We are pleased to present an exhibition of the art of Higashiyama Kaii, commemorating the centennial of the artist’s birth. Higashiyama was born in 1908. After completing the graduate course in painting at Tokyo School of Fine Arts, he continued his studies in Germany and then returned to Japan and began exhibiting in the official government salons, the Imperial Art Exhibition and the Ministry of Education Exhibition. Following World War II, he developed an original style of landscape painting, flatly painted and simplified, exemplified by the well known Road. He showed his reverence for life in views of city streets as well as nature, making a tremendous impact on the world of Japanese-style painting in postwar Japan. He is especially known for the wonderful murals in the Image Hall of the Toshodaiji temple, which can be described as prayerful landscapes because of their profound spirituality. Higashiyama painted in a straightforward and easily understandable manner, adding exuberant lyricism and deeply spiritual qualities to his paintings. He created mental landscapes derived from careful observation of nature, expressing ideas and feelings from deep within his heart. Higashiyama’s art is firmly connected to Japanese tradition but also displays a contemporary sensibility. That is why it appeals to so many people. This exhibition presents 101 major paintings and 53 sketches by Higashiyama Kaii, for a total of 154 works (at the Tokyo venue). Balmy Wind in Yangzhou and a part of Sound of Waves from the Toshodaiji murals are also included. The artworks are grouped into seven main divisions and five special sections, highlighting the evolution of Higashiyama’s style, his working process, and special features of his work which have not received sufficient attention in the past. Period Saturday, March 29 - Sunday, May 18, 2008 Venue The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo Transportation Access 3-1 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8322 3 minutes from Takebashi station(Subway Tozai Line) Hours 10:00 - 17:00 *Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays until 20:00 (last entry 30 minutes before closing) Closed April 7, 14, 21, May 12 Admissions Adult 1,300 (1,100/900) yen College students 900 (800/600) yen High school students 400 (300/200) yen Elementary and junior high school students are admitted free. *Prices shown in ( ) indicate advance/group (more than 20 persons) discount tickets. *Persons with physical or mental disabilities are allowed free entry with one accompanying guest. *Ticket prices include admission to regular exhibitions. Organizers The National Museum of Modern Art, Nikkei Inc. Special Sponsor Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd. Sponsors Nipponkoa Insurance Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Corporation With the special support of Toshodaiji Temple General Inquiries 03-5777-8600 (Hello Dial: in Japanese) Next Venue Nagano Prefectural Shinano Art Museum/ Higashiyama Kaii Gallery Saturday, July 12 - Sunday, August 31, 2008