Toshihiro Hamano : the beauty of Chugu-ji

Hamano, Toshihiro and Oshima, Hiroko (2005) Toshihiro Hamano : the beauty of Chugu-ji. [Show/Exhibition]

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Abstract

The origin of this output was a large-scale commission from the Very Reverend Koson Hinonishi, Mother Superior of the Chugu-ji Temple, Nara, Japan. The first stage, involving two permanent murals (‘Sea of clouds and mountains in the distance’ and ‘Flying angels’) was completed during the 1990s. The works realised after 2001 were sliding doors (entitled: Beginning, A [Alpha] and Un [Omega]) and a series of temple screens (Bamboo Grass and Prayers: the illustrated life of Prince Shotoku). Chugu-ji Temple is a famous Temple in Nara, the ancient capital of Japan. Hamano’s commission is situated in a new annexe where his doors and screens surround the contemporary reconstruction of a medieval carving of the Buddha. Hamano’s preparatory and completed work for the Temple was exhibited at Wako Hall Gallery, Tokyo (2005). This output was curated by the gallery with the Ryu, and explored Hamano’s interest in traditional fusuma painting and his return to the traditional fusuma narrative on the life of Prince Shotoku (574-622). This Prince introduced Buddhism to Japan and created the islands’ first political constitution. Hamano’s recreation involves four screens depicting 70 scenes of the life and high deeds of Shotoku. The exhibition sought to maximize public access to the commissioned artworks before their dedication at Chugu-ji and the importance of the occasion was indicated by the presence of the Japanese Imperial family at the reception. During the commission, Hamano made two further paintings on the Prince Shotoku theme for the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The paintings were displayed in the VIP room of the Japanese pavilion during Expo 2005, Aichi, Japan. In a major publication on Hamano (published 2004), Ichirô Hariu, President of the Japanese Federation of Art Critics, outlined the Ryu history. The book also illustrates the Temple commission.

Item Type:	Show/Exhibition
Additional Information:	Number of pieces: 4 screens, 2 sliding doors, 2 paintings. Media of output: CD, book
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Fusuma screens-Painting
Subjects:	V300 History by topic W100 Fine Art
Department:	Faculties > Arts, Design and Social Sciences > Arts
Depositing User:	EPrint Services
Date Deposited:	02 Oct 2008 11:11
Last Modified:	24 Oct 2017 08:11
URI:	http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/80

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