“GATE”
TANABE Chikuunsai IV(1973 - )2019
Tiger bamboo (torachiku)
©T. MINAMOTO
Japanese bamboo art is characterized by light, graceful forms composed of elaborate linear patterns. Its remarkably modern feel, giving a new perspective to the viewers, has been enhancing its worldwide recognition. The Diane and Arthur Abbey Collection of Japanese bamboo art is regarded as one of the world’s preeminent collections. It was first introduced to the public in 2017, in an exhibition organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art: “Japanese Bamboo Art: The Abbey Collection”. The present version of the same exhibition at the Museum of Oriental Ceramics Osaka brings together a selection of ceramics from the Museum’s collection with 75 modern and contemporary bamboo works from the Abbey Collection, all promised gifts to The Met.
In addition to the gallery display, contemporary bamboo artist, TANABE Chikuunsai IV (b.1973), one of the most well-known young artists active in Osaka, will create a large-scale bamboo installation designed for this venue, utilizing the open space above the entrance hall of the Museum. The exhibition, which takes place in one of the traditional bamboo production areas of Japan, highlights dynamic, sculptural works along with exquisite flower baskets, and explores the new possibilities of this field.
Special Exhibition: “Japanese Bamboo Art from New York: The Abbey Collection, Gifts to The Metropolitan Museum of Art”
Saturday, December 21, 2019~Sunday, April 12, 2020
※The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka is closed from Feb. 29 to Mar. 16 as a measure against the further spreading of the corona virus.
Mondays (open on January 13 and February 24), December 28 – January 4, January 14 and February 25
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka
9:30 am – 5:00 pm
※Open until 7:00 pm on December 21 and December 22
※Last admission: 30 minutes prior to closing
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka
Japan Broadcasting Cooperation Osaka Station
NHK PlanNet, Inc. Kinki Branch Office
The Mainichi Newspapers Co., Ltd.
NHK Promotions Inc.
Ueki & Associés
Japan Airlines
Imura Art Gallery, YUMEKOUBOU ANTIQUE
General admission 1,200 (1,000) yen
University and high school students 700 (600) yen
a. Prices in parenthesis are group discount rates for a party of 20 or more
b. The following visitors are free of charge:
① Holders of special IDs such as Shogaisha techo (Disability Identification Booklet), including one attendant
② Residents of Osaka City aged 65 or older (please show ID)
③ Junior high school students and younger children
75 works
Featured Exhibition Commemorating the Gift to the Museum: "Iridescent Sparkles of Tenmoku - Works by KIMURA Moriyasu"
Permanent Exhibition: Chinese Ceramics, Korean Ceramics, Japanese Ceramics, Chinese Snuff Bottles
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka
Phone: 06-6223-0055
Fax : 06-6223-0057
2019
Tiger bamboo (torachiku)
©T. MINAMOTO
1922
Height: 27.5cm
The Abbey Collection, “Promised Gift of Diane and Arthur Abbey to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.”
Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period (1736-1795)
Jingdezhen ware
Height: 32.8 cm
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka (Gift of SUMITOMO Bank, Accession No.01010)
This exhibition features a unique display which combines a bamboo work from the Abbey Collection with a ceramic work from our collection, through which the visitors can enjoy finding some connection or similarities between the two, such as their forms. For example, the flower basket with fish-shaped handles (above), which is a fine copy of a karamono or imported Chinese basket, and the double-handled porcelain square vase covered with tea dust glaze (below) were produced in different periods and made out of different materials but do have similar forms. Just as the form of the latter imitates that of an ancient bronze vessel, bamboo artists might also have been inspired by bronze, ceramic and lacquer wares and attempted to reproduce their texture while at the same time appreciated their differences. TANABE Chikuunsai I (1877-1937), who produced the above bamboo work, trained himself under Osaka bamboo artist WADA Waichisai I and is known for his Ryurikyo-style flower baskets, inspired by the painting of a flower basket by YANAGISAWA Kien (or Ryurikyo, 1704-1758, a Japanese literati painter), and works using koyadake or old bamboo arrow shafts.
ca. 1880s - 1890s
Height: 13.7 cm
The Abbey Collection, “Promised Gift of Diane and Arthur Abbey to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.”
Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Interacting with contemporary literati and tea masters, Osaka-based HAYAKAWA Shōkosai I (1815-1897) produced a large number of sencha (green tea prepared by infusing processed leaves in hot water) utensils. The prominent basket maker in Osaka, Shōkosai is said to be the first bamboo artist to sign his works. He also experimented with producing innovative forms of bamboo work using his knowledge and high level of skill for producing karamono (Chinese style) baskets. This work, one of the fruits of such experiments, is a western-style bowler hat woven with rattan. It is known that this hat was favored by the Meiji-era Kabuki actor ICHIKAWA Danjuro IX (1838-1903).
2018
Height: 182.0 cm
The Abbey Collection, “Promised Gift of Diane and Arthur Abbey to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.”
Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Beginning with his first solo exhibition in Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture in 1982, NAGAKURA Ken’ichi (1952-2018) presented his works in various solo and group exhibitions both at home and overseas. He created three-dimensional works displaying an organic sense in the liberal, innovative forms. Inspired by the prehistoric art forms and the works of twentieth-century Western sculptors as well as by nature, Nagakura’s sculptural works are marked by his dexterous use of the properties and texture of bamboo. In 2000, he became the first recipient of Cotsen Bamboo Prize, which ensured his fame to be indisputable. This work, having a graceful body, finely woven from thin strips of bamboo, and a bamboo node unassumingly appearing at the top, represents a slender figure of a woman.
ca. 1920s - 1930s
Total length: 124.0 cm
The Abbey Collection, “Promised Gift of Diane and Arthur Abbey to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.”
Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
ca.1955-1965
Height: 62.0 cm
The Abbey Collection, “Promised Gift of Diane and Arthur Abbey to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.”
Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
2008
Height: 78.7 cm
The Abbey Collection, “Promised Gift of Diane and Arthur Abbey to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.”
Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
ca.1910s
Height: 41.9 cm
The Abbey Collection, “Promised Gift of Diane and Arthur Abbey to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.”
Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
ca.1940s
Height: 19.2 cm
The Abbey Collection, “Promised Gift of Diane and Arthur Abbey to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.”
Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
2014
Height: 66.0 cm
The Abbey Collection, “Promised Gift of Diane and Arthur Abbey to The Metropolitan Museum of Art.”
Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.