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.…
Japan poetry and Yosa Buson: Footsteps of Matsuo Basho Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The poetry of Yosa Buson (1716-1784) in Japan is highly acclaimed because his haiku reached the hearts of many. Indeed, despite being a distinctive artist during the Edo Period, it is his haiku that stands out. Hence, the fame that…
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…
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…
Art of Japan and Asai Chu: The altered artistic landscape Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Meiji Restoration of 1868 led to many social convulsions and like all revolutionary periods you had many winners and losers. This applies to individuals who could adapt to the rapid changes in society. Hence, the art world was…
Art of Japan and Sekka: Tranquility despite upheavals Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times If you view the sublime simplicity of art by Kamisaka Sekka (1866-1942) then it is difficult to image the enormous convulsions that hit Japan in this period. Indeed, the lifespan of this amazing artist witnessed many revolutionary changes within Japanese society…
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…
Yosa Buson and Japanese Poetry: In the footsteps of Matsuo Bashō Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The poetry of Yosa Buson (1716-1784) in Japan is highly acclaimed because his haiku reached the hearts of many. Indeed, despite being a distinctive artist during the Edo Period, it is his haiku that stands out. Hence, the…
Pierre Bonnard, Japanese Art, and his early artistic life: le Nabi très Japonard Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Pierre Bonnard is known for his love of Japanese art. Despite this, the actual cultural impact of the land of the rising sun remains open to debate outside of art. However, he wasn’t nicknamed…
Yorozu Tetsugoro and Japanese Art: independent artistic soul Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Yorozu Tetsugoro was born in 1885 and died of tuberculosis in 1927 after severe complications from pneumonia that finally took its toll. Sadly, all too often many artists in this period died young and the same fate awaited…
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.…
Ukiyo-e Art of the Meiji Era is Undervalued Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Meiji period (1868-1912) was very dynamic in many ways because of new thinking, modernization, radical change, and a plethora of other factors, altered the cultural landscape in all major cities. However, the countryside often ticked to a different beat despite…
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 Poetry and Yosa Buson: Shadow of Art Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yosa Buson (1716-1784) belongs to the world of Japanese poetry because his haiku is highly acclaimed, saying it mildly. This reality means that his art is secondary despite being a distinctive artist. Therefore, while the art of Buson is regarded with…
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…
Japan Art and Sekka: Artistic Tranquillity despite Political Changes and Upheavals Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times If you view the sublime simplicity of art by Kamisaka Sekka (1866-1942) then it is difficult to image the enormous convulsions that hit Japan in this period. Indeed, the lifespan of this amazing artist witnessed many revolutionary changes…
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…
Art of Japan and Edgar Degas: Fusions of Ideas Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Ukiyo-e inspired many artists in distant lands and this includes Edgar Degas, who came to admire this Japanese art form. Edgar Degas (1834-1917) was born in Paris into a wealthy family and he was blessed to study at the Ecole…
Japanese Art and Le Nabi Tres Japonard: Pierre Bonnard and his thoughts Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artistic genius of Pierre Bonnard was far from the mind of his father because he had hoped that his son would become a barrister. At the same time, the sweeping political changes in Japan meant that…
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 Art and Poetry: Yosa Buson and Impact of China Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yosa Buson (1716-1784) belongs to the world of Japanese poetry because his haiku is highly acclaimed, saying it mildly. This reality means that his art is secondary despite being a distinctive artist. Therefore, while the art of Buson is…
Folklore and Art by Kyosai: Tengu and Changing Nature within Buddhism and Shintoism Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Kawanabe Kyosai is fascinating because of his individualistic spirit and this is witnessed in his art. Kyosai, just like the mysterious Tengu, belonged to two worlds and this applies to the old Edo…
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…
Meiji Ukiyo-e Art is Undervalued Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Meiji Period (1868-1912) was very dynamic in many ways because of new thinking, modernization, radical change, and a plethora of other factors, altered the cultural landscape in all major cities. However, the countryside often ticked to a different beat despite important reforms and…
Influence of Paris Art Scene for Alfred Sisley and Fujishima Takeji Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Alfred Sisley and Fujishima Takeji were both born in the nineteenth century and their common factors apply to the stunning art they produced and the richness of Paris which influenced both artists. They both also studied at the Ecole…
Edgar Degas Adored Japanese Art: Ideas of Distance, Impressionism, and art of the Renaissance Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Ukiyo-e inspired many artists in distant lands and this includes Edgar Degas, who came to admire this Japanese art form. Edgar Degas (1834-1917) was born in Paris into a wealthy family and he was blessed…
Utamaro and Impact of Japanese Art: Impressionism and Bijin-ga 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 of Japan and Keisai Eisen: Tenaciousness in Adversity Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The artist Keisai Eisen (1790-1848) matured quickly based on many deaths within his family. This reality meant that Eisen was extremely brave to focus on art because of the enormous uncertainty of making a living in this field. Eisen also…
Yoshu Chikanobu (1838-1912) and Japanese Art: New Japan Emerges 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. However, it also was…
Art of Japan and Yorozu Tetsugoro: Creativity and Freedom Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yorozu Tetsugoro was born in 1885 and died of tuberculosis in 1927 after severe complications from pneumonia that finally took its toll. Sadly, all too often many artists in this period died young and the same fate awaited this genius…
Fujishima Takeji and Japanese Art: Romanticism and Impressionism of European Art Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Fujishima Takeji was born in (1867-1943) Kagoshima and during his informative years 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…
