Takeuchi Seihō: The Great Master Who Unified the Kyoto School Tradition in Modern Japanese Painting

Takeuchi Seihō stands as a towering figure in modern Japanese painting, inheriting the traditions of the Kyoto art world while pioneering new horizons. His artistic achievements are characterized by the development and unification of the Kyoto-style painting lineage that began with Maruyama Ōkyo and passed through the Shijō school.

From Maruyama Ōkyo to the Shijō School — Inheriting Tradition

Takeuchi Seihō thoroughly studied the Maruyama school’s emphasis on sketching from life, which originated with Maruyama Ōkyo, as well as the Shijō school’s spirit, which was further developed by Ōkyo’s disciple, Matsumura Goshun, who incorporated the literati painting’s sensibility. Under his teacher Kōno Bairei, Seihō mastered the traditional aesthetics and techniques of the Kyoto school, building a solid foundation as an artist.

Fusion of Various Schools and Establishment of a Unique Style

Seihō’s greatest achievement lies in his ability to build upon the Maruyama and Shijō schools while also actively incorporating techniques from the Kanō school, Yamato-e, Western painting, and Chinese painting. By fusing tradition with innovation, he established a unique style of Japanese painting. In this sense, he can truly be described as the artist who “unified the essence of various schools of the Kyoto art world at once.”

Leader of the Modern Kyoto Art World

Throughout the Meiji, Taishō, and Shōwa eras, Takeuchi Seihō was at the center of the Kyoto art world. He was so highly regarded that he was often mentioned alongside Yokoyama Taikan as “Seihō in the West, Taikan in the East.” Seihō also nurtured many successors, including Uemura Shōen and Nishiyama Suishō, greatly contributing to the development of the Kyoto art world.

Conclusion

Takeuchi Seihō inherited the Kyoto school tradition that began with Maruyama Ōkyo, unified it through the Shijō school, and further incorporated diverse techniques to pioneer a new era in modern Japanese painting. His legacy symbolizes both the tradition and innovation of the Kyoto art world and continues to be highly esteemed to this day.

 

 

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Our Feelings For Kakejiku

 The Japanese people have long set a high value on aesthetic senses since ancient times. As a result, the
peculiar culture which is not seen in other countries blossomed and many aspects of the modern Japanese
culture come from it. Parts of Japanese culture has been introduced to people in other countries recently,
so the number of people from other countries who are interested in Japanese culture has been increasing.
However, the Japanese aesthetic senses, which are the bases of Japanese culture, have been nurtured
through a long history, intertwining various elements intricately, such as climate, geographical features,
religion, customs and so on. Therefore, they are very difficult to understand not only for people from other
countries, but even for the Japanese people. I think the best tool which conveys these difficult senses
understandably is a “kakejiku.”
 The kakejiku (a hanging scroll; a work of calligraphy or a painting which is mounted and hung in an
alcove or on a wall) is a traditional Japanese art. It's no exaggeration to say that paintings are what
express aesthetic senses at all times and places. The kakejiku is an art which expresses the Japanese
aesthetic senses. The kakejiku has long been used in traditional Japanese events, daily life and so on since
ancient times. As a result, there are various customs of kakejiku in Japan; kakejiku and the life of the
Japanese are closely related. We can see Japanese values through kakejiku.
 The kakejiku is a cultural tradition which the Japanese people should be proud of. However, many people
in other countries don't know much about it because it hasn't been showcased as much. This is why I
decided to try to introduce it. The kakejiku world is very interesting and beautiful. We want not only the
Japanese, but also many people from other countries to know and enjoy it. I hope that many people will
love kakejiku someday.

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Company Profile
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Name Art Nomura

President Tatsuji Nomura

Founded1973

Established1992

Address7-23 Babadori, Tarumi-ku, Kobe city,
Hyougo Prefecture, 655-0021, Japan


Capital10 million yen

URLhttp://nomurakakejiku.com

Our Business

 Art Nomura is an art dealer which produces kakejiku (hanging scrolls). We mount many paintings and calligraphic works in kakejiku in my factory. Kakejiku are our main product. We also remount and repair old or damaged kakejiku. We share the traditional Japanese art of kakejiku with people all over the world.


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 The Japanese people have long set a high value on aesthetic senses since ancient times. As a result, the
peculiar culture which is not seen in other countries blossomed and many aspects of the modern Japanese
culture come from it. Parts of Japanese culture has been introduced to people in other countries recently,
so the number of people from other countries who are interested in Japanese culture has been increasing.
However, the Japanese aesthetic senses, which are the bases of Japanese culture, have been nurtured
through a long history, intertwining various elements intricately, such as climate, geographical features,
religion, customs and so on. Therefore, they are very difficult to understand not only for people from other
countries, but even for the Japanese people. I think the best tool which conveys these difficult senses
understandably is a “kakejiku.”
 The kakejiku (a hanging scroll; a work of calligraphy or a painting which is mounted and hung in an
alcove or on a wall) is a traditional Japanese art. It's no exaggeration to say that paintings are what
express aesthetic senses at all times and places. The kakejiku is an art which expresses the Japanese
aesthetic senses. The kakejiku has long been used in traditional Japanese events, daily life and so on since
ancient times. As a result, there are various customs of kakejiku in Japan; kakejiku and the life of the
Japanese are closely related. We can see Japanese values through kakejiku.
 The kakejiku is a cultural tradition which the Japanese people should be proud of. However, many people
in other countries don't know much about it because it hasn't been showcased as much. This is why I
decided to try to introduce it. The kakejiku world is very interesting and beautiful. We want not only the
Japanese, but also many people from other countries to know and enjoy it. I hope that many people will
love kakejiku someday.

(or press ESC or click the overlay)