TFAM holds special summer vacation concert

On August 10, the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum held a special concert at its theater over the summer vacation featuring soundtrack music from Japan’s premier animated films. Naoko Inamura did the vocals, the violin by Hiroko Ishikawa, cello by Sachiho Otsuka and piano by Fusako Hasegawa.

Famed animation director Nizo Yamamoto visits TFAM

Before the opening of the exhibition “The World of YAMAMOTO Nizo” on July 13, renowned animation director Nizo Yamamoto himself and his son Takao visited the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum on July 12. They toured the gallery space while accompanied by TFAM Director Akira Gokita and Deputy Director Yoshiro Shimizu.

The special exhibition “The World of YAMAMOTO Nizo” is open to the public from July 13 to September 16.

PHOTO CAPTION: From the right: Mr. Takao Yamamoto and his father, Nizo Yamamoto, TFAM Director Gokita and Deputy Director Shimizu

TFAM officials pay courtesy call on China’s Dunhuang Research Academy

On June 17, Director Akira Gokita and Curatorial Department Director Kenichi Hirano of Tokyo Fuji Art Museum met with Director Luo Huaqing of the Dunhuang Research Academy in Gansu Province, China. The Japanese museum officials were on a study mission on cultural artifacts of the Silk Road and spoke with Director Luo on the holding of another Silk Road exhibition.

Since the exhibition “Treasures from Dunhuang, China” (www.fujibi.or.jp/en/exhibitions/profile-of-exhibitions/?exhibit_id=1198510051) held in 1985, TFAM has continued exchange initiatives with the renowned Chinese academy. TFAM was also engaged in various exchanges with celebrated Chinese artist Chang Shuhong, whose dedicated work to protect the cave paintings and artifacts of the Mogao Caves came to be known as the “guardian of Dunhuang.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Director Luo Huaqing (center) flanked by TFAM Director Gokita (left) and Hirano

President of Universidad del Este in Argentina visits TFAM

On May 23, President Maria De Las Mercedes Reitano of Universidad del Este (the Este University) of the Argentine Republic and other members visited the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, sharing discussions on cultural exchange and viewing the special exhibition, “Samurai Dandyism: The Pride of a Warrior, From Swords to Inro Medicine Cases,” now being held at the museum.

Museum hosts medical research session on health effects of art

On May 8, the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum held an orientation on health effects on art (A-Health Japan) as part of an ongoing international medical research initiative. Conducted at museums, the research examines the effects of “participatory art” on people aged 65 and over, investigating how art influences in three categories: wellbeing, quality of life and physical health. This is a pioneering attempt in which museums from ten countries are taking part.

The examinees will participate in such activities as workshops and be asked to answer to an online questionnaire. The research aims to demonstrate that museums and art appreciation activities serve as a means to promote the mental and physical health of senior citizens.

Columbia University scholar speaks at TFAM

On May 2, the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum hosted a lecture by Dr. Megan Laverty, associate professor of philosophy and education at Teachers College, Columbia University. She spoke on philosophy and art appreciation, and the role museums play in educating the public on art. Yukiko Noguchi, a media interpreter for CNN and public TV network NHK, interpreted the lecture. Following the lecture, participants gathered before works on Napoleon Bonaparte on display at a TFAM permanent gallery to discuss the pieces based on what they learned from Dr. Laverty.

Former Okinawa governor visits TFAM

On April 24, former Governor of Okinawa Prefecture Hirokazu Nakaima visited the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum. He was welcomed by TFAM Executive Director Akira Kaneko, viewing the exhibition “Samurai Dandyism: The Pride of a Warrior, From Swords to Inro Medicine Cases.”

Delegates from Shanghai University Fine Arts College visit TFAM

On April 18, Distinguished Visiting Professor Hu Mingzhe of Shanghai University’s Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts and Academy students visited the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum. The Chinese delegation was welcomed by TFAM Deputy Director Yoshiro Shimizu, later viewing two ongoing exhibitions, “Samurai Dandyism: The Pride of a Warrior, From Swords to Inro Medicine Cases” and “500 Years of Western Paintings.” They spoke on TFAM’s longstanding initiatives to promote cultural exchange with China, as well as on “500 Years of Western Paintings,” which is currently being held at the Powerlong Art Museum in Shanghai, China.

TFAM officials pay courtesy call on PRC embassy in Japan

On April 15, senior representatives of the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum led by Board of Trustees Chair Kazuhiko Oshida and Director Akira Gokita paid a courtesy call on newly-appointed Cultural Counselor Shi Yongjing of the People’s Republic of China Embassy in Minato Ward, Tokyo. They spoke on past China-themed exhibitions held by TFAM—including “Treasures from Dunhuang, China,” “Great Romance of the Three Kingdoms” and “Chinese Characters: A Legacy and Marvel Perfected Over Three Millennia”—that have been realized through a longstanding cultural exchange program between the Japanese museum and China.

“The World of Man Ray” opened

The Tokyo Fuji Art Museum opened two exhibitions—“The World of Man Ray” and “Samurai Dandyism: The Pride of a Warrior, from Swords to Inro Medicine Cases”— on April 2 at its Permanent Gallery in the new annex. The Man Ray exhibition will be shown until June 30.

Man Ray (1890-1976) was a painter, photographer, objet d’art artist and filmmaker who, given his open and outgoing personality, formed friendships with numerous peers in the art world as well as Parisian aristocrats of his day.

The exhibition is divided into three sections—ranging from his stint and creations in New York and Paris to Hollywood—and features 80 of his paintings, photographs, objets d’art, books and film belonging to the TFAM collection.