Power Concentration Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The folklore of Japan is extremely rich and not surprisingly art, culture, fables, history, and myths focus notably on characters like Taira no Tadamori (1096-1153) in a favorable light. Tadamori tackled the world he knew based on…
Japanese Artist Inspired by the Flows of Europe: Fujishima Takeji Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Fujishima Takeji was born in (1867-1943) Kagoshima and he studied brushwork techniques in 1882 from Togaku Hirayama. However, in 1884 Fujishima Takeji moved to Tokyo and at first he studied traditional Japanese painting under Gyokusho Kawabata but the pull…
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