Exhibition of Sakubei Yamamoto’s celebrated works opens

On February 11, “A Tenth Anniversary Memory of the World Register in 2011: Exhibition of Sakubei Yamamoto Collection” opened in the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum’s Permanent Galleries 6-7 of its New Annex. On May 25, 2011, the historical coal mine paintings, diaries and other works by Yamamoto (1892-1984) was incorporated in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, which was established to protect documentary heritage of outstanding value for humanity. Yamamoto, who actually worked as a coal miner, was the first Japanese to be approved for the honor. This exhibition is a retrospective of his oeuvre featuring 114 original works, drawn largely from his early creations, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Memory of the World Register decision.

Modern Japanese painter of women opens

“The Exhibition of Three Generations: Uemura Shoen, Shoko and Atsushi” opened at the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum on February 11. The exhibition, which is being held until March 13, was made possible by the Shouhaku Art Museum in Nara prefecture.

Uemura Shoen is a pseudonym used by Uemura Tsune (1875-1949), a renowned painter of bijin-ga, or traditional Japanese paintings of beautiful women, at a time when the social status of women in Japan was undergoing significant change. Shoen was the first female recipient of Japan’s prestigious Order of Culture Award and was hired as the Imperial Household’s official artist.

The exhibition also features works by Shoen’s two artistic progeny—her son, Shoko and grandson, Atsushi.

Sixth graders from Nibukata Elementary School visit museum

On December 17, sixth graders from the Hachioji City Nibukata Elementary School visited the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum as part of its art appreciation outreach program for children. To open, the students split up into small groups to view the “Ancient Egypt—Creation of the World” exhibition. They then took part in a “Gallery Talk” session on “From the Renaissance to the 20 Century—500 Years of Western Paintings” exhibition hosted by students taking a museum education course at Soka University, where the children were encouraged to use their imagination to create stories on individual works.

Peru’s chief of mission in Tokyo tours museum, three exhibitions

On December 21, Mr. Gustavo Figueroa (second from left), Chargé d'affaires of the Republic of Peru Embassy in Japan, paid a courtesy call on the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum. He was welcomed by TFAM Director Akira Gokita and Executive Director Akira Kaneko, with the Peruvian diplomat viewing the “Ancient Egypt—Creation of the World,” “From the Renaissance to the 20 Century—500 Years of Western Paintings” and “Western Prints: Its History and Allure” exhibitions.

Nibukata Elementary School students on art appreciation visit

On December 3, students from the Hachioji City Nibukata Elementary School visited the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum as part of its art appreciation outreach program for children. The fifth-graders viewed the “Ancient Egypt—Creation of the World” exhibition with students taking a museum education course at Soka University serving as docents.

Former El Salvadoran ambassador visits museum

On December 14, Ms. Martha Zelayandia (center), the former Ambassador of the Republic of El Salvador to Japan, paid a courtesy call on the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum. Ms. Zelayandia, who served as the El Salvadoran ambassador for nine years since 2011 and is fluent in Japanese, was greeted by TFAM Director Akira Gokita and viewed the “Ancient Egypt—Creation of the World” exhibition.

Former UNESCO head and Tokyo College of Music professor visit museum

Koichiro Matsuura (second from left), former director-general of UNESCO and Japanese ambassador to France, and Sawako Takeuchi (second from right), visiting professor of liberal arts at Tokyo College of Music, visited the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum on December 3. The two were greeted by Curatorial Department Director Kenichi Hirano, who then guided them on a tour of the “Ancient Egypt—Creation of the World” and “From the Renaissance to the 20 Century—500 Years of Western Paintings” exhibitions as well as the “Through the Looking Lens: Ancient Ruins of the World” photo exhibition.

Top Lilycolor executive visits TFAM

On December 1, Toshiyuki Yamada (center), who serves as president, representative director and operating officer of interior products provider Lilycolor Co., Ltd., paid a courtesy call on the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum. He was greeted by TFAM Director Akira Gokita, who led him on a tour of the “Ancient Egypt—Creation of the World” and “From the Renaissance to the 20 Century—500 Years of Western Paintings” exhibitions as well as the “Through the Looking Lens: Ancient Ruins of the World” photo exhibition.

MUFG Bank executive advisor visits museum

Nobuyuki Hirano (center), former chair of the MUFG Bank, Ltd. and current executive advisor, visited the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum on November 24. Mr. Hirano was greeted by TFAM Director Akira Gokita, who guided him on a viewing of the “Ancient Egypt—Creation of the World” exhibition featuring some 130 works selected from the superlative collection of the Egyptian Museum of Berlin.

Students from local elementary school take part in museum’s art appreciation program

On October 30, students from the Hachioji City Toyo Elementary School visited the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum as part of its art appreciation program for children. The children were accompanied by their guardians and educators from the city and other schools.

Divided into three groups, the students learned the differences between an angel and cupid; they also studied sculptures by Antoine Bourdelle (1861-1929) and Aristide Bonaventure Jean Maillol (1861-1944), comparing them to “The Age of Bronze” sculpted by Rodin, which they had viewed on an earlier visit to TFAM.