Exhibition/event has ended.
The 100-Year Journey of Seiyo Ogawa and Asukaen
Himeji City Museum of Art
Finished
SHARE
Artists
Seiyo Ogawa
This exhibition traces the activities of Seiyo Ogawa (1894-1960), a photographer who primarily captured images of Buddhist statues in Nara and other regions, and the Buddhist statue photography studio he founded, Nara's Asukaen. Born in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Ogawa initially aspired to be a painter and moved to Tokyo. However, he was deeply impressed by the cultural heritage, including Buddhist statues, in Nara and turned his focus to photography. In 1922, at the recommendation of art historian, calligrapher, and poet Yaichi Aizu, Ogawa established Asukaen, devoting his efforts to photographing cultural properties and heritage, especially Buddhist statues and temples in Nara.
Ogawa also immersed himself in the study of East Asian art and deepened his connections with cultural figures and intellectuals, such as Naoya Shiga, who moved to Nara, and Seiryo Hamada, who served as the president of Kyoto University. Additionally, Ogawa investigated and photographed cultural heritage sites across Asia, including the Yungang Grottoes in China, the Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple in Korea, and the Borobudur Temple in Indonesia.
This exhibition revisits the activities of Asuka-en, which elevated Buddhist statue photography to an art form while supporting cultural property preservation efforts, with a focus on the photographic works of Ogawa and his son, Kozo.
The exhibition also includes photographs preserved at Asuka-en, their original plates and equipment, sketches and rubbings left by Ogawa during his investigations, as well as ancient art research magazines and literature, such as the "Buddhist Art" magazine published by Ogawa, offering a glimpse into the life of a man who loved ancient art and cultural heritage.
Ogawa also immersed himself in the study of East Asian art and deepened his connections with cultural figures and intellectuals, such as Naoya Shiga, who moved to Nara, and Seiryo Hamada, who served as the president of Kyoto University. Additionally, Ogawa investigated and photographed cultural heritage sites across Asia, including the Yungang Grottoes in China, the Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple in Korea, and the Borobudur Temple in Indonesia.
This exhibition revisits the activities of Asuka-en, which elevated Buddhist statue photography to an art form while supporting cultural property preservation efforts, with a focus on the photographic works of Ogawa and his son, Kozo.
The exhibition also includes photographs preserved at Asuka-en, their original plates and equipment, sketches and rubbings left by Ogawa during his investigations, as well as ancient art research magazines and literature, such as the "Buddhist Art" magazine published by Ogawa, offering a glimpse into the life of a man who loved ancient art and cultural heritage.
Schedule | Jul 6 (Sat) 2024-Sep 1 (Sun) 2024 Opening Hours Information
| ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Adults ¥1000, University and High School Students ¥600, Junior High and Elementary School Students ¥200 | ||||
| Website | https://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/art/0000027802.html | ||||
| Venue | Himeji City Museum of Art https://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/art/0000007420.html | ||||
| Location | 68-25 Honmachi, Himeji-shi, Hyogo 670-0012 | ||||
| Access | 20 minute walk from Himeji Station on the JR or Sanyo Main line; From the North exit of Himeji Station on the JR or Sanyo Main line, take the Shinki bus and get off at Himeyamakoen-minami. The venue is 1 minute walk from there. | ||||
| Phone | 079-222-2288 | ||||
| Related images | Click on the image to enlarge it |
Traveling exhibition schedule
Back to Articles
SHARE
No comments yet