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…
Buddhism and Sengai Gibon: Buddhist contemplation and artistic outreach 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, enticing…
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…
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…
Sengai Gibon and Rinzai Buddhism: Artistic Outreach and Buddhist Contemplation 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 Kiyoo: Social and political convulsions but artistic 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…
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 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…
Art of Japan and richness of religion: Modern times and fusions of the past Tomoko Hara and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Shinto faith runs deep throughout Japanese religion even when outwardly Buddhism may appear predominant. This is based on fusions and gentle ideas that have penetrated various different Buddhist sects. Indeed, even…
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…
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…
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 Culture under Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582): Christianity to Liberalization Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The warlord Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) was extremely multi-dimensional despite his harsh reputation. This single figure in Japanese history laid the foundation stone for the centralization of Japan based on his tenacity, creativity, openness to new thought patterns –…
Spice of Ukiyo-e and Art of Japan: Kami of Shinto and Mountains in Blue Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The modern Japanese artist, Sawako Utsumi, hails from northern Japan. In this article, the focus is on three recent art pieces related to stunning mountains. Unlike this art piece, the faith of Shinto played a…
Rinzai Buddhism and Japanese Art: Outreach dimensions of Sengai Gibon Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Sengai Gibon (1750-1837) is a famous individual in Japanese art and history. This is based on his art, spirituality, and unique approach to life. He belongs to the Rinzai School of Buddhism and true to the nature of this…
Japan Artist and the Frailty of Life: Yuzo Saeki and his one-sided love affair with France 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…
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…
Art of Sengai Gibon and Rinzai Buddhism: Buddhist Contemplation and Artistic Outreach 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…
Jakushitsu Genkō (1290-1367) and Buddhist Poetry in old Japan 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 statement…
Art of Japan: Kanae Yamamoto Overcame Economic Adversity (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 themes. At the…
Japanese Art and the Real Eternity’s Gate of Yuzo Saeki in the Mirror of Van Gogh Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Shortly before Van Gogh died he painted “At Eternity’s Gate” in 1890 after doing the same image as a lithograph eight years before. The image of this art piece is extremely powerful and…
Japanese Artist Inspired by Diverse Art Themes: Hayami and Flows of Time Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Gyoshu Hayami (1894-1935) sadly passed away at a relatively young age. However, despite this, the power of history and momentous changes influenced his artistic soul. Indeed, Gyoshu Hayami highlights much about the history of Japanese art based…
Japanese Art and Kanae Yamamoto (Part Two): Impact of 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…
Japanese Art and Kanae Yamamoto (Part One): Difficult Early Years 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 themes. At the…
Japanese Buddhist Poetry by Jakushitsu (1290-1367): Why pursue words, when one truly seeks silence? 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…
Art of Japan and the Real Eternity’s Gate of Yuzo Saeki in the Mirror of Van Gogh Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Shortly before Van Gogh died he painted “At Eternity’s Gate” in 1890 after doing the same image as a lithograph eight years before. The image of this art piece is extremely powerful…
Art, Christianity, Culture, and Liberalization under Famous Japanese Warlord Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The warlord Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) was extremely multi-dimensional despite his harsh reputation. This single figure in Japanese history laid the foundation stone for the centralization of Japan based on his tenacity, creativity, openness to new thought patterns – and understanding…
Art of Japan and Rinzai Buddhism: Buddhist Contemplation of Sengai Gibon to Artistic Outreach Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Sengai Gibon (1750-1837) is a famous individual in Japanese art and history. This is based on his art, spirituality, and unique approach to life. He belongs to the Rinzai School of Buddhism and true to…
Japanese Artist Inspired by the Middle Kingdom of China and European Art Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Gyoshu Hayami (1894-1935) was extremely inquisitive and this applies to various art forms emanating from Japan to modern European art. On top of this, Hayami also adored the rich reality of Chinese art that…
Isolated Japanese Buddhist Monk in Art and Shinto Shrine by Sawako Utsumi Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times 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 or equally shatter the myths of hidden meanings. In this…
Japan Art and Paris: Yuzo Saeki, A Love of France that Evaded Him and Frailty of Life 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…
Japanese Art, Culture and Religion: Fusions of Distant Times and Modern Society Tomoko Hara and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Shintoism runs deep throughout Japanese religion even when outwardly Buddhism may appear predominant. This is based on fusions and gentle ideas that have penetrated various different Buddhist sects. Indeed, even when it appears that…
