Title: A Compiled Painting Album of Different Osaka Artists, Assembled Circa 1950. Compiled works from the Meiji to Showa Periods (Circa 1900-1950), with 13 Double Paged Paintings including Ink Wash Examples, and 1 Double Page of Fine Calligraphy
Author: Assembled by Yano Tetsuzan; Attributed to Yano Tetsuzan; Kitamura Hyakusen; Maki Sakurayama; Yano Hashimura; Kosetsu Sakata; Morinobu Nishikawa; Tsukaguchi Takeka; Mizuta Chikuho; Urashima Shuntou; Maki Ozan
Condition: Very Good
A mid 20th century, beautifully compiled album of paintings from different Osakan artists, comprising of examples from the Late Meiji to Showa Periods. The album has been compiled by one of the participating artists, Yano Tetsuzan, and is also inscribed by him.
There are 13, beautifully produced double pages paintings, including several ink wash examples, and one double page example of fine calligraphy at the beginning. Many of the examples are typical landscape and floral subjects of Sumi-E painting, but there are also creatures and individuals as well. This album serves as a wonderful collaboration of some of Osaka’s more notable artists of the early to mid 20th century.
Of the collaborating painters, at least nine distinct artists are recognized, and listed as such:
- Yano Tetsuzan (1894-1975) was a Japanese painter from the Taisho to Showa Periods. He moved to Tokyo at the age of 18 and studied under Komuro Suiun, then moved to Osaka at the age of 24 and entered his uncle Yano Hashimura's private Osaka Art School. He became a member of the Nippon Nanga-in School and was selected for the Imperial Exhibition for "Kokin Kankei" in 1929 and "Karyō" in 1933. After the war, he became a judge and member of the Nitten Exhibition, and in 1943 founded the All-Japan Ink Painting Association. He passed away at 81.
- Kitamura Hyakusen (1872-?) was a Nanga painter and student of Himejima Chikugai.
- Maki Ozan, a native of Oita. Active from the Taisho to Showa periods. There is evidence that he was also active in Matsuyama and Osaka.
- Yano Hashimura 1890-1965 was a Japanese painter from the Taisho to Showa eras. Born in Ehime Prefecture. At the age of 17, he aimed to become a painter and went to Osaka to study under Nagamatsu Shunyo. In 1919 (Taisho 8), together with Fukuoka Seiran and Naoki Sanjugo, he formed the research group Shuchosha, which aimed to bring about a fundamental reform of culture in Osaka. In 1921 (Taisho 10), he became a member of the Nihon Nanga-in, and in 1924 (Taisho 13), he founded the private Osaka Art School. He was in high spirits and working hard on his creations when he also founded the Osaka Art School in 1924 (Taisho 13). In 1961, he received the Art Academy Prize for "Kinkaede," and in 1964, he became president of the Nihon Nanga-in. He is also known for his illustrations for novels by Yoshikawa Eiji and Hasegawa Shin. His students included Naohara Gyokusei, Shimizu Yoju, and Ohno Maki. His Japanese Nanga paintings based on the Japanese climate were an innovative "New Nanga" style, and he can be said to be an artist who left an important mark on the modern Osaka art world.
- Mizuta Chikuho (1883-1958) was a Nanga painter from the Meiji to Showa periods. Born February 14, 1883. Studied under Himejima Chikugai. From 1912 onwards, his works were repeatedly selected for the Bunten, or Ministry of Education Arts Exhibition, a prestigious and influential annual national arts competition. In 1913 his work "Early Spring" was selected as a special prize winner. In 1917 he founded the Japan Nanga Academy with Kono Shuson and others. He later became a judge for the Teiten exhibition. He passed away on July 11, 1958, at the age of 75.
- Urashima Shuntou was a student of Yamamoto Shunkyo (1871-1933).
- Kosetsu Sakata (1871-1935) was a painter from the Meiji to early Showa period. Born in 1871. Learned ukiyo-e under Ogata Gekko. Joined the Osaka Mainichi Newspaper Company in 1896 and was responsible for illustrating newspaper novels such as Kikuchi Yuho's "My Sin," which was well received. After leaving the company, he devoted himself to the study of Noh painting. His portrait of Toyodaikaku in a local history painting inside the Osaka Castle tower was the honor of being viewed by the Emperor. Passed away on February 6, 1935, at the age of 65.
- Morinobu Nishikawa was a talented artist from the Kono Bairei school and expected to have a bright future but died in obscurity at the end of the Taisho era.
- Tsukaguchi Takeka was a Meiji era Japanese painter. Born in Osaka in 1884 (Meiji 17). He studied under Himejima Chikugai.
The paintings have been finely bound in album format, with decorated, brocade covers.
One painting album in orihon format (16 x 12.2 cm), 28 leaves
This album is in very good shape, with minor wear and corner peeling to the covers. There is very little ink staining throughout, only noted once or twice.