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Seiyo Ogawa Exhibition
Nara Prefectural Museum of Art
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Seiyo Ogawa
Seiyo Ogawa (1894-1960) was a photographer who captured Buddhist statues in Nara and various other places. He founded the specialized photography studio "Asukazono," which focuses on photographing Buddhist statues, and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022.
Born in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Seiyo Ogawa initially aspired to be a painter but became engrossed in photography after being deeply impressed by cultural heritage such as Buddhist statues in Nara. In 1922, encouraged by Yaichi Aizu, known as an art historian, calligrapher, and poet, he established "Asukazono" in Nara and devoted himself energetically to photographing cultural properties and heritage sites, primarily Buddhist statues and temples in Nara. Besides photography, he also delved into the study of East Asian art and fostered connections with cultural and intellectual figures such as Naoya Shiga, who relocated to Nara, and Seiryo Hamada, who served as the president of Kyoto University. Furthermore, he actively conducted research and photography of cultural heritage sites across Asia, including the Yungang Grottoes in China, Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple in Korea, Borobudur in Indonesia, and Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
Seiyo Ogawa's photographs, characterized by bold ideas that challenge conventions and artistic talent, demonstrated a strong commitment to beauty through a keen sensitivity. He succeeded in creating a mystical photographic space centered around Buddhist statues, transcending the framework of recording and documenting cultural properties, and elevating Buddhist statue photography to the realm of art. Although Seiyo Ogawa passed away in 1960, the activities of the photography studio Asukazono were continued by his sons Kozo Ogawa and Kotaro Ogawa, and their activities continue to this day in Nara.
This exhibition reflects on the activities of Asukazono, which not only supported cultural heritage preservation efforts but also elevated Buddhist statue photography to the realm of art, focusing on the photographic works of Seiyo Ogawa and his sons Kozo and Kotaro.
Born in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Seiyo Ogawa initially aspired to be a painter but became engrossed in photography after being deeply impressed by cultural heritage such as Buddhist statues in Nara. In 1922, encouraged by Yaichi Aizu, known as an art historian, calligrapher, and poet, he established "Asukazono" in Nara and devoted himself energetically to photographing cultural properties and heritage sites, primarily Buddhist statues and temples in Nara. Besides photography, he also delved into the study of East Asian art and fostered connections with cultural and intellectual figures such as Naoya Shiga, who relocated to Nara, and Seiryo Hamada, who served as the president of Kyoto University. Furthermore, he actively conducted research and photography of cultural heritage sites across Asia, including the Yungang Grottoes in China, Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple in Korea, Borobudur in Indonesia, and Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
Seiyo Ogawa's photographs, characterized by bold ideas that challenge conventions and artistic talent, demonstrated a strong commitment to beauty through a keen sensitivity. He succeeded in creating a mystical photographic space centered around Buddhist statues, transcending the framework of recording and documenting cultural properties, and elevating Buddhist statue photography to the realm of art. Although Seiyo Ogawa passed away in 1960, the activities of the photography studio Asukazono were continued by his sons Kozo Ogawa and Kotaro Ogawa, and their activities continue to this day in Nara.
This exhibition reflects on the activities of Asukazono, which not only supported cultural heritage preservation efforts but also elevated Buddhist statue photography to the realm of art, focusing on the photographic works of Seiyo Ogawa and his sons Kozo and Kotaro.
Schedule | Apr 20 (Sat) 2024-Jun 23 (Sun) 2024 Opening Hours Information
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| Fee | Adults ¥1200, University and High School Students ¥1000, Junior High and Elementary School Students ¥800 | ||||
| Website | https://www.pref.nara.jp/11842.htm | ||||
| Venue | Nara Prefectural Museum of Art | ||||
| Location | 10-6 Noborioji-cho, Nara-shi, Nara 630-8213 | ||||
| Access | 5 minute walk from exit 1 at Nara Station on the Kintetsu line; From the East exit of JR Nara Station, take the Nara Kotsu bus and get off at Kenchomae. The venue is 2 minute walk from there. | ||||
| Phone | 0742-23-3968 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
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