“Nihon-ga” Modern Japanese Paintings Exhibition
Retrospective of 1985-1986 international traveling exhibition
sponsored by Wacoal and Kyocera
| | | | August 25, 2009
Office of the “Nihon-ga” Exhibition Planning Committee
(inside of WACOAL HOLDINGS CORP.)
An exhibition of a collection of paintings by 45 of Japans most representational post-war era artists, entitled “Nihon-ga,” will be held at The Museum of Kyoto from October 2 through November 15, 2009.
Roughly 25 years ago, Kyocera Corporation and Wacoal Corporation (now Wacoal Holdings Corp.) presented a plan to engage in meaningful international goodwill not only through economic activity, but also through the sharing of culture and arts, and sponsored an international tour of artwork entitled Modern Japanese Paintings, which was displayed in 7 cities across 5 countries — including Paris, London, Barcelona and Los Angeles — from February 1985 through November 1986. The upcoming “Nihon-ga” exhibition is a retrospective of that international tour, comprising 45 of the original 48 artists works.
"Yugen - Mountain Mist" by Kaii Higashiyama
Background
During the 1980s, Japans place in the international community was rising in prominence, however, various problems were mounting with other countries arising from economic friction. In the midst of that atmosphere, the Modern Japanese Paintings exhibition was proposed by Wacoal Corporation and Kyocera Corporation — both headquartered in Kyoto City. The goal of the exhibition was to build truly amicable international relations and deepen mutual understanding and trust through international exchange of culture and arts by introducing to the world Japans unique “Nihon-ga” (Japanese paintings), which has been cultivated with a traditional sense of beauty since ancient times.
At that time, Wacoal President Koichi Tsukamoto and Kyocera President Kazuo Inamori participated in the planning committee for the exhibition and invited Michiaki Kawakita, then director of The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto to be the representative of the committee. Located in Kyoto — the birthplace of Japanese culture — the two companies founders were united in their mission to realize the exhibition, and poured tremendous effort into the project. The Modern Japanese Paintings exhibit was a collection of works by 48 artists, including those at the top as well as up-and-comers in the Japanese art world, forming a groundbreaking group of work that transcended various schools, the likes of which had never been seen before, eventually traveling the world for two years as a great success for international exchange.
As Kyocera celebrates its 50th anniversary, and Wacoal celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, the two companies would like to show their gratitude to the community through presenting the “Nihon-ga” exhibition commemorative project which gives rebirth to the Modern Japanese Paintings exhibition that toured the world 24 years ago.
Through the “Nihon-ga” exhibition, the 45 artists works — which have been in the safekeeping of the two companies — will be assembled together once again after 24 years, allowing the public to view these gems of Japanese post-war art world masters and experience the elegance of Japanese culture. By reaffirming that beauty, we would be extremely happy if we can contribute to the further development of Japanese culture which was born here in Kyoto. I sincerely ask for your support and cooperation.
“Nihon-ga” Exhibition Planning Committee
Representative, Yoshikata Tsukamoto
Paintings
Paintings from 45 representational artists of the post-war Japan art world
45 pieces of work, all 116cm × 91cm
Details of the Exhibition
| Exhibition | “Nihon-ga”
Rebirth in Kyoto of the Modern Japanese Paintings exhibition organized by Wacoal and Kyocera which toured Europe and the U.S. from 1985-1986 to share Japanese culture with the world | | Dates | Oct 2 (Fri) Nov 15, 2009 (Sun)
10:00 19:30 (last admission 30min prior to closing)
Closed Mondays (when Monday is a holiday, the following day will be closed) | | Entrance Fee | General: ¥500 (¥400)*; University students: ¥400 (¥320)*; Elementary,
middle and high school students: Free
*( ) rate for group of 20 or more | | Location | The Museum of Kyoto
3rd floor Fine Arts Exhibition Room (approx. 600sq. meters)
Sanjo-Takakura, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City 604-8183
TEL: 075-222-0888 FAX: 075-222-0889
http://www.bunpaku.or.jp/ | | Sponsors | “Nihon-ga” Exhibition Planning Committee
The Museum of Kyoto, Nihon Keizai Shimbun Newspaper,
The Kyoto Shimbun Newspaper | | Co-Sponsors | Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefectural Board of Education,
Kyoto City Board of Education, Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry | | Special Cooperation | Wacoal Holdings Corp., Kyocera Corporation | | Cooperation | Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., Suntory Holdings Limited |
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