Hirezaki Eiho

Hirezaki Eihō, the “last ukiyo-e artist” who disappeared between eras.

Hirezaki Eihō (1880-1968) was an artist who flourished from the late Meiji to the Shōwa era. He studied under Migita Toshihide, a pupil of the ukiyo-e artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, and created kuchi-e (frontispieces: multicolored woodblock prints inserted at the beginning of books), covers, and illustrations for novels and literary magazines, capturing the hearts of the general public. However, his achievements are rarely mentioned. This exhibition shines a light on the little-known “last ukiyo-e artist,” exploring how Eihō was flourished during the final era when ukiyo-e prints were a part of everyday life.

 The last ukiyo-e beauty painting: Approaching Eihō’s bewitching beauty.

Hirezaki Eihō painted many women with bewitching beauty in the kuchi-e of novels and literary magazines. His popularity rivaled that of Kaburaki Kiyokata, a renowned modern painter of beautiful women. During the Taisho era, when ukiyo-e prints were nearing the end of their role as mass media, Eihō was the last artist to depict beautiful women through woodblock prints. We will explore the charm of his fascinating beauties, which marks the end of the history of ukiyo-e prints.

The unknown charm of lithographs that took the place of ukiyo-e prints.

Hirezaki Eihō has created many lithograph frontispieces as well as woodblock prints. However, his lithograph frontispieces have rarely been introduced until now. Therefore, in this exhibition, to reveal the full scope of his works, we will introduce not only his woodblock prints but also his lithographs in great volume. Please enjoy the unknown appeal of lithographs, which took the place of entertainment for the masses from ukiyo-e prints.

A large retrospective exhibition showcasing 187 pieces, including woodblock prints, lithographs, and original paintings.

In addition to published woodblock and lithograph prints, this exhibition will also feature works that reveal the production process, such as original drawings and paintings with coloring instructions (presentations). This large-scale retrospective will also feature rare hanging scrolls and sketches that reflect Eihō’s spirit. (All works will be rotated between the 1st and 2nd terms of the exhibition).

Admission

Adult	1200 yen
University and High school students	800 yen
Junior High School Students and below (under 15 years old)	Free

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Ohara Koson

Ohara Koson (1877-1945) was a master of kachō-ga (bird-and-flower pictures) and flourished from the late Meiji to early Shōwa era. Koson’s work has recently gained recognition in Japan after being overlooked for a long time. “Ohara Koson” was an exhibition held in 2019 at the Ota Memorial Museum of Art that was unexpectedly successful. This year marks the 80th anniversary of Koson’s death, so the museum will host the first exhibition on his work in six years.

Using ukiyo-e woodblock printing techniques inherited from the Edo period, he created numerous works of birds, flowers, and animals. His works are characterized by their delicate, subtle colors, which belie their origins as woodblock prints. In this exhibition, works bearing Koson’s seal will be shown that were published by publishers such as Matsuki Heikichi and Akiyama Buemon. These works were published between the late Meiji and Taisho periods. The exhibition will showcase about 130 works, with a complete change in the exhibits between the first and second halves. About a quarter will not have been shown in the previous Koson exhibition.

The exhibition will also feature kachō-ga by artists active from the Edo period to the Meiji era, such as Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige, Kawanabe Kyosai, and Watanabe Seitei. Visitors are invited to enjoy the birds’ paradise depicted by Ohara Koson and the others.

Admission

Adult	1000 yen
University and High school students	700 yen
Junior High School Students and below (under 15 years old)	Free

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