-Description-
Title Tani Buncho:Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of his Birth
Publication year 2013
Publication year 2013
This is a rare exhibition catalogue of Tani Buncho(October 15,1763-January 6,1841),who was a Japanese literati (bunjin) painter and poet. Fortunately,some pages are written in English.153 works are contained and all works are shown in full color.
The English Foreword to this book says"
Tani Buncho (1763-1840) was a painter who played a leading role in Kanto region painting circles in the latter half of the Edo period. While Buncho is known primarily as a master of Kanto Nanga (literati painting), he also studied Kano, Maruyama-Shijo, and Tosa school painting, and Western-style painting as well. Blending their styles and techniques, this great master established a school of his own. The sheer quantity and stylistic diversity of his work, however, make it difficult to grasp the essential Buncho while communicating the full scope of his activities.
Tani Buncho (1763-1840) was a painter who played a leading role in Kanto region painting circles in the latter half of the Edo period. While Buncho is known primarily as a master of Kanto Nanga (literati painting), he also studied Kano, Maruyama-Shijo, and Tosa school painting, and Western-style painting as well. Blending their styles and techniques, this great master established a school of his own. The sheer quantity and stylistic diversity of his work, however, make it difficult to grasp the essential Buncho while communicating the full scope of his activities.
Buncho was on close terms with Matsudaira Sadanobu, Kimura Kenkado and other leading literati of the period, and his many disciples included Watanabe Kazan. The breadth of his connections is striking, even among the other notable painters of his period, testifying to the personal appeal that set him apart from other intellectuals and cultured individuals.
This exhibition celebrates the 250th anniversary of Buncho's birth. Framing his work in terms of his interactions with others, we trace the history of his paintings and other achievements. In addition, this exhibition includes Buncho's Illustrated Legends of Ishiyama-dera, which were recently added to our collection. These scrolls are being exhibited for the first time since their restoration. It is our hope that as you explore the many famous works that resulted from Buncho's extraordinary range
of friendships, you will come to sense the fascination Tani Buncho continues to generate as an artist.
of friendships, you will come to sense the fascination Tani Buncho continues to generate as an artist.
In conclusion we would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the collectors who have graciously allowed their precious works to be shown in this exhibition and to the many others without whose cooperation and support this exhibition would not have been possible."
Tani Buncho,who was one of the preeminent practitioners of Kanto-region Nanga (literati painting), was influenced by the Shijo School, Tosa School and Western-style paintings, and thus created a wide variety of works. He was also one of the best connected of painters, counting the literati Kimura Kenkado among his acquaintances and Watanabe Kazan among his disciples. In this exhibition, we commemorate the 250th anniversary of Buncho’s birth with an examination of his painterly output and achievements that is structured around these many connections. Also, we exhibit all seven scrolls of Buncho’s Ishiyama-dera Engi Emaki Handscrolls, which were recently acquired by the museum. This will be the first time the work is exhibited since the completion of an extensive restoration."
