Alfonse Mucha

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎Legendary
Official Site

Taking photograph is allowed on specified works. 

Site: The National Art Center, Tokyo
Until 5th June, 2017

It is not an event but a legend-to-be.  The complete squad of "The Slav Epic" has come!
They are not only national treasures of Czechia, but also common legacy of human beings: beauty and idea, skill and passion, hope and introspect...

Visitor will be overwhelmed at the first room by the charisma and perfection of Slavs in Their Original Homeland, The Celebration of Svantovit and The Introduction of the Slavonic Liturgy, as if they were at Cappella Sistina.

Slavs in Their Original Homeland shows eternal tranquility in heaven in starlight in conjunction with galloping menace on earth.  The shade and color is the final reaching point of quest for light through touches by Impressionist and Neo-impressionist, preoccupying the goal of postwar Japanese nihonga painters.
The mysterious shade seems largely to come from use of tempera.
The posture and looks on face of figures in front scene is derived from study of Michelangelo, embodying unyielding soul of the nation even under fear.

The Celebration of Svantovit is a monument of Peace and War.  The atmosphere and light, aura around gods, the dance of female priest, smoke and torches...all difficult to narrate.
This work is on the summit of "Historical Painting".
Again, study and absorption of precedent works is integrated with his own genius. Composition as a whole and natural staying of figures in the air  is too superb.

The Introduction of the Slavonic Liturgy is a magic to combine a realistic youth with iconic Slav monarchs in Byzantine style by the unique light and atmosphere.  A study of Beato Angelico might have made any hint.

The works on Hussiten are dedicated to the dignity of soul.  One can find elements from Baroque, Japonism (in composition), and romanticism.  A message to oppose to hates is grave in current situation.

The section of works on modern events is featured on reliance to enlightenment, progress and pan-nationalism, which, in real history, were betrayed through twice of World Wars. Nevertheless, the ideal that nationalism, pan-nationalism or patriotism could be peaceful, as embodied in the floods of light full of hope, is not to be abandoned.  

Holy Mount Athos

from The Last days of Jan Amos Komenský in Naarden

Apotheosis of the Slavs

from The Abolition of Serfdom in Russia

Other sections is largely from Alfonse Mucha Musem, Sakai, ex Doi collection.  Thanks to the good-taste, foresight and passion of Mr. Doi Kimio!

This exhibition is really superb, but, from point of view of conservation, this loan to Japan and further to China over 2 years (then possibly to South Korea and U.S.) risks severe damage to the masterpiece.

While I doubted how such large works has been shipped to Japan, each time of transportation to and display on different cities, the canvases are scrolled and spread again! 

According to an article, all former loan abroad required restoration after the works returned home.  I wonder why alternative transportation could not be adopted.  And long-time loan to China will be with risk of damage through air severe pollution.

This is Kyōsai! The Israel Goldman Collection Celebrated Japanese artist

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎Never to miss for all
Official site
(Photographs herein are taken under special permission by the organizers)

Site: the Bunkamura Museum of Art
Until 16th April, 2017

Kawanabe Kyosai is a polygon artist who left abundant and varied works,  and the curators could arrange an exhibition of   his works from various angles. This one focus on subjects as well as styles applied according thereto, giving you a new insight on his art, life and time.

Raven Scrolls

The first section is "animals", especially ravens, the most popular subject among his works.  His animals are with expressive looks and yet based on precise watching.  Ravens appear to be a mirror to human being.

Animals

Kiosk's sense of humor is on the summit of Japanese modern painters.  But he is not a isolated peak from historical viewpoint but is a successor to Kuniyoshi and painters in Kyoto, further to medieval maki scrolls.
The mainstream of "modern" Japanese "traditional" paintings did deviate from such humor and intellect, and, at the same time, lost the skill to draw dynamic (sometimes mob) scenes.

Religious Figures

Sukeroku v.s. Colossus Buddha is in unique composition and with humorous but philosophic theme, showing his ever-novel genius which impressed contemporary Europeans.
Party of Five Holy Men might be regarded impious by fundamentalists, but presents the Japanese spirt of universal value: Concordia 和, which was brewed in Pax Tokugawa and made more open-minded through Meiji westernization.  If Kyosai had travelled in Middle East or India, he would have added Muhammed. The cheer atmosphere of this work is of invaluable meaning in current intolerant crush of isms.

