DOI issue:
Nr. 212 (November 1910)
DOI article:Harada, Jirō: Japanese art and artists of to-day, [4]: wood and ivory carving
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20971#0129
Japanese Art and Artists of To-day.—IV. IVood and Ivory Carving
talent to sacred objects should stoop to carve such
an inferior creature as a dog, was, to the Japanese
artistic mind, a degradation of the profession, an
almost unpardonable offence. No other master,
probably, could have transgressed the artistic
etiquette in such an original and daring manner.
But Koun was a keen observer, and could discern
the requirements of the age. The wooden chin
was exhibited at an exhibition of the Fine Arts
Association, awarded a gold medal, and became the
property of the Imperial Household. This asso-
ciation was organised in 1879, and holds annual
exhibitions in the capital, similar to the Salons of
Paris. Naturally, Koun’s success was a great
encouragement, not only to himself, but to other
artists. Since then this master has made a speci-
ality of animals, especially chin, although later
chabo (bantam fowl) became his favourite subject.
His work is characterised by bold chisel strokes
WOOD CARVING “ A TRAMP ” BY YAMAZAKI ChSun
IVORY CARVING: “A STREET MUSICIAN”
BY KANEDA KINJIRO
shelf. The young carver was very much touched
when he saw the master’s innocent cat receiving
punishment. When you see him now working
in his studio and watch his amiable face, his eyes
beaming with sincerity, you would never believe
him capable of such pranks even in his youthful
days.
Koun learned the art of carving from the man
who carved the five hundred Rakans now in the
Kenchoji at Kamakura. He was originally a
Busshi, that is, one who carves Buddhistic images.
At the beginning of the present Japanese era,
however, when the temples and shrines throughout
the country ceased to be embellished with artistic
objects, the demand for these productions naturally
stopped. But Koun saw possibilities of turning his
talent to account in other channels entirely different
from those he had hitherto followed. It was a
surprise and almost a shock to the Japanese public
when the clever Busshi executed a chin (Japanese
pug dog). That one who had devoted his skill and
108
talent to sacred objects should stoop to carve such
an inferior creature as a dog, was, to the Japanese
artistic mind, a degradation of the profession, an
almost unpardonable offence. No other master,
probably, could have transgressed the artistic
etiquette in such an original and daring manner.
But Koun was a keen observer, and could discern
the requirements of the age. The wooden chin
was exhibited at an exhibition of the Fine Arts
Association, awarded a gold medal, and became the
property of the Imperial Household. This asso-
ciation was organised in 1879, and holds annual
exhibitions in the capital, similar to the Salons of
Paris. Naturally, Koun’s success was a great
encouragement, not only to himself, but to other
artists. Since then this master has made a speci-
ality of animals, especially chin, although later
chabo (bantam fowl) became his favourite subject.
His work is characterised by bold chisel strokes
WOOD CARVING “ A TRAMP ” BY YAMAZAKI ChSun
IVORY CARVING: “A STREET MUSICIAN”
BY KANEDA KINJIRO
shelf. The young carver was very much touched
when he saw the master’s innocent cat receiving
punishment. When you see him now working
in his studio and watch his amiable face, his eyes
beaming with sincerity, you would never believe
him capable of such pranks even in his youthful
days.
Koun learned the art of carving from the man
who carved the five hundred Rakans now in the
Kenchoji at Kamakura. He was originally a
Busshi, that is, one who carves Buddhistic images.
At the beginning of the present Japanese era,
however, when the temples and shrines throughout
the country ceased to be embellished with artistic
objects, the demand for these productions naturally
stopped. But Koun saw possibilities of turning his
talent to account in other channels entirely different
from those he had hitherto followed. It was a
surprise and almost a shock to the Japanese public
when the clever Busshi executed a chin (Japanese
pug dog). That one who had devoted his skill and
108