[Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum] “The UKIYO-E 2020-Japan’s Three Great Ukiyo-e Collection” Preview Report

Torii Kiyocho Owawabata Yomimi Important Cultural Property Hiraki Ukiyo-e Foundation Exhibition until August 10

From Thursday, July 23, 2020, "The UKIYO-E 2020-Japan's Three Great Ukiyo-e Collection" is being held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art. (Until September 22 (Tuesday/holiday)) *Works may be replaced in the first and second semesters)

There was a press preview of this exhibition the other day.
In this article, I will introduce the exhibition, highlights, the composition of the exhibition, and the works featured by the editorial department.
See it!

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What is " The UKIYO-E 2020-Japan's Three Great Ukiyo-e Collection"?

The " The UKIYO-E 2020- Japan's Three Great Ukiyo-e Collections" held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art is no exaggeration to say that it is one of Japan's three major Ukiyo-e collections. The collection of Ukiyo-e masterpieces in the collection will be displayed in the first and second half of the year, with approximately 450 selected masterpieces of Ukiyo-e prints.
You can fully enjoy the charm of Ukiyo-e, a genre of art that represents Japan and was loved by the common people of the Edo period.

Five highlights of "The UKIYO-E 2020-Japan's three largest ukiyo-e collections"

There are five highlights of " The UKIYO-E 2020- Japan's Three Ukiyo-e Collection".

(1 ) This is the first exhibition in history that brings together the three major Ukiyo-e collections.

(2) Representative works of about 60 artists who will show the history of Ukiyo-e will be released at once.

③ Of the approximately 450 items exhibited, 100 or more of important cultural properties and art pieces will be exhibited.

④ The world's only masterpieces such as remaining works are full of merchandise.

⑤ We will be exhibiting the super famous works Hokusai Katsushika "Thirty-six Views of Tomitake" and Hiroshige Utagawa "Gokisosan Tokaido" throughout the year.

Composition of each chapter and featured works by the editorial department

Chapter 1 Early Ukiyo-e

The early Ukiyo-e prints started with "Sumizuri-e", which is a black-and-white ink plate from the Enba era (1673-81).
After that, "Tan-e" (tane), which is a brush-colored sumi-suri painting centered on red, "red-painted" (red), which was colored red and red instead of red (ben-e), black By mixing glue on the part, a glossy "lacquer picture" was created.

Around the Enkai period (1744-48), plate coloring with red and green color plates was performed, and it was named "Benizuri-e" (Benizurie). Establish

In the first chapter, works by painters from the early ukiyo-e era, Hishikawa Morinobu, Kagetsudo School, Okumura Masanobu, Torii Kiyonobu and Kiyobe are exhibited.

[Editor's Featured Works]

● Hishikawa Morinobu "Young people and daughters"

This is a work by Morinobu Hishikawa, the founder of Ukiyo-e prints, depicting men and women nestling alongside the screen.
The simple line drawn in a frame like arabesque and the yellow or red color painted on the line draws attention.

● Kagetsudo Toshige "Standing Beauty"

This is the work by Kagetsuge Toshige, who is said to have the largest number of prints among the Ketsugetsu school that mainly draws hand-painted drawings.
I draw a full screen of a woman standing in front of a kimono.
The dignified appearance of a woman is truly a standing beauty.

●Toshinobu Okumura “Seven and Yoshizo”

It is a work depicting the story of Ochichi and Kichisaburo, who were adapted to Joruri and Kabuki.
It captures the appearance of a greengrocer Oshichi handing a love letter to Yoshisaburo

It is famous that the second character Sanjo Kantaro played the seventh role as a follow-up to Kiyosaburo Arashi, the first generation.
Yoshisaburo of this work can see the crest of the second generation Shichisaburo Nakamura in the costume, but he could not find the Kyogen that Nansaburo played Kisaburo at that time.

Chapter 2 The birth of Nishiki-e

Around 1765, a multicolored print was born, and was called "Azuma Nishikie" in the sense of a beautiful Edo-like painting.