Shouki (Zhong Kui) and evil spirits

The most dynamic expression comes in this section. The too famous Goshawk Chasing Wind God from ex Conder collection and Shouki Kicking Evil Spirit are marvelous.

Courtisan Jigoku-Dayuu and Monk Ikkyuu

For beauties, he made the ideal face of the era.  It might be interesting to compare his works with photographs of geishas in that time.  These works is in a combined style of Kanou school, the academic one, and Utagawa school, then pop-art.  Historically, Kanou school itself emerged as an integration of Chinese style and then-traditional Japanese one, and he is the true successor to Kanou school also in that sense.

Shunga (Funny Erotic Pictures)

There also exhibited are shooing. Kyosai left various footprints in this field, too. The interfering cat on the left scroll is too funny.  

Kanou-school style scrolls

The delicate fine touch in Kanou style remind you that Kyosai was appointed by the last of one Kanou lineage as the heir to the art.

Ghost scroll and its design from ex Fukutomi Tarou Collection 

Many works formerly in ex Fukutomi Tarou collection had left for Mr. Goldman.  He seems to have been destined to collect Kyosai's works and realized his own fate through the first step: bidding for a portrait of Darma at a small auction in London.  He is a true connoisseur.

Some piece from Tokyo National Museum

Two Masterpiece by Watanebe Seitei are now on display:
The Cartoon Book for Cloisonne for State Guest Houses and Cocks in Snow.

Realistic Observation is integrated with vivid colouring, genius in shading (especially in scarlet), selective symbolization, and, above all, poésie.

Warbler from The Cartoon Book for Cloisonne for State Guest Houses

Quail from The Cartoon Book for Cloisonne for State Guest Houses

Teal from The Cartoon Book for Cloisonne for State Guest Houses

I am of an opinion that any birds painting attributed to Seitei (majorly relying on signature and chop) should be tested against such work of highest quality and good provenance.
In art, an attribution by an expert or experts is a hypothesis after all, never be a dogma. 

Among other works now on display, Brahma in early 14th century is charming.

Brahma

SEITEI: Revives! Aloof Superpainter Watanabe Seitei

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎  Recommendable for all / Not to miss for enthusiast
Official Site

Site: Kashima Arts Co., Ltd.
Until 9th April, 2017

A miniature tiger welcomes you at the show-window.
Many fine works greet you inside.
Some works had been exhibited at Maison Franco-Japonaise.

Amazing is Seitei's skill in painting plants and flowers, sometimes even showing the lapse of time.

As for birds, quality varies.  The Cartoon Book for Cloisonne for State Guest Houses in Tokyo National Museum, one of those on the summit of Japanese birds paintings, should be the standard.  As a retired austringer, I cannot help being of more bitter opinion on the birds painting genre.

Art Fair Tokyo 2017

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ Excellent and Highly Recommendable
Official Site

Site: Hall E and Lobby Gallery, Tokyo International Forum
Until 19th March, 2017

Gallery Kogure presents Tatsugichi Keita 龍口経太, Kamiji Ichitaka 上路市剛, Yamamoto Takato 山本タカト, Yamaguchi Hidenori 山口英紀 and others.
Tatsugichi's Kyuubi 九尾 (Nine-tailed) shows his new achievement in his recent quest for compatibility of divinity/ideal and secularity/reality, with strong impression of dynamics of feminine hair and gaze, which contrast with former mysterious tranquility.
Visitors on 18th March were lucky to see 3 extra works of his: Kamiyosuga 髪縁 (Hair-Connection), which could be regarded as the prototype of Kyuubi, Kamioboro 髪朧 (Hair-Haziness), a masterpiece lying nude so realistic and yet lyric as ones by Botticelli and Giorgione, and Natsubi (my memory uncertain) 夏日 (A Summer Day), which gives me a vision of strong solar lay on a lady in summer dress, a rare subject among his works.

