Studio: international art (52.1911)

The Present Condition of Art in Japan

"the great wall of china"

by terazaki kogyo

held by art-lovers ot the country, there is a
tendency to undervalue the works of the con-
servative and decorative styles, although decorative
quality is held by some to be the very life of our
painting. The greatest importance seems to be
placed upon the works of the progressive artists,
who hold that the one point of excellence in our
pictorial art lies in the perfect harmonisation of
the decorative and representative functions. It is
believed that the future evolution of art in Japan
must inevitably come from this school of artists.

The influence of Western painting was clearly
perceptible in the works exhibited. As to the
value of such influence the opinion of the nation
is still divided. Some maintain that the attitudes
of the painters of the East and the West are so
diverse that the combination of the different
methods followed by them will give the same effect
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as looking at an object cross-eyed. There are
others who firmly hold that the Western method
of treatment can with profit be adapted to the
Japanese technique. The verdict upon this point
is by no means clear yet, but there is unanimity on
one point—that the adoption must be preceded
by a thorough digestion. This influence was more
perceptible in the works of the Tokyo artists than
in those of the Kyoto group. Generally speaking
the latter employed a soft and delicate colouring
in contrast to the more decided and deep colours
used by the former.

As to the future of Japanese painting no person
can prophesy with any degree of certainty, as art is
the product of the spirit of the people and will be
guided by the mind of the nation, which changes
from time to time. However, it can reasonably be

"dawn in the mountains: autumn " ,

by tachika chikuson