The series of “Imperial Household Artists” exhibition introduces the works of the artists designated as Imperial Household Artists from the collection of Kiyomizu San’nenzaka Museum. This time it is focused on the field of sculpture, especially on the works of Takamura Kōun (1852-1934) and Ishikawa Kōmei (1852-1913; also read as Ishikawa Mitsuaki).
Imperial Household Artists is a system created for the purpose of succession and expansion of Japanese traditional artistic handicrafts under the protection of the imperial household. The artists recognized as members received commissions from the imperial family and Imperial Household Agency, as well as enhancing the technniques and training of the younger generations. In 1890, Kōun and Kōmei were appointed the honorable title at the time of the establishment of the new system. Kōun was trained as a Buddhist image maker and concentrated in the field of wood sculpture, while Kōmei started his carrier as netsuke carver using ivory as the material and then expanded his work into wood and lacquer carving. Although they had different attitudes toward creation of art, the two artists had been respectful of each other and contributed toward the development of the world of modern sculpture.
In this exhibition, the works of other Imperial Household Artists designated sculptors are also presented, such as Takenouchi Kyūichi (1857-1916; also read as Takeuchi Kyūichi, Takenouchi Hisakazu or Takeuchi Hisakazu) and Yamazaki Chōun (1867-1954). Please enjoy the elegant and powerful masterpieces of modern sculpture.