The Meiji Period represented the time when cultural properties fell into ruin due to Ishin (Revitalization Reform) and an anti-Buddhist movement in the face of rapid Westernization.
Therefore, in order to preserve cultural properties, the “Old Shrines and Temples Preservation Law” was enacted in 1897 and Hoo-do was designated as a “Special Preservation Building.”
With the support of the Law, major repair was conducted from 1902 to 1907, in order to actively preserve and pass down Hoo-do.
In order to pass down precious cultural properties, gifts from the past, appropriate regular repairs are necessary.
In 1895, in order to promote the attractiveness of Uji, “Poems, Calligraphy and Paintings of Beautiful Spots of Uji” were widely subscribed and scenic landscapes of Uji were painted and composed by many artists.
We sincerely hope that you can rediscover in this Exhibition the attractiveness of Uji as a beautiful spot and sustainability of culture together with the meaning of preservation, succession and utilization of culture.
Representative Works
“Uji River” by Bunko Yamada
“Tea Tree Doll” Bunrei Maekawa
“Minamoto no Yorimasa” Chikana Morizumi
Waka (Japanese poem), “View of Beautiful Spot” Yasuaya Wakisaka
Representative Artists
Bunko Yamada
1846 ~ 1902
Born in Kyoto. First, he learned painting under Shunen Izumi, a disciple of Ganku and later learned under Bunrin Shiokawa, a painter of the Shijo School. As a central painter of the Kyoto Painting Circle at the beginning of the Meiji Period, he was always selected for Expositions and played active roles in the Domestic Industry Promotion Exposition and Domestic painting competitive Exhibition. He received a gold medal at the Paris Exposition in 1889.
He taught painting at the Kyoto Painting School established in 1880 and became a Professor in 1889 and in establishment of the Kyoto Private Japanese Youth Painting Competitive Exhibition, he became a supporting member and taught a younger generation of painters. He was commonly known as Wahei, with the popular name of Heizaburo. His works are “Byodoin Yorinan Study Tea Room Fusuma Painting” “Kacho Mountain Raining Scene” “Painting of Harp, Shogi, Calligraphy and Painting” “Painting of Playing Harp under the Pine Tree,” etc.
Bunrei Maekawa
1837 ~ 1917
Born as a child of Gorei Maekawa, a Shijo School painter, disciple of Keibun Matsumura. He learned painting from his father and played a role as central painter of the Kyoto Painting Circle at the beginning of the Meiji Period by participating in Jounsha (art group) and Kyoto Art Association and taught at the Kyoto Painting School when it was established and was a judge of the Kyoto Private Japanese Youth Painting Competitive Exhibition.
He exhibited his works at the Domestic Painting Competitive Exhibition, Domestic Industry Promotion Exposition, Japan Painting Association, Nihon Bijutsuin Federation Painting Competitive Exhibition and Japan Nanga Association Exhibition.
Chikana Morizumi
1859 ~ 1925
A daughter of Tsurana Morizumi, an official painter of the Awa-Tokushima Domain. She learned painting at the Sumiyoshi School from her father. In 1879, she married Shinpei Iwano, but divorced in the following year. Thereafter, she moved to Osaka with her parents.
She painted samurai paintings with a masculine effect and also works depicting local toys collected as her hobby.She died at the age of 67. Real name is Tai.
Yasuaya Wakisaka
1840 ~ 1908
Feudal Lord, nobleman. Third son of Takayuki Todo, Lord of the Ise-Tsu Domain. He was adopted by Yasuori Wakisaka and the 10th Lord of the Wakisaka family of the Harima-Tatsuno Domain in 1862 and later became Viscount. Died at the age of 70. Popular name is Chinzaburo, Pen name is Yasumine.
Similar to the Byodoin Omotesando Art Works Subscription Exhibition, in 1895, he widely presented poems, calligraphy and paintings in order to promote the attractiveness of Uji.
Total of 244 works. There are many artists well-known even today.
Part of the works are exhibited (circulating works are scheduled)
Period: Saturday, January 18, 2014 ~ Friday, April 18, 2014, open throughout the period
Place: Byodoin Museum Hoshokan (116 Uji Renge, Uji-shi, Kyoto)
Hours:9:00 a.m. ~ 5:00 p.m. (Hoshokan)
Fee: Admission fee to Byodoin is required
(Special Fee during Repair Period: Adults ¥300, Junior High and High School Students ¥200, Elementary School Students ¥150)
(From April 1, 2014, ordinary fee: Adults ¥600, Junior High and High School Students ¥400, Elementary School Students ¥300)
Host: Religious Corporation Byodoin