Hayami Gyoshu (1894～1935) lived and worked in Tokyo, and has left a significant mark on modern Japanese painting. His excellent works and honest, pursuing attitude toward artwork were revered by the painters of the time. Tanaka Isson (1894～1935), 14 years younger than Gyoshu, was one of those who respected Gyoshu.
Magnolia (Noble Flowers in Spring Garden) by Gyoshu and Ruddy Kingsfisher and White Flowers by Isson, both in the museum collection, are representative works of each artist. The two paintings magnificently depict the forms of nature, and show the artists striving for an extremely high level of painting, transcending differences in their period, environment, materials, and techniques.
To commemorate the 90th anniversary of Gyoshu's death in 2025, these two works will form the centerpiece of an exhibit featuring four works by Gyoshu and seven by Isson (two of Isson's are from a private collection, the others are from our museum collection). The exhibition also features works by Kano Hogai, Hashimoto Gaho, Tomioka Tessai, Ohashi Suiseki, Yokoyama Taikan, Shimomura Kanzan, Hishida Shunso, Kawai Gyokudo, Uemura Shoen, Kaburaki Kiyokata, Kobayashi Kokei, Maeda Seison, Okumura Togyu, Tsuchida Bakusen, Murakami Kanagaku, Higashiyama Kaii, Kayama Matazo and others, exhibiting a total of approximately 50 gems of Japanese painting from the late 19th to the latter half of the 20th century.