Seaside or Distant View of Awajishima by Takeji Fujishima

Style: Impressionism
Genre: Landscape
Media: Canvas

"Seaside or Distant View of Awajishima" is a stunning landscape painting by the Japanese artist Fujishima Takeji. Painted in the Impressionist style, the canvas depicts a breathtaking view of Awajishima, an island in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan.

The painting is characterized by its use of light and color to capture the natural beauty of the island. The sea is painted in shades of blue and green, with the light reflecting off the waves creating a sense of movement and energy. The sky is painted in soft shades of pink and orange, evoking the tranquility of a summer evening.

In the foreground of the painting, a rocky outcrop juts out into the sea, with a few sparse trees and shrubs growing along its edge. The brushwork here is loose and fluid, conveying a sense of the ruggedness of the landscape.

As the eye moves further into the painting, the viewer is drawn into the distant view of Awajishima. The island is depicted in soft, misty shades of blue and green, blending into the sky and sea around it. The effect is one of tranquility and serenity, as if the island were a distant dream.

Overall, "Seaside or Distant View of Awajishima" is a stunning example of Fujishima Takeji's mastery of the Impressionist style. Through his use of light and color, he captures the natural beauty of the island and creates a sense of peace and tranquility that is both inspiring and calming. The painting is a testament to the enduring appeal of landscape art and the power of nature to evoke emotion and wonder.

"Takeji Fujishima" by wl.glazewski is licensed under CC PDM 1.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/?ref=openverse&atype=rich

Summer Evening Beside the Lake/アルファベット表記/Evening Breeze at a Lakeside by Fujishima Takeji

Date: 1898 
Style: Impressionism
Genre: Yōga (Western-style) Painting  
Media: Oil  
Dimensions: 152.0×194.4cm
Location: Tokyo University of the Arts, first exhibited at the 3rd Hakuba Kai Exhibition at the 1900 Paris World's Fair


 Summer Evening Beside the Lake (アルファベット表記/Evening Breeze at a Lakeside) is a stunning oil painting by the Japanese artist Fujishima Takeji. Completed in 1898, the painting displays the artist's mastery of Western-style impressionism, a style that was gaining popularity in Japan at the time.

The painting measures approximately 152.0×194.4 cm and is currently housed in the Tokyo University of the Arts. It depicts a serene lakeside scene at dusk, with a group of women dressed in traditional Japanese summer kimonos relaxing by the water's edge. The women are engaged in various activities, such as playing instruments, chatting, and enjoying the cool evening breeze.

The painting's color palette is characterized by soft pastel shades, with a focus on pinks, blues, and greens. The water is painted in shades of blue and purple, reflecting the sky above. The foliage on the trees is depicted in varying shades of green, while the flowers are depicted in delicate pinks and whites.

Fujishima's use of light and shadow is particularly impressive in this painting, as he captures the subtle changes in the light as day turns to night. The painting's impressionistic style is evident in the loose, fluid brushstrokes that convey a sense of movement and energy, while the soft focus and blurred edges give the scene a dreamlike quality.

Overall, Summer Evening Beside the Lake is a beautiful example of Western-style impressionism in Japanese art. It highlights Fujishima Takeji's skillful use of color and light to create a serene, atmospheric scene that transports the viewer to a peaceful lakeside setting. The painting's inclusion in the 1900 Paris World's Fair and its exhibition at the 3rd Hakuba Kai Exhibition attests to its status as a masterpiece of Japanese art.

"Fujishima Takeji - Summer Evening Beside the Lake" by irinaraquel is licensed under CC PDM 1.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/?ref=openverse&atype=rich

Hiroshi Yoshida, The Artist

Photo of Hiroshi Yoshida 

Hiroshi Yoshida was a Japanese artist who lived from 1876 to 1950. He is best known for his landscape prints, which combined traditional Japanese techniques with Western-style realism. Yoshida began his career as a painter, studying at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts and the Western-style painting department of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

In the early 1920s, Yoshida turned his attention to printmaking, developing a unique style that incorporated the vivid colors and intricate designs of traditional Japanese woodblock prints with the realistic detail and perspective of Western-style painting. He traveled extensively throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States, creating prints that captured the beauty and diversity of the natural world.

Yoshida was a master of the woodblock printing process, using multiple blocks to layer colors and create complex designs. He also experimented with different printing techniques, such as the use of metallic pigments and embossing to create texture and depth.

Yoshida's prints are highly sought after by collectors and are considered some of the finest examples of modern Japanese printmaking. His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world and is renowned for its beauty, technical mastery, and ability to evoke a sense of place and atmosphere. Yoshida's legacy as an artist and printmaker continues to influence and inspire artists today.

