Isson Tanaka
Have you heard of a painter named Isson Tanaka?
A painter who passed away in obscurity, having remained unknown his whole life, and whose name later spread through the media that took him up.
Described as “the Jakuchu of the Showa era” or “the van Gogh of Japan,” Isson was truly a solitary painter who led an astonishing life.
The Okada Museum of Art has a rather steep admission fee of 2800 yen. I hesitated a little, but hearing that there would also be a lecture by Director Tadashi Kobayashi, I took the plunge and paid a visit.
Cameras and smartphones are both prohibited. The entrance gate is fitted with a metal detector — a museum with security so tight it borders on the nervous. Since photography is not allowed, the images this time are again only of the museum’s exterior.
There are five works by Isson Tanaka on display in total (additional works are scheduled to be shown in the latter half of the run). It turned out to be an exhibition modest in volume, but works by Jakuchu, as well as by his Tokyo University of the Arts contemporaries Kaii Higashiyama and Wu Changshuo, were also lined up, making it an exhibition built on a plan that digs deeper into Isson Tanaka’s surroundings as well.
Gallery Talk by Director Tadashi Kobayashi
Director Tadashi Kobayashi’s talk grew so heated that it ran over its scheduled 90 minutes, and — including his account of reporting from Amami Oshima, where Isson moved in his later years — it became a precious lecture full of laughter and behind-the-scenes stories.
He shared many stories about Isson Tanaka gathered during his stay in Amami, and Isson’s life was so harrowing that his works and message reached the very depths of my heart.
Though he ended his life without ever being recognized as an artist, an article by a reporter from the Minaminippon Shimbun led to an NHK program, and he rapidly won acclaim. I found myself thinking that someday I would like to visit the museum in Amami Oshima.
Foot Bath
After leisurely viewing the other exhibits as well, I soaked slowly in the foot bath.
To relieve the fatigue of having toured such a large museum, I lost track of time and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
https://art-on.jp/ashiyucafe-okadamuseum/
