Attention to Attire in the Paintings

"I have never painted with the sole intention of depicting women as beautiful. My aspiration has always been to create works that are like fragrant jewels, pure and free from any vulgarity."

These are the words of Uemura Shoen, who dedicated his life to painting the figures of women. The Yamatane Museum of Art is now holding the "[Special Exhibition] Uemura Shoen – The Quintessence of Bijin-ga –."

Yamazaki Taneji, the founder and first director of the Yamatane Museum of Art, had a close relationship with Shoen. Consequently, the museum currently houses 18 of his representative works, including "Hotaru" (Firefly), "Shin Hotaru" (New Firefly), "Kinuta," and "Botan Yuki" (Peony Snow).

This exhibition not only presents all 18 of Shoen's works at once but also draws attention to women depicted by various other artists.


Among the ukiyo-e bijin-ga, you can admire the delicate figure of a young woman in Suzuki Harunobu's "Plucking Plum Blossoms," one of only a few known to exist worldwide, and the graceful beauties in Torii Kiyonaga's works, depicted with eight-head proportions and dressed in the fashionable kimonos of the time, hailed as the "Venus of the East."

Furthermore, "Thirty-two Aspects of Customs," a representative work by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, on special loan from another collection and being exhibited for the first time, will be on display. Pay attention to the rich expressions of the women, depicted with Yoshitoshi's characteristic wit.

From the modern painting collection, a diverse range of bijin-ga will be exhibited, including depictions of women in Edo period customs by Hishida Shunso and Ikeda Terukata; beauties in both traditional Japanese and Western attire by Eisaku Wada, Kiyokata Kaburagi, Shinsui Ito, and Meiji Hashimoto; and dignified women painted by female artists such as Yuki Ogura and Kyuko Kataoka.

Regardless of whether they are in Japanese or Western attire, the hairstyles and fashion of the women in the paintings, which Shoen also paid close attention to, are noteworthy. We hope you will take this opportunity to enjoy "The Quintessence of Bijin-ga."

OPENERS Reader Giveaway (Invitations)
5 Pairs (10 People)
Please send your application with the required information to present@openers.jp.
Required Information: 1) Name (Readings) / 2) Age / 3) Gender / 4) Occupation / 5) Address / 6) Phone Number
Selection and Notification of Winners: Winners will be notified by the dispatch of prizes.
Deadline: Friday, September 8, 2017, 24:00
*If applications exceed the number of available prizes, a lottery will be held.

[Special Exhibition] Uemura Shoen – The Quintessence of Bijin-ga –
Dates: Tuesday, August 29, 2017 – Sunday, October 22, 2017 (Exhibits will be partially changed during the exhibition period. First Period: August 29 – September 24; Second Period: September 26 – October 22)
Venue: Yamatane Museum of Art
3-12-36 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 10:00 – 17:00 (Last admission at 16:30)
Closed: Mondays (Open on September 18 and October 9; Closed on September 19 and October 10)
Admission Fees: General: ¥1000 (¥800), High School/University Students: ¥800 (¥700), Junior High School Students and Below: Free. ( ) indicates group rates for 20 or more people, and advance ticket prices.