Animals' lovable gestures and graceful forms melt our hearts and, at times, heal them. Animals of all sorts have been depicted, and enjoyed, in Japanese paintings ancient and modern. The Yamatane Museum of Art is pleased to present an exhibition of fascinating paintings of animals by Takeuchi Seihō (1864–1942) and other modern and contemporary nihonga artists for your enjoyment.
Takeuchi Seihō, a leader in the modern Kyoto art world, produced many paintings of animals throughout his career, earning great respect as a master of animal paintings. Tabby Cat (Important Cultural Property), produced in 1924, is both his signature work and a masterpiece among modern nihonga animal paintings. This exhibition presents Tabby Cat for the first time in about four years, alongside sixteen other animal paintings by Seihō and superb works by other artists who excelled in depicting animals—including Nishimura Goun, Nishiyama Suishō, and Hashimoto Kansetsu, who studied with Seihō, and leading members of the Tokyo art world such as Kobayashi Kokei and Okumura Togyū. The exhibition is also joined by a special viewing of Prototype for Illustrated Scrolls of the Arrival of Christianity by Moriya Tadashi—exhibited here for the first time before being donated to the Vatican—providing a rare and precious opportunity to view this work in Japan.
Adorable dogs and cats, heroic horses and oxen, humorous frogs: as you observe this cornucopia of works in which we can sense the warmth of their creators' feelings toward animals, we hope you will enjoy the animal paradise that nihonga have engendered.
Takeuchi Seihō, Tabby Cat [Important Cultural Property]. Color on Silk, Taishō Period, 1924; Yamatane Museum of Art
Takeuchi Seihō, Horned Owl. Color on Silk, Shōwa Period, c. 1933; Yamatane Museum of Art
Takeuchi Seihō, Ducklings. Color on Silk, Shōwa Period, c. 1937; Yamatane Museum of Art
Shibata Zeshin, Urushi-e Lacquer Painting Album "Bokurin Hikka". Lacquer on Paper, Meiji Period, 1877–88; Yamatane Museum of Art
Nishimura Goun, Polar Bear. Color on Silk, Meiji Period, 1907; Yamatane Museum of Art
Kobayashi Kokei, Cat. Color on Paper, Shōwa Period, 1946; Yamatane Museum of Art
Hashimoto Kansetsu, Frosty Morning. Color on Silk, Shōwa Period, c. 1935–44; Yamatane Museum of Art
Hayami Gyoshū, Two Themes on Insect Life: Spider's Trap Beneath the Leaves and Moths Dancing Around the Light. Color on Silk, Taishō Period, 1926; Yamatane Museum of Art
Moriya Tadashi, Prototype for Illustrated Scrolls of the Arrival of Christianity. Color on Paper, Shōwa or Heisei Period, 20th to 21st Century
Approximately 60 works in total are to be displayed.
*All works are the property of the Yamatane Museum of Art, except where otherwise noted.
Adults: 1,300 yen; university and high school students: 1,000 yen; middle school and younger children: free of charge (must be accompanied by an adult)
Disability ID holders and one person accompanying them: 1,100 yen (university and high school students: 900 yen)
*Discount for those wearing kimono: Discount of 200 yen for adults, 100 yen for university and high school students.
*Discounts and special offers cannot be combined.
