The third of the “Imperial Household Artists” exhibition series presented by Kiyomizu San’nenzaka Museum is focusing on the field of cloisonné.
Imperial Household Artists is a system which was launched in 1890 for the purpose of recognizing and honoring the artisans who had both outstanding technical achievement and respectable personality. The goal was the succession and expansion of Japanese traditional artistic handicrafts under the protection of the imperial household and thus the artisans appointed to the title were mandated to improve their techniques and train the younger generation. The recognition as a member of it was the most honorable achievement for artisans.
Namikawa Yasuyuki (1845-1927) and Namikawa Sōsuke (1847-1910) were both designated as Imperial Household Artists in 1896 (Meiji 29) as cloisonné enameling artists and received the honor of being the best in the field. Namikawa Yasuyuki was a specialist of wire cloisonné (yūsen shippō; enclosures to hold the enamels) with meticulous lines and superb sense of color, while Namikawa Sōsuke established the technique of wireless cloisonné (musen shippō) which is expressive as much as paintings. The two Namikawas’ works are highly valued and appreciated equally in Japan and in other countries.
In this exhibition, Kiyomizu San’nenzaka Museum presents its proud collection of Namikawa Yasuyuki artworks along with other masterpieces created by Namikawa Sōsuke and other artisans of the same time period when both technique and artistic designs of cloisonné had been drastically and rapidly improved. Please enjoy the supreme beauty of cloisonné works.