By Unknown author - 『海洋発展史』海洋協会、1942年, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=56520646

Nude at the Mirror by Hiroshi Yoshida

 The painting is an oil on canvas work created in 1922, and it depicts a female nude standing in front of a mirror, examining her reflection. The painting is characterized by its use of light and shadow, as well as its soft, muted colors. The woman's body is rendered in delicate, subtle brushstrokes, emphasizing the natural curves and contours of her form.

The painting is notable for its departure from Yoshida's usual subject matter of landscapes and prints, and it reflects his interest in Western-style painting and the human form. It is also an example of the influence of Art Nouveau on Japanese art during the early 20th century, as seen in the flowing lines and organic shapes of the woman's body and the decorative elements of the mirror frame.

"Nude at the Mirror" is held in the collection of the Hiroshi Yoshida Museum in Nagano, Japan, and it is considered a rare and significant work in the artist's oeuvre.

"[ Y ] Hiroshi Yoshida - Nude at the Mirror (1927)" by Cea. is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse&atype=rich

Kitagawa Utamaro, The Artist

Portrait of Kitagawa Utamaro

Kitagawa Utamaro was a Japanese artist who lived from the mid-18th century to the early 19th century. He was a master of ukiyo-e, a genre of woodblock printing that flourished during the Edo period in Japan and is best known for his depictions of beautiful women, known as bijin-ga, or "pictures of beauties".

Utamaro's prints were characterized by their elegant lines, delicate colors, and attention to detail, particularly in the rendering of clothing and accessories. His portraits of women were known for their sensitivity and realism, capturing the grace and charm of their subjects in a way that was both flattering and expressive.

Utamaro was also renowned for his series of prints that documented the daily lives of geisha, courtesans, and other women in the pleasure quarters of Edo. These prints, known as ukiyo-e shunga, or "spring pictures", depicted erotic scenes and were often censored or banned by the authorities.

Utamaro's influence on Japanese art and culture was significant, and his work had a lasting impact on the development of ukiyo-e and other Japanese art forms. He was revered by later generations of artists and his prints remain popular with collectors and art enthusiasts today.

By attributed to Chōbunsai Eishi (1756 - 1829) - British Museum - https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/A_1913-0501-0-402, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=115353167

Katsushika Hokusai, The Artist

Portrait of Katsushika Hokusai by his disciple Keisai Eisen

Katsushika Hokusai was a Japanese artist who lived during the late Edo period (18th-19th centuries). He is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists in the history of Japanese art and is particularly known for his woodblock prints, which depict a wide range of subjects, from landscapes and nature scenes to everyday life and mythology.

Hokusai began his career as an apprentice to a woodblock printmaker, and he later worked as an illustrator and printmaker for various publishers in Edo (now Tokyo). He is best known for his series of prints titled ""Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji"", which depicts the iconic mountain from different angles and in various weather conditions. The series includes the famous print ""The Great Wave off Kanagawa,"" which has become one of the most recognizable images in the history of art.

Hokusai was a prolific artist who worked in many different styles and mediums over the course of his long career. In addition to woodblock prints, he also created paintings, sketches, and illustrations for books and magazines. He was particularly interested in the natural world and often incorporated elements of nature into his work, such as plants, animals, and landscapes.

Hokusai's influence on Japanese and Western art was significant, and his work had a lasting impact on the development of Japonisme in Europe and America. He remains a beloved figure in the world of art and continues to inspire artists and art lovers around the world today.

By Keisai Eisen - http://archive.wul.waseda.ac.jp/kosho/he13/he13_04158/he13_04158_p0056.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51992533

Le bol à thé by Kitagawa Utamaro

"Le bol à thé de Kitagawa Utamaro (musée des arts décoratifs, Paris)" by dalbera is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse&atype=rich

The Great Wave off Kanagawa - Kanazawa Oki Nami Ura by Katsushika Hokusai

The Great Wave off Kanagawa, also known as Kanazawa Oki Nami Ura, is one of the most iconic works of Japanese art, created by the artist Katsushika Hokusai in the early 19th century. The painting is part of a series of prints titled "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" and depicts a massive wave towering over several small boats off the coast of Kanagawa (now part of Yokohama).

The image is instantly recognizable and has become a symbol of Japanese art and culture around the world. The composition of the painting is striking, with the massive wave dominating the foreground of the image and Mount Fuji visible in the distance. The boats and their occupants are depicted in small, delicate lines, emphasizing the power and immensity of the wave.

Hokusai's use of color and line in the painting is masterful, creating a sense of movement and drama that is both dynamic and awe-inspiring. The Great Wave off Kanagawa has been praised for its technical skill and artistic vision, and it remains one of the most celebrated works of Japanese art to this day.