On the first day, 2 early famous works of Tatsugichi Keita also appeared at and left shortly the booth of  Gallery Olym: Kinbaku 緊縛 (Bondage) and Sanagi-Aka 蛹（赤） (Chrysalis Red Version).

Shunpudo Gallery exhibited Morimoto Jun, whose Sfumato in feminine face and unique atmosphere is marvelous.

Shiniedo offers charming and delicate wooden sculptures by Saito Hideki. Butterfly is really incredible. While infant Mauremys japonica is good as an artwork, it differs much from the actual infant of that species, which should be with a much longer tail and serrated back shell edges. 

Matsumoto Shoeido's Shouhaku overwhelms "contemporary arts" nearby. Great classics are always advanced, or contemporary in true sense.

Hokusai's paintings from Sumisho Art Gallery also attests it.
As well as in terms of aesthetics, time-proof old masters are competitors to modern authors in market.

Museum-piece Tang ceramics at Mayuyama Ryusendo and Uragami Sokyudo need no words.

Galarie Nichido introduces to public a legendary self-portrait by Kishida Ryusei, which suggests a taste of early works by Verazques and of works by van der Weyden or Durer.

Among Southern wing "comtemporary" works, "Re: Masters" by Sagaki Keita is most impressive.

Northern Song Ru Ware Narcissus Basins

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎  Not to miss for all

Official Site

Site: The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka

Until 26th March, 2017

5 of only 6 Nu 汝窯 celadon narcissus basin come together, and 5 works have respective unique personality.

Above all, the catalogue no. 1 is captioned by the organizers as the Paramount Ceramic humans have ever created.

It is not exaggeration.

Nu ceradon is one in quest for blue sky after rain, similar to jade in surface and superior to turquoise in tone.

Its aesthetics is oriented to perfection, but in higher dimension that incorporates slight manual diversions and paradoxically achieves embodiment of unlimited cosmos:

what we call yuugen (youxuan) 幽玄.

Only Youhen bowls, wearing the night sky, could rival among ceramics.

The replicas by Shimada Kochichi are of excellency, reflecting about 40 years' effort to revive Nu ware.

Please note the originals might not be Narcissus basin but cat food ware...

Possible use of 'Narcissus Basin' ?

Reverse side of bottom of a replica basin by Shimada Koichi 

Replica basin by Shimada Koichi

Fujita The Collection

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎  Not to miss for all 
Official Site

Site: Fujita Museum
Until 11th June, 2017

In 2015, we enjoyed the magnificent collection of Fujita Museum, as exhibited in Suntory Museum of Art in Tokyo and Fukuoka Art Museum.

This time, although smaller in number, the essence of the collection reappeared itself at home: in classic wooden display cases within the "treasury" building. 

Illustrated Life of the Tripikata Master Xuanzang and Divinely Inspired Reception of the Two Great Sutras of Esoteric Buddhism can be seen more closely.

And the Yohen Tenmoku, a  glaze with Galaxy-like glistening spots, can be enjoyed in the best lighting.  The display situation at Suntory was the worst of those one could imagine, making the masterpiece white out and spectators dissatisfied and misunderstanding true value of the bowl. 
Here, you see the mystery of the cosmos in starlights with auroras, changing its phases according to watching angles.
This is Youhen (Yaobian).

It is pity that Fujita Museum had to sell its Chinese art collections at Christies, for the purpose of building a new museum building:
Shang bronze and Song scrolls.

100th Anniversary of Death: Watanabe Seitei and his time - Dawn of Modern Art in Japan and France -

⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎  Recommendable for all / Not to miss for enthusiast

Site:Maison Franco-Japonaise
until 11th March, 2017

Only 3 days temporary but charming exhibition.
All works comes from private collection, including dealers'.

Seirai’s son told that genuine were hardly one tenth of those attributed to Seirai, so one have to remember that authenticy of exhibited works is not always guaranteed.

Some on this exhibition, such as Heron de nuit and Oiseaux et fleuers are real masterworks, while others are somewhat plain and questionable.

Lespedeza et Lapin

Lune dans les nuages

Oiseaux et fleurs

Oiseaux et fleurs

Heron de nuit

Heron de nuit

Belles femmes et fleurs de cerisier