Studio: international art (25.1902)

The Nippon Bijitsu-in

The Nippon Bijitsu-In, situated in Yanaka
Tokio, is a private institution supported by con-
tributions from the members and by private
donations. The course includes painting, sculp-
ture, bronze, lacquer, metal work, and design,
and instruction is given in the Japanese style
only. It holds its half-yearly exhibitions in
Tokio, besides periodical exhibitions in the
main cities of Japan. The faculty consists, in
addition to those who left the Government
school, of many prominent independent Tokio
artists, especially artists of the Ukiyoye or
Popular School. The artists of the New School
of Kioto also exhibit their work in that city.
Among the prominent artists we may mention :
Hashimoto Gaho, the last chief instructor of
the Kano Academy, whose vigorous brushwork
often approaches that of Morikage and Sesson ;
Shimomura Kansan, a fine student of the Tosa
School, who has struck a new vein of Korin-like
impressionism; Matsumoto Fuko, the true
follower of Yosai; Ogata Gekko, the chief
Ukiyo painter since the lamented Kawanabe
Kiyosai; Suzuki Kason, noted for his delicate
ink effect (Shijo style); Tominaga Yeisen, the
successor of the late Yeitaku ; and Yoko) ama
Taikan, with his bold conception, and Kaiwai
Giokudo, with his pure effects, both worthy
pupils of Gaho.

Okazaki Sessei is celebrated for the
inimitable shapes and colour which he
imparts to bronzes ; and Okabe Kakuya
has successfully experimented with the
problems of matching the colours of different
alloys.

Outside of the two Schools, we must mention
the representatives of the Shijo and Bunjin
Schools.

Shijo School.—The artistic descendants of Okio
and Goshinu are still best represented in the
place of the School's birth—Kioto. Imao Keinen
is still noted for his delicate birds and flowers.
Mochidzuki Giokusen follow closely behind
him; but his range of subjects is quite limited.
The younger artists who have striven to strike
out beyond the limited range, naturally work
in the New School of Tokio. Among them
we must mention Taken ehi Seiho and Tsuji
Rako, worthy successors of their teachers, Bairei
and Chikudo.

The Bunjin School have been losing ground
with the thinning of its ranks. At present Taki
Katei holds the foremost rank.

K. Okakura.

128

WHITE LOTUS BY NAKAJIMA REISEN

THE AUTUMN EXHIBITION OF
THE NIPPON BIJITSU-IN—THE
JAPAN FINE ARTS ACADEMY.

The Imperial Flag of Japan was flying over the
entrance.

The pictures are not in large galleries, as with us,
but a huge hall is adapted to the needs of each
exhibition by stretching wide white canvas so that
it forms a maze with narrow passages and number-
less small rooms. No frames, no heavy gilt; the
pictures painted on silk or paper are simply
stretched on light wood, and hung against these
canvas walls.

Outside, the morning was fresh and crisp. The
Japanese artist has caught the very spirit of nature,
for in this maze of pictures one felt the very same
purity and sparkle of the air, and it is the spirit