7. Painting Circles

 There are three circles on Japanese painting. Each circles has history and different characteristic. I introduce them in this week. They are interesting individually.

Nihonbijutuin (日本美術院)

History

Nihonbijutuin is the study circle that was founded to achieve the maintenance and development of Japanese painting by Tenshin Okakura. Tenshin was principal of Tokyo School of Fine Arts originally. He left it, and he thought that establishment of bijutuin(美術院 study place of art) was necessary in art school. So he founded this circle with Japanese painting artists who resigned the school together. Exhibitions of region were held actively from the beginning. Then magazines named “nihonbijutu,”and workshop were set up. And extensive actives, for example repair of national treasure, were developed under Tenshin’s directions. However, new technique that was created there suffered severe reputation. This technique received a favorable review foreign country, but Nihonbijutuin broke down on management. In 1904, Nihonbijutuin revised regulation and changed organization. And Tenshin and other artists moved Goura. They live there in rigor, but they created works that received a favorable review in the life.

　In 1913, Tenshin died. However, spitits of Tenshin was taken over, and Nihonbijutuin was revived. Then Nihonbijutuin was leaded now. And now, this is for only Japanese painting.

Exhibitions

 Exhibition of Nihonbijutuin is known by the name of “inten(院展).” Inten was constituted coterie and public. It has two exhibitions.

Inten of spring (春の院展)

This is held from the beginning of April for two weeks at Mitsukoshi's flagship store in Nihonbashi, Tokyo every year. It go the round of 10 spots of Japan for four mouths.

Revival Inten (再興院展)

This is held from the beginning of September for two weeks at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum every year. It go round of 10 spots of Japan for a year. The regulation size is bigger than Inten of spring.

Artists (I introduce them next week)

Ikuo Hirayama / Toshio Tabuchi / Chiori Miyakita

The SOGA-kai（創画会）

The SOGA-kai was settle up as creative art in 1948. This association seeks new Japanese painting and this is unconcerned about traditional Japanese painting. Style is free in comparison with other cycles.

Exhibition

SOGA-ten of spring

This exhibition is a size 50 Japanese painting. It is held in Tokyo, Kyoto and other prefecture.

SOGA-ten

This exhibition is a size 150 Japanese painting. It is held in Tokyo, Kyoto, Aichi and other prefecture.

Artists(I introduce them next week.)

 Huku Akino / Aguri Uchida

Ｎｉｔｔｅｎ(日展) 

History
In 1900, Nobuaki Makino who was Austria Minister at that time wanted to hold public exhibition because he realized oversea culture keenly. He became the Minister of Education and achieved this dream in 1906. And next years, exhibition sponsored by the Ministry of Education (Bunten) was held for the first time. Bunten changed name again and again, and then it became “Nitten.” Nitten has lead art world of Japan and made long history, about 100 years.
Nitten has five parts of arts, including Japanese painting.
(Five parts … Japanese painting, Western painting, carving, industrial arts, calligraphy)

Exhibition
 It is held on autumn in The National Art Center (Tokyo) every year.




 I went to these exhibition last year. I felt that these has different atmosphere. I think you can't see this only reading this blog. So I recommend you to go these exhibition.

Next week, I'm going to introduce modern artists. See you!



Possible Sources: Nihonbijutuin HP (http://nihonbijutsuin.or.jp/)
                        　The SOGA-kai HP (http://www.sogakai.or.jp/)
                       　 Nitten HP (http://www.nitten.or.jp/)