Tsubaki Tsubakiyama Exhibition: Light and Light Colors and Brushstrokes

Tsubaki Chinzan (1801-1854) was one of the leading literati painters of the late Edo period. Born in Edo (present-day Tokyo), he initially worked as a low-ranking official of the shogunate while studying under the painter Kaneko Kinryo and later under Watanabe Kazan.

At that time, the growing interest in foreign countries and the popularity of ukiyoe prints in Edo produced a wide range of genres of works In the midst of all this, Tsubakiyama was a major force in the art world. Against this backdrop, Tsubakiyama focused his efforts on flower-and-bird paintings, which gained popularity. His works, with their fresh colors and light brushwork, were well received by many people. He also excelled at portraiture, and while inheriting the shading and other techniques of expression from Kazan, he developed them in his own unique way.

Travzan has often been described from the perspective of "a disciple of Hazan," but Asano Baido, a student and connoisseur of Hazan's work, described him as "Hoitsu's painting genius. However, Asano Baido, a student and connoisseur of his work, wrote, "Houichi's painting talent, Buncho's painting studies, Okyo's taste for painting, and Kashan's painting style are all the finest works of art of the past generation. The one who has achieved the greatest beauty of rhyme and effect is Tsubakiyama O."

Tsubakiyama O.

This exhibition is the first in the Kanto region to focus on Tsubakiyama, who has been hidden behind the big name of Kazan. Representative works designated as Important Cultural Properties will also be introduced to give a fuller picture of the artist.