The painting has had a lasting impact on the world of art and has been widely reproduced and referenced in popular culture. It has also inspired countless artists and designers, both in Japan and around the world, and has become a beloved symbol of the beauty and power of nature.

"Kanazawa Oki Nami Ura by Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) a traditional Japanese Ukyio-e style illustration of extreme waves bearing down on the boats with a view of Mount Fuji. Digitally enhanced from our own original edition." by Free Public Domain Illustrations by rawpixel is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse&atype=rich

Takashi Murakami, The Artist

A Photo of Takashi Murakami

Takashi Murakami is a contemporary Japanese artist known for his colorful, playful, and often surreal works that combine traditional Japanese art forms with contemporary pop culture. Born in Tokyo in 1962, Murakami studied at Tokyo University of the Arts and later received a Ph.D. in traditional Japanese painting.

Murakami's style is heavily influenced by anime, manga, and other aspects of Japanese popular culture, as well as the Western art movements of Pop Art and Neo-Pop. He is known for his "Superflat" style, which emphasizes the flatness of the picture plane and uses bright colors, bold patterns, and cartoon-like imagery.

Murakami's work spans a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, and installation. He has collaborated with numerous high-profile brands and celebrities, including Louis Vuitton, Kanye West, and Pharrell Williams. He has also founded his own art production company, Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd., which works with other artists and produces a wide range of merchandise featuring Murakami's designs.

Murakami's work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world, and he is widely regarded as one of the most important contemporary artists working today. His work has been praised for its innovative use of traditional Japanese art forms and its ability to bridge the gap between high and low culture, bringing new audiences to the world of contemporary art.

By Sodacan - Own work, photograph taken by uploader, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11496550

Giant Magical Princess by

 "Giant Magical Princess" is a monumental sculpture by Takashi Murakami that was unveiled in 2019. The sculpture features a larger-than-life-sized girl wearing a traditional Japanese-style dress adorned with various patterns and designs, including the artist's signature flower motifs. Her face is modeled after the popular anime and manga character, Sailor Moon.

The sculpture is made of fiberglass and stands over 30 feet tall, with a diameter of approximately 26 feet. It was created in collaboration with the Japanese production company Kaiyodo, which is known for its anime and manga figures.

The sculpture is part of a series of works by Murakami that explore the intersection between traditional Japanese culture and contemporary pop culture. Murakami has described "Giant Magical Princess" as a "fusion of the sacred and the profane," highlighting the ways in which traditional Japanese culture has been transformed and commodified by modern-day consumerism.

"Giant Magical Princess" has been exhibited at several museums and galleries around the world, including the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo and the Perrotin Gallery in New York. Its towering size and colorful, playful aesthetic have made it a popular subject of social media posts and a symbol of Murakami's unique approach to contemporary art.

"Takashi Murakami's Giant Magical Princess, Pop Life Exhibition, Tate Modern, London." by Jim Linwood is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse&atype=rich

Yayoi Kusama, The Artist

Photo of Yayoi Kusama's wax image

Located in Madame Tussauds' Hong Kong wax museum, created her image at 87 year old.  The museum dedicated a zone that will include Kusama’s signature polka dots, emblazoned in black on yellow walls, along with a hanging pumpkin sculpture.  

Yayoi Kusama was born in 1929 into a well-off but dysfunctional family in Nagano, Japan.  She endured years of cruelty from her mother, the infidelities of her father, and her family’s unacceptance and even discouragement of her desire to do artwork.  Nevertheless, she started painting at the age of 10 and continued despite her parents.  She relied on her artwork as a therapeutic outlet and when she began experiencing hallucinations, she used this mental state to fuel her creativity and to express her state of mind.  
As a young adult, Kusama studied traditional Japanese painting in Kyoto but decided that it wasn’t what she wanted to do, dropped out and in 1958 moved to New York.  In New York she felt free to explore her art without restraints and even thought about starting her own art movement.  She began by making large-scale monochromatic paintings, for which she quickly gained critical attention. By the 1960s, she was well-established in the art world and created many paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations, even dabbling in fashion and film. In 1969, she founded Kusama Enterprises, a commercial outlet selling clothing, bags, and cars. The products she sold had her unique Kusama signature stamp, characterized using polka dots and the repeating patterns she was so drawn to using.  
In 1973, Kusama returned to Japan. Two years later, seeking treatment for her obsessive-compulsive neurosis, she entered a facility where she lives and works to this day. She continues to produce paintings and sculpture, and, in the 1980s, added poetry and fiction to her range of creative pursuits
How would one categorize Yayoi’s body of work?  If it was up to her, she would say that she does not associate with any traditional styles and that her style is purely her own.  People have said her art has similarities to Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, Pop art, and Feminist art. In any event, what is known is that Yayoi Kusama is one of the most recognizable contemporary Japanese artists in the world and has created an amazing legacy. 

