Japanese Painter "Kyosai"

The exhibition

The Royal Academy of Arts is located in the heart of London.

An exhibition on Japanese painter Kawabe Kyosai was held here until 19 June 2022.

About Kawanabe Kyosai

Kyosai was renowned painter of the 19th century.

He learnt painting from many masters and produced unique works that interweaved a variety of techniques. He painted traditional, humorous, sexual and, new at the time, caricatures.

One of his distinguishing features was that he had the Englishman Josiah Condor as a pupil, and he also left an international works.

He experienced the collapse of the Edo Shogunate, which closed the country to the rest of the world, and the Meiji Restoration, which aimed to westernise the country. He had a turbulent life as a painter, losing his biggest patron, the shogunate.

However, such times made him more creative.

With the decline of the Shogunate's power, which had placed great emphasis on traditional techniques, he began to produce works that were freer and interwoven with a variety of techniques.

Exhibited works

▲The work appears to have been influenced by Christianity. It can be understood that the end of isolation and the transition to the Meiji Restoration were taking place.　

▲Anthropomorphic animals are depicted in the work. Frogs and cats are often depicted.

▲ People interested in the arts.

At this time, there were many meetings of calligraphy and painting, where calligraphers and painters would improvise their works in front of their guests.

Kyosai's works allow us to imagine how people enjoyed art at that time.

Links between his work and contemporary art

His innovative work has had a major influence on contemporary Manga and international tattoo design. He was a timeless artist who influenced the world. In London, tiger and dragon tattoos like the one in the picture are popular.

▶︎Video

▶︎Map

▶︎Official website of Royal Academy of Arts

Thank you for reading.