Japan art and folklore: Samurai Taira no Tadamori Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Taira clan was one of the four notable family clans of old Japan. Fujiwara, Minamoto, and Tachibana were the other notable families. Hence, Taira no Tadamori (1096-1153) was a potent samurai leader in 12th-century Japan. Tadamori was known for his…
Japan art and Natori Shunsen: kabuki yakusha-e actor pictures Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Natori Shunsen (1886-1960) was an esteemed Japanese woodblock printer. He is known for his amazing portraits of kabuki actors. However, his own tragic ending of his life – and his wife – was equally dramatic and devastating as the greatest of kabuki…
Japan art and Suzuki Harunobu (1725-1770): Ladies and style Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Suzuki Harunobu (1725-1770) became the most potent artist depicting beautiful ladies (bijin-ga) in the 1760s. Initially, Harunobu was inspired by Nishikawa Sukenobu. However, in time he developed his own distinctive style. Harunobu was instrumental in Nishiki-e (multi-colored woodblock printing). This new multi-colored woodblock…
Japan art in the snow: Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) belongs to the world of Shin-Hanga (New Prints). Throughout his life, he witnessed the dramatic changes that engulfed Japan. However, when viewing his art, you can still feel a connection with the past that provides comfort. These art pieces…
Japan art and Natori Shunsen: Tragedy of life Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese woodblock printer, Natori Shunsen (1886-1960), was an esteemed artist of kabuki actor portraits. His love of kabuki portraits took off when he was an illustrator at Asahi Shimbun. Shortly after his birth, his family left Yamanashi Prefecture and relocated to Tokyo. At the age…
Japan art and Hishida Shunsō: The ticking clock of life Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The amazing art of Hishida Shunsō (1874-1911) is a wonder to behold. However, the ticking clock of life abruptly ended when he was 36 years of age. Therefore, one can only imagine the artistic heights that Shunsō would have reached. Indeed, knowing his…
Japan art and Yamamura Kōka (Toyonari): Meiji to Showa Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Yamamura Kōka (Toyonari) was born in the Meiji Period (1868-1912) and died during the Showa Era. Hence, Yamamura witnessed the growing pains of nationalism, modernity, and the hope of more freedom during the Taisho Period (1912-1926). However, having died in 1942, his last…
Japan art and Buddhism – the mirror of life! Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Kaō Ninga was a holy Japanese Buddhist monk who lived during the Nanboku-chō Period. Hence, he lived during a time of major hierarchical differences. This concerns the Nanboku-chō period (1336-1392) and the lasting convulsions of the demise of the Kamakura…
Japan art and Hishida Shunsō: A life cut short Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Hishida Shunsō (1874-1911) hails from Japan. He was born during the Meiji Period that witnessed momentous changes throughout society. However, if you focus on the art of Shunsō, tranquility flows naturally in his art. Shunsō sadly died at a relatively…
Japan art and culture: Kaihō Yūshō (1533-1615), Buddhism, and China Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Kaihō Yūshō (1533-1615) lived and breathed Buddhism, high culture, the arts, and the richness of Chinese culture. Yūshō was a lay Buddhist priest who fused the arts, ethics, faith, philosophy, and other aspects of Japanese high…
Japan art and the intriguing Hanabusa Itchō (1652-1724) Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Hanabusa Itchō (1652-1724) was born during the Edo Period. He is known for having a lovely artistic free spirit. Hence, while originally being inspired and taught in the classical Kano style, Itchō would abandon this art form and…
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…
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,…
Japanese art during the Nanboku-chō period Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The holy Buddhist monk Kaō Ninga belongs to the world of the Nanboku-chō period of bygone days. However, 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.…
Japanese art and re-connecting people to imagined bygone days 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…
Rinpa art: The bridge of Edo and Meiji on his artistic soul Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Sakai Dōitsu (1845-1913) belongs to the world of Edo and Meiji despite dying in the early Taisho period. Like many artists who spanned a similar timeline, he witnessed enormous convulsions. However, despite the modernization…
Japan Art: Cut down before his artistic prime of life Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Suzuki Reitan (1792-1817) died before his art could bloom like a beautiful flower. Equally, belonging to the world of rinpa (rimpa) art, his focus was on learning past art and techniques while being schooled. Reitan died…
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 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 Buddhist art and Kaō: Fourteenth-century art and the Middle Kingdom Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese painter Kaō Ninga belongs to the world of the fourteenth century. Hence, this Buddhist holy monk imbued high culture and religion within his art. Therefore, immediately you can feel art, Buddhism, cultural dimensions, and ideas. Artistically…
Japanese art and Suzuki Reitan (1792-1817): Early death before full bloom Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Suzuki Reitan (1792-1817) died before his art could bloom like a beautiful flower. Equally, belonging to the world of rinpa (rimpa) art, his focus was on learning past art and techniques while being schooled. Reitan…
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, 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…
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…
Japanese Art and Fusions of Sekka: Nightfall and the Allure of Buddhist Monks and Shintoism Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Japanese Shinto Shrine and Isolated Buddhist Monk Kamisaka Sekka (1866-1942) utilized part of his art by focusing on simplicity but within the realm of sophistication based on hidden meanings. Of course, individuals can create…
Japanese Art, Eisen and the Mirage of Life: View of Shogetsu Pond to Subculture Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times If one views the stunning image of the View of Shogetsu Pond by Keisai Eisen, then only images of tranquility, order, and a nation at peace comes to mind. This reality means that one can…
Art of Japan and Fusions of Kamisaka Sekka: Nightfall and the Allure of Buddhist Monks and Shintoism Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Japanese Shinto Shrine and Isolated Buddhist Monk Kamisaka Sekka (1866-1942) utilized part of his art by focusing on simplicity but within the realm of sophistication based on hidden meanings. Of course, individuals…
Japan Art and Fusions of Sekka by Sawako Utsumi: Buddhist Monks, Shinto and Nightfall Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Japanese Shinto Shrine and Isolated Buddhist Monk Kamisaka Sekka (1866-1942) utilized part of his art by focusing on simplicity but within the realm of sophistication based on hidden meanings. Of course, individuals can create…
Japanese Art and Mirage of Shogetsu Pond by Keisai Eisen Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times If one views the stunning image of the View of Shogetsu Pond by Keisai Eisen, then only images of tranquility, order and a nation at peace comes to mind. It appears that nature, order and a majestic rural life…
Keisai Eisen and Art of Japan: Shogetsu Pond and the Mirage of Life Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times If one views the stunning image of the View of Shogetsu Pond by Keisai Eisen, then only images of tranquility, order and a nation at peace comes to mind. It appears that nature, order and a…
Japanese art and Keisai Eisen: Reality and Unreality and the View of Shogetsu Pond Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times If one views the stunning image of the View of Shogetsu Pond by Keisai Eisen, then only images of tranquility, order and a nation at peace comes to mind. It appears that nature, order and…
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