In the second chapter, works by Harunobu Suzuki, Ryusai Isoda, Ichifukusai Buncho, and Haruaki Katsukawa, which were most active in the era of Nishiki-e, were exhibited.

[Editor's Featured Works]

●Harunobu Suzuki “Eight Scenes of Furyu”

This work is based on the traditional Chinese landscape painting title, Shoshohakkei.
It depicts a scene from the story of the "potted tree," which is associated with eight songs.
It's just a broom that wipes off the snow on the roof, but its appearance is elegant and has an atmosphere.

●Hatsuaki Katsukawa "The first generation Nakamura Nakazo Omi Kotota third generation Koji Otani Chuta Bamba"

A scene from Nakamuraza's "Osozen Soga Hinagata"
It is depicted that two of the first generation Nakamura Nakazo, Ota Koto, and the third generation, Otani Koji, Banba Chuta, make a dark match.
The heat of the actor, who plays with a screaming expression, is transmitted through the skin.

Chapter 3 Development of Bijinga and actor painting

During the Tenmei period (1781 to 89), Kiyocho Torii created a graceful and tall beauty painting style and produced many group images.
During the Kansei period (1789 to 1801), Kitagawa Utamaro drew women of various levels.
Tohsusai Sharaku is a painter who has suddenly disappeared less than a year after May 1794 (Kansei 6), but is internationally acclaimed.

In the third chapter, works by Kiyocho Torii, Utamaro Kitagawa, Sharaku Tosusai and Toyokuni Utagawa are exhibited.

[Editor's Featured Works]

● Kiyocho Torii "Yuomi Okawabata"

This work depicts women who enjoy the cool breeze at the riverside.
This is the first exhibition in 40 years.

Summer in Edo begins at the river opening on May 28th.
What will be reflected in the sight of summer where the teahouse girl with the teacup on the left, the woman with a fan in the center, and the women with one foot on the right enjoy summer?

*The downstream of the Sumida River was popular as Okawa at that time.

●Utamaro Kitagawa "Five beautiful women love competing Matsubaya Kisegawa"

The Five-Person Beauty Love Race is a collection of all five figures depicting a beautiful woman who is famous in Edo.
You will be fascinated by the beautiful Edo beauty who has a well-established conspicuousness.
The suppleness of the fingers of a woman with her hand on her chin is also impressive.

● Tohsusai Sharaku "Fujikawa Suigemon of the third generation Sakata Hangoro"

This is one of the series in which the third generation Sakata Hangoro played the role of the thirty-three anniversary memorial service and the third generation Sakata Hangoro played Mizukawa Fujikawa.
The right side of Fujikawa Mizuemon, the eyes that open up, and the arms with raised blood vessels are exactly the appearance of a villain.

● Toyokuni Utagawa “Konoshita Tokichi of the third generation Ichikawa Yaozo”

A work that is said to have been drawn by Tokichi Konoshita in the "Kaien Festival Religious Faith" played by Yazozo Ichikawa, the third generation, in 1796.
The Gion Festival Religion is a story about Tokichi Shimoshita's success in confronting the villain Daizen Matsunaga.
The eye power of Yaozo Ichikawa, the third generation of this painting, is overwhelming.
From that eye, I can feel an unusual will

Chapter 4 Diversifying expressions

In the period of culture and Bunsei (1804-30), Nishiki-e, which had a broad atmosphere, became more detailed and the amount of information drawn on the screen increased.

In the fourth chapter, the works of Kunikawa Utagawa Kunisada (later the name Utagawa Toyokuni) and other works by Kikugawa Hideyama are displayed.

[Editor's Featured Works]

● Hideyama Kikukawa “Higashi Sugata Genji Kogaga”

In one of the assortment comprising a combination of the bust of Genji Karuta and women, it is a work depicting a daughter to read the booklet in the light of the row lights.
I was impressed by the serious expression of a woman who leaned her head and read the booklet diligently to illuminate the page.
It feels like the red of the book, the barrette and the red of the kimono are in harmony.

●Kunisada Utagawa "Red hair oil painting, Eiji Bridge"

It is a collection of landscape paintings drawn in Western style, and among the known ones, there are five figures, "Komo oil painting style" and "Komo oil painting famous spot", respectively, totaling 10 figures.
This work features Nagadaibashi, the fourth bridge built over the Sumida River.
A houseboat is gracefully crossing the Eidai Bridge.

Chapter 5 Nature description and story world

In the early days of the Tempo (1830-33), the "Thirty-six Views of Tomitake" series, which includes "Ukiyo-e prints" by "Katsushika Hokusai" and "Namiura Okiura", will be published.
Around the time of Tempo 4-5 (1833-34), Hiroshige Utagawa's representative work "Tokaido Gotoku Miyoshinouchi" was also produced.

In Chapter 5, works by Hokusai Katsushika, Hiroshige Utagawa, and Kuniyoshi Utagawa are on display.

[Editor's Featured Works]

●Hokusai Katsushika "Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji

Tomi bamboo thirty Rokukei is, by changing the location overlooking the Japan of the name Peak Fuji, is painted works.
Fuji in this work is said to have captured the northern side of Fuji from the vicinity of Lake Kawaguchi.
A total of 46 figures have been produced, and the image of Fuji in Hokusai will be spread throughout the world.
My heart quivers as red Mt. Fuji penetrates the sardines and rises.
You will want to see all 46 figures and compare.

● Hiroshige Utagawa “Tokaido Gotoku Miyoshinouchi Hakone Lake Map”

Tokaido Gotoku Sanninouchi is a collection of masterpieces by Utagawa Hiroshige.
Consisting of 55 figures, the scenery of the journey is depicted lyrically, and the scene that changes with the season, time, and weather is expressed with a sense of reality.

This work depicts Hakone-juku, which was located between Odawara-juku and Mishima-juku, and the steep mountain path was one of the difficult points of the Tokaido.
The colors of the yellow, brown and blue mountains are colorful.
You can see the steep mountain path by looking at the parade of Daimyo who walks in front of you.
Would you like to see Mt. Fuji in the distance and rest a little?

●Kuniyoshi Utagawa “The apparent hakoha is a stranger”

It is a caricature with a taste like a puzzle that gathers several humans and forms a half-length figure of one human.
I laugh at the face and posture of each person.
The gap between the scary face and the facial expressions of the body parts is interesting.

Summary

We have introduced "The UKIYO-E 2020-Japan's three largest ukiyo-e collections".
This is the first exhibition in history that the three major Ukiyo-e collections in Japan have come together.

From the first chapter to the fifth chapter, the exhibition has a volume of about 455 works drawn by about 60 artists in the first half and the second half.
If you are interested, please visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art, as there is rarely a chance to see the wonderful Ukiyo-e.

There are a lot of points, so you may want to first look at the work of the artist you are looking for, and then carefully look at the other works.

*At the venue, as a measure against the new coronavirus, we ask for temperature measurement and disinfection of fingers.
Thoroughly disinfect your hands, wear a mask, and keep your social distance to avoid crowds.

Event outline

Exhibition name: The UKIYO-E 2020-Japan's three largest ukiyo-e collections

■Period: July 23, 2020 (Thurs./holiday) to September 22, 2020 (Tue., holiday)
First semester: Thursday, July 23rd to Sunday, August 23rd Second semester: Tuesday, August 25th to Tuesday, September 22nd
(*All works will be replaced in the first and second semesters *Admission system with specified date and time)

■ Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum Exhibition Room

■Opening hours: 9:30 to 17:30

■Closed days: Monday 17th August, Monday 24th August, Monday 7th September, Monday 14th September

■ Viewing fee:
*This exhibition has a designated date and time. For details, visit the official website of the exhibition ( https://ukiyoe2020.exhn.jp)

*Free for junior high school students and younger, and those with a physical disability certificate, a love certificate, a rehabilitation certificate, a mental illness health welfare certificate, and an A-bomb survivor's health certificate (up to one person). Free application is required)
*Please bring proof of all

■ Exhibition official website: ( https://ukiyoe2020.exhn.jp)