Zen Buddhism and Japanese Art: Taking Rinzai Buddhism to the rural poor Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The holy Buddhist monk Hakuin Ekaku revived the school of Rinzai Buddhism based on taking Zen Buddhism far and wide. Indeed, his upbringing meant that he never lost touch with people at the bottom of the ladder,…
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…
Sugawara Mitsushige and Buddhism: Bodhisattva Kannon and the Middle Kingdom Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The passing of time never dampens the beauty of the thirteenth-century Japanese calligrapher Sugawara Mitsushige. Indeed, just like the words of Buddha remain timeless, then images of chapter 25 of the “Universal Gate” representing Bodhisattva Kannon equally remain timeless…
The ethics of Confucius and the Japanese artist Tanomura Chikuden Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Tanomura Chikuden (1777-1835) lived during the Edo period in the land of the rising sun. From a young age the teachings of Confucius appealed greatly during his young adulthood, therefore, Tanomura Chikuden thought heavily about becoming…
Art of Japan in a changing environment: Paris and Saburosuke Okada Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Saburosuke Okada (1869-1939) was born one year after the Meiji Restoration of 1868 and he would witness many changes throughout his life. This applies to the Meiji Era, the Taisho Era, and the early part of the Showa…
Japanese culture and literature: A female tale that lasts the centuries Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Murasaki Shikibu (Lady Murasaki) is the most famous Japanese lady in history because she wrote The Tale of Genji. However, many areas remain foggy about her life based on the passages of time. It is often stated that…
Art of Japan and the remaining shadow of Shintoism Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Buddhist temples from various sects appear to dominate the religious discourse in Japan but inwardly the faith of Shintoism remains within the soul, irrespective of cultural, religious, or secular. Indeed, the splendor of ultra-modern cities, for example, Tokyo and Osaka,…
Art of Japan and Nichiren Buddhism in the soul of Rinpa art Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Japanese historical art is blessed with many forms inspired internally and from the richness of ancient China and Korea. At the same time, religious and philosophical influence naturally flowed within the historical legacy of Japanese art. Therefore,…
Japan art and the legacy of Tensho Shubun: Buddhism to the power of the Middle Kingdom Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Tensho Shubun was deeply influenced by landscape artists from the Middle Kingdom (China). Indeed, Shubun is noted for being one of the founding fathers of introducing Chinese-style ink painting in…
Japanese artist touch to Esaias van de Velde: Light of Japan on Dutch art of yesteryear 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,…
Katsukawa Shunshō (1726-1793) and art of Japan Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist called Katsukawa Shunshō isn’t particularly famous outside of Japan. Indeed, even in Japan, he is hardly among the first individuals to think about when focusing on artists during the Edo Period. Yet, Shunshō’s legacy is extremely rich based on…
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…
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…
Japanese Art and Ando Hiroshige: Multiple Dimensions Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Ando Hiroshige is deemed to be one of the finest artists to bless the country of Japan. On top of this, this amazing artist also influenced famous artists like Van Gogh. Not surprisingly, Hiroshige left behind a lasting impression on the imagination…
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…
Japanese Art and the Rich Legacy of China and Confucianism: Tanomura Chikuden Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Tanomura Chikuden (1777-1835) graced the world of Japanese art because he flowed naturally within the world of bunjin-ga (literati painting) during the Edo Period. He, and other bunjin-ga artists, equally highlight that while Japan was mainly isolated…
Art of Zen Buddhism in Japan: Hakuin Ekaku Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The holy Buddhist monk Hakuin Ekaku revived the school of Rinzai Buddhism based on taking Zen Buddhism far and wide. Indeed, his upbringing meant that he never lost touch with people at the bottom of the ladder, in terms of wealth.…
Narashige Koide and art of Japan: Intriguing artist Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yoga (Western-style) portraiture art and expressions of still life by Narashige Koide remain deeply embedded when thinking about this artist. Koide continued to develop through his relatively short life because he died at the age of 43. Near the end of…
Yokoyama Taikan and art of Japan: Creativity and the sentiments of the time Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Yokoyama Taikan (1868-1958) was born in the prefecture of Ibaraki but he moved to Tokyo in 1878. This period of history in Japan would witness many events because time didn’t stand still during the Meiji, Taisho,…
Adorable landscapes by Utagawa Kuniyoshi Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Utagawa Kuniyoshi is among the crème de la crème of ukiyo-e artists because his artwork remains powerful in modern times. Kuniyoshi, just like other famous Japanese artists like Ando Hiroshige and Katsushika Hokusai, was very diverse. This is because the window of a new…
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…
Japanese Poetry and Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902): The shadow of death Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The famous Japanese poet Masaoka Shiki was born in 1867 just one year before the Meiji Restoration of 1868. Sadly, his time on this earth would be short because the shadow of tuberculosis would blight his life from 1888/1889…
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…
Ninth Century Japanese Art: Kose Kanaoka and the Cultural Richness of the Middle Kingdom Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times A great deal of information isn’t forthcoming in the English-speaking world when it comes to Kose Kanaoka. Indeed, even conjecture remains about the art he produced. This is based on the last known surviving…
Japan Artist and English Landscapes: Laburnum Tree, Brailsford Church, and Shinto Themes Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The recent oil painting by Sawako Utsumi, a Japanese contemporary artist, of a laburnum tree fits eloquently with her watercolor of a Christian Church in Brailsford, Derbyshire. This is based on the connection of the color yellow…
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…
Art of Japan and the influence of the Middle Kingdom (China): Xia Gui and Ma Yuan Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Tensho Shubun was inspired by an array of areas related to China. In the realm of art then this notably applies to Xia Gui and Ma Yuan. Other notable areas…
Art of Japan and homage to Maurice Utrillo: the Hidden Soul Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The French artist Maurice Utrillo (1883-1955), just like the British artist L.S. Lowry (1887-1976), are two of the most predominant artists to hail from France and the United Kingdom in the twentieth century. Of course, internationally, Utrillo is…
Art of Japan and Ando Hiroshige: Landscapes to being a Buddhist Monk Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Japanese art internationally focuses overwhelmingly on rich cultural angles in relation to high culture and adorable landscapes by Edo and early Meiji artists based on different artistic concepts. One of the most famous Japanese artists internationally, without…
Shini-e and Art of Japan: “I leave my brush in the East” Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The world of ukiyo-e in Japan also covered the world of death by mainly commemorating artists, kabuki actors, and musicians through the medium of art. True to nature, farewell poems were included along with posthumous names linking…
Saburosuke Okada and Art of Japan: Impact of Paris Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Saburosuke Okada (1869-1939) was born one year after the Meiji Restoration of 1868 and he would witness many changes throughout his life. This applies to the Meiji Era, Taisho Era, and the early part of the Showa period of history.…
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…