By Garry Knight - https://www.flickr.com/photos/garryknight/8317472647, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38789907

Pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama

Date: 1994.  
Dimensions: 2 meters tall x 2.5 meters wide 
Material: Fiberglass-reinforced plastic

Yayoi Kusama’s sculpture, Pumpkin looks over the Seto Inland Sea on Naoshima Island, Japan.   The sculpture was first shown at the 1994 Naoshima exhibition.  Kusama has used pumpkins as her theme for many of her sculptures, but what separates this sculpture apart is not only its larger size, but that it was designed with the location in mind.  Set on a pier, overlooking the ocean and trees, the yellow of the pumpkin really pops against nature’s blues and greens.  

In August of 2021, the Pumpkin sculpture was swept away to sea by huge waves during a typhoon and was found broken into three large pieces. It has since been restored to its original glory and continues to attract visitors from all over the world.  Naoshima, a quiet island with a mere 3,200 residents is now nicknamed, “Art Island” with three art museums and Kusama’s unique piece of artwork.  

"'Pumpkin” by Yayoi Kusama in Naoshima" by jmhullot is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse&atype=rich

"Look Now See Forever" exhibit by Yayoi Kusama

Here is a wonderful example of Yayoi Kusama’s love of using dots in her artwork.  Her obsession with dots began at a very early age when she began experiencing hallucinations.  She had a troubled childhood and was terrified by her visions of dots in a floral pattern and bright lights that permeated throughout her bedroom.  She escaped these hallucinations by painting them.  The more dots she created the better she felt.  Today, she continues to draw and create using dots and patterns as her preferred objects.  She now lives in an institution and is reported to be lonely.  Her artwork is her way of coping. 

"Yayoi Kusama, Parc Villette Paris" by austinevan is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse&atype=rich

Fujishima Takeji, The Artist

A Photo of Fujishima Takeji

Fujishima Takeji (藤島 武二, October 15, 1867 – March 19, 1943) was a Japanese painter, known for developing Romanticism and Impressionist art within the yoga (Western-style) art movement in late 19th- and early 20th-century. In 1905, he traveled to France and became impressed with Impressionism. Although, later in life, Art Nouveau would make its way into his work.  
Fujishima was born to an ex-samurai class household in Kagoshima, Japan. After studying art at middle school, he left home in 1884 to pursue his art studies in Tokyo.  It was in Tokyo where he discovered yōga-style painting, a new western technique for painting with oils.   His final graduation piece of artwork was executed in this yōga-style and was chosen to be displayed at the 3rd Meiji Art Association Exhibition in 1891, a huge honor.  
After a short stint as an elementary school assistant teacher, he decided to become an assistant professor at Tokyo Art School's Western Painting Department in 1896. In 1905, he moved to France in order to study the techniques of historical painting and portraiture.  He returned to Tokyo and the Tokyo Art School in 1910 as a professor and became a member of the Imperial Art Academy. In 1937, he was one of the first recipients of the newly created Order of Culture of the Japanese government.

By Unknown author - [1] Mie Prefectural Museum, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9032604

A woman kissing a flower or Butterflies by Fujishima Takeji

Date: 1904
Style: Art Nouveau (Modern)
Genre: Painting
Medium: Oil on canvas
Location: Private
Dimensions: 43.5 cm x 43.5 cm

"A Woman Kissing a Flower or Butterflies" is a beautiful oil painting by the Japanese artist Fujishima Takeji. Completed in 1904, the painting reflects the artist's interest in Art Nouveau, a popular art movement that emerged in the late 19th century and was characterized by its ornate, decorative style.

The painting, which measures 43.5 cm x 43.5 cm, features a young woman dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono, holding a flower up to her face as if to kiss it. Surrounding her are several colorful butterflies, which seem to be drawn to the flower's beauty.

The painting's color palette is dominated by pastel shades of pink, blue, and green, which create a delicate, ethereal atmosphere. Fujishima's use of light and shadow is particularly impressive, as he captures the subtle variations in light that create depth and dimensionality in the painting.

The woman's pose and expression are gentle and contemplative, evoking a sense of quiet introspection. The butterfly motif is a common element in Art Nouveau, symbolizing the ephemeral nature of beauty and the transience of life.

Overall, "A Woman Kissing a Flower or Butterflies" is a masterful example of Fujishima's style and vision, combining traditional Japanese motifs with the ornate, decorative style of Art Nouveau. The painting's delicate beauty and sense of quiet contemplation make it a cherished work of art and a testament to the enduring appeal of Fujishima's work.

"Fujishima Takeji" by wl.glazewski is licensed under CC PDM 1.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/?ref=openverse&atype=rich