Waves and bamboo grove － Bamboo grove (Yokoyama Taikan)

Yokoyama Taikan (1868-1958) was born in Ibaragi prefecture as the son of a Mito Clansman. His real name was Hidemaro. He entered the Tokyo Fine Arts School as a member of the inaugural class and studied under Okakura Tanshin (1862-1913) and Hashimoto Gaho (1835-1908). Taikan explored various techniques of drawing in search of new styles of Japanese painting while revering the tradition of Oriental painting. He continuously led the Japanese painting circle as a prominent figure in The Japan Art Institute. Hishida Shunso (1874-1911) was born in Nagano prefecture. His real name was Mioji. Shunso also studied in the Tokyo Fine Arts School and later played an active role in The Japan Art Institute. He traveled India, the United States, and Europe with Taikan, and published paintings without outlines, so-called “vague style.” After returning to Japan, he was inspired by decorative arts of Rimpa school and broke the new ground. He died at the age of 36 due to an eye disease. Taikan and Shunso were both active and prominent figures in The Japan Art Institute. They were also good rivals and close friends. They sought a method to construct painting by the intensity of colors and light like Western painting without lines, which were considered the essence of Japanese painting, in order to respond to the question, “Is there any way to paint the air?” from the pioneer of Meiji era art circles, Okakura Tenshin. They jointly produced this work using the method which was the product of their pursuits, however the method was criticized as a “vague style” for its novelty. Taikan painted the bamboo grove. The painting shows his superb technique for gradually lightening colors for farther trees in order to give perspective to the layers of bamboo trees. Young bamboo trees are especially eye-catching with brighter blue. One has already grown high and in full leaf. Another is still keeping the brown outer skin from its bamboo shoot period on alternate sides of the stem to suggest early summer. In contrast, Shunso painted wild waves crashing against the rocky shore with a roaring sound. Small plovers in the sky emphasize the grandeur of waves breaking with sea spray. The shape of high waves and linear curve of the