In 1948, the Nihonga (modern Japanese-style painting) artist Yasuda Yukihiko was awarded the Order of Culture. The previous year, he had exhibited Oh-Shokun (Wang Zhaojun), a historical painting that became one of his most famous postwar works. Then aged in his mid-60s, he was at his most productive as an artist.
This picture album was a gift he received to commemorate the award from 32 so-called donin of the Japan Art Institute, an organization he later led as president. Donin is a term given to artists who are the preeminent members of the Institute, who are distinguished for their outstanding personal and artistic attributes. The album contains paintings and calligraphy by those artists and also an inscription at the end stating their intentions: “We present this album in celebration of your being awarded the Order of Culture. Donin of the Japan Art Institute.” (KASHIWAGI Tomoh)
In 1948, the Nihonga (modern Japanese-style painting) artist Yasuda Yukihiko was awarded the Order of Culture. The previous year, he had exhibited Oh-Shokun (Wang Zhaojun), a historical painting that became one of his most famous postwar works. Then aged in his mid-60s, he was at his most productive as an artist.
This picture album was a gift he received to commemorate the award from 32 so-called donin of the Japan Art Institute, an organization he later led as president. Donin is a term given to artists who are the preeminent members of the Institute, who are distinguished for their outstanding personal and artistic attributes. The album contains paintings and calligraphy by those artists and also an inscription at the end stating their intentions: “We present this album in celebration of your being awarded the Order of Culture. Donin of the Japan Art Institute.”
(KASHIWAGI Tomoh)