Thursday, May 29, 2008

Shukado Newletter No.13 Saito Shinichi Exb.

Hello! This is Sachiko sending Shukado Newsletter vol.13.

We are enjoying beautiful flower season in Japan!
Although I was thinking about writing the continuation of the previous newsletter on ukiyo-e, we have an important announcement for you regarding "Shinichi Saito Exhibition" which will be held at our gallery in Ginza.

Before I write about the Shinichi Saito Exhibition, I would like to touch upon some interesting comments from our Japanese newsletter written by Ikuko-san who is in charge of customer relations with overseas customers at Shukado. She wrote: -------------------All of staffs at Shukado are very busy with preparation for the Saito Shinichi Exhibition and publication of the catalog. I recalled about one year ago when we were very busy with catalog publication around this time.

One year has passed since I joined Shukado. Although I am still very "green" in this art dealing business comparing to our chairman who has an extensive experience of 40 years in this business, I gradually learned about the correlation between the quality of the item and the customer. After one year experience of handling inquiries from customers regarding valuation of the customer's items, I have noticed that there is a correlation between the customer and the quality of the items.

In short, the customer who do not give his/her name, who often give complaints or who is in a hurry to have his/her items evaluated, usually do not have valuable items. (I do not mean that it is not good to make complaints or claims. Your comments are always welcome.)If I get very negative impression from the customer, the item of the customer is usually found out to be a fake item.

I do not know why it is so but this is usually the case.
(End of her comment)

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Ummm… It is very interesting.
Let me get back to the track here.

****** Shinichi Saito Exhibition ******
Shukado gallery is now in the dark.Mysterious atmosphere is created by the paintings depicting Goze (blind female performers), courtesans and a woman weeping with big tears. You may hear the sound of Tsugaru Shamisen (three stringed Japanese instrument) there. Pocket-size catalog adds a flavor to the exhibition.
https://www.syukado.jp/en/catalog/index.html#saito

What is this about?
"Shinichi Saito Exhibition" is being held from Monday, May 26 to Saturday, May 31. The title of this exhibition is "Shinichi Saito --- His Wander of Sorrow ---". Shinichi Saito came to know about wandering Goze for the first time on his trip to Tsugaru, northern Japan. He was captivated by Goze's attractiveness and often visited Echigo (Niigata prefecture) where they came from. He even traveled in the mountains to see them. Saito himself wandered to chase wandering Goze and continued to create paintings depicting them like a strolling story teller. We introduce selected 12 items of Shinichi Saito's artworks including rare items from 50's, Goze Diary series, Yoshiwara Saiken-ki series and his manuscripts.

Through Saito's artworks and his world view, I hope that the visitors will see sorrow and melancholy of life, pain and joy, love and illusion and meanings of life.Complimentary copies of the exhibition catalog are available at the venue.
If you are in Tokyo during this period, please visit our exhibition.Detailed information on the exhibition available here
→http://www.syukado.jp/jp/gallery/2008saito_shinichi.html (Japanese Only)

And you can request the pocket-size catalog of Saito Shinichi Exhibition. https://www.syukado.jp/en/catalog/index.html#saito (For Free!)

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Profile: Shinichi Saito (1922-1994)
Shinichi Saito is a famous western style painter. He graduated from Tokyo Fine Arts School in 1984. He traveled around Europe on a motorcycle in 1959 and studied in France then met with Tsuguharu Fujita (Leonard Fujita).
In 1971, his artwork "Elegy of Misao Goze --- Echigo Goze Diary" was awarded honorable mention of the 14th Yasui Award. In 1973, his essay depicting Goze and his unique view of spiritual world was awarded Japan Essayist Club Award. Through his award winning painting and essay brought Goze women, who played shami-sen musical instrument in deep-snowed Tusgaru region, into a spot light.
His novel "Yoshiwara Enjyo (Yoshiwara on Fire)" was often used for the theater plays and films.
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Well, I would like to wrap up my news letter here by introducing you our recommended items.
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New Arrivals:
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Mio Goseki's Tiger in the Snow
http://www.japanese-finearts.com/item/list2/108001410/

Mio Goseki (1885-1946) was born in Tokyo. His real name is Hidetarou. He was taught by a famous Shijyo school painter Oohashi Suiseki who was well known for his excellent paintings depicting tigers. Goseki is also well known for his paintings of tigers.

The contrast between soft white snow and ferocious tiger is very distinctive. Sharp and neatly depicted tiger's fur and its muscular body look outstanding. This painting will give the viewers a sense of overwhelming presence of the tiger. The vividly painted tiger looks like to roar at any moment.

And more:Tsubaki Chinzan's Flower Scroll and Mori Kansai's Deer in the Mountain
http://www.japanese-finearts.com/item/list2/108000620/http://www.japanese-finearts.com/item/list2/108000970/

Otani Kubutsu's White Robed Kannon Scroll
http://www.japanese-finearts.com/item/list2/108000082/
That is all for this week.
Have a wonderful week!
Sachiko & Chiaki

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