Exhibition of Kanzan Shimomura
This retrospective exhibition of Kanzan Shimomura, held in the Kanto region for the first time in 13 years, explores the trajectory and multifaceted appeal of his art.Summary
This retrospective exhibition of the Japanese painter Kanzan Shimomura (1873-1918) is the first to be held in the Kanto region in 13 years, featuring approximately 150 works. Born into a family of Noh actors serving the Kii Tokugawa clan, Shimomura studied under Hōgai Kanō and was a first-term student at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. He later resigned with Director Tenshin Okakura to participate in the establishment of the Japan Fine Arts Academy (Nihon Bijutsuin). The exhibition traces his artistic growth, from his early prominence mastering Kano school and Yamato-e techniques, to gaining a global perspective through two years of study in England, positioning him as a leader in the art world alongside his close allies Yokoyama Taikan and Hishida Shunso, as they strove to forge a new style of painting fit for the Meiji era. Furthermore, the exhibition sheds light on his research into ancient Japanese and Chinese paintings, his works themed on Noh (his family's roots), and his salon network with political and financial figures. This approach reveals Shimomura's pursuit of art that lives alongside society and its individuals, distinct from mere self-expression, as he re-examined the nature of painting during the transition from the Meiji to the Taisho eras. The exhibition runs from March 17 to May 10, 2026.
(Source：美術展ナビ)