Tradition and Modernity: Japanese Art of the Early Twentieth Century

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

Tradition and Modernity: Japanese Art of the Early Twentieth Century
Tradition and Modernity: Japanese Art of the Early Twentieth Century
Hillary Pedersen, curator
Asia Gallery, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

In the early decades of the twentieth century, Japan experienced many changes. During the first decades of the century, in the Meiji period (1868-1912), the country rapidly adopted Western models of education, politics and industrialization, and emerged as a more modern society after a long period of international isolation. Later, in the Taisho (1912- 26) and early Showa (1926-1989) periods, modernization was no longer simply the product of Western imitation, as the country rapidly became an international, industrial and urban society in its own right. Throughout these decades, complex tensions emerged between the desire to retain traditional cultural values and the desire to be a modern society. The complexity of early twentieth century Japanese society is revealed in its art, which selectively incorporates traditional and more modern modes of creation in a variety of formats, mediums, themes, and styles. Western art techniques, a flourishing export market, and a search for a new national identity that combined both tradition and modernity were some of the factors that shaped early twentieth century Japanese art.

This selection of works from the Spencer's collection broadly illustrates Japan's changing social climate of the early twentieth century and hopes to reveal the dynamic character of this period.

Exhibition images

Works of art

Coronation of Emperor Taisho, Nov. 10, 1915
1915, Taisho period (1912–1926)
Takahashi Shōtei (1871–1945), Night Rain at Kiritoshi
circa 1910s, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Ohara Shōson (1877–1945), Herons in Snow
circa 1910s, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Hasegawa Takejirō (1853–1938); Kobayashi Eijirō, High Bridge by Night
1915–1920, Taisho period (1912–1926)
Yoshikawa Kanpō (1894–1979), The Actor Nakamura Ganjirō I as Kamiya Jihei
Yoshikawa Kanpō (1894–1979)
1923, Taisho period (1912–1926)
Natori Shunsen (1886–1960), The Actor Ichimura Uzaemon XV as Iriya Naozamurai
Natori Shunsen (1886–1960)
1925, Taisho period (1912–1926)
Hashiguchi Goyō (1880–1921), Woman kneeling before mirror
1920, Taisho period (1912–1926)
Torii Kotondo (1900–1976), The Red Kimono
Torii Kotondo (1900–1976)
1929, Showa period (1926–1989)
Kawase Hasui (1883–1957), Kyōto, Chion-in
1933, Showa period (1926–1989)
Kawase Hasui (1883–1957), Moon at Magome
1930, Showa period (1926–1989)
Yoshida Hiroshi (1876–1950), Misty Day in Nikkō
1937, Showa period (1926–1989)
jar with cover
Meiji period (1868–1912)
vase
Meiji period (1868–1912)
Miharu (Meiji period (1868–1912)), 香炉 koro (incense burner)
Miharu (Meiji period (1868–1912))
circa 1880s, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Seishi (Meiji period (1868–1912)), vase with dragon around neck
Seishi (Meiji period (1868–1912))
circa 1880s, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Hirata Jūkō VII (1855–1926), punch bowl with bamboo and wisteria
Hirata Jūkō VII (1855–1926)
1905, Meiji period (1868–1912)
Yoshida Hiroshi (1876–1950), Peaceful Riishiri
1938, Showa period (1926–1989)
Takahashi Shōtei (1871–1945), Mt. Fuji from Mizukubo
circa 1938, Showa period (1926–1989)
Itō Takashi (1894–1982), Spring Snow in Kamitakachi
1932, 6th month, Showa period (1926–1989)
Kasamatsu Shirō (1898–1992), Moonrise at Nezu Gangan Shrine
1932, Showa period (1926–1989)
Nakamura Daizaburō (1898–1947), Woman Seated by a Stream
Nakamura Daizaburō (1898–1947)
early 1900s
kimono
1900s
Taniguchi Kōkyō (1864–1915), Autumn Song from the Odes of Wu
Taniguchi Kōkyō (1864–1915)
late 1800s–early 1900s, Meiji period (1868–1912) or Taisho period (1912–1926)

Events

February 10, 2005
Social
7:00–9:00PM
Gallery 317 Central Court

Resources

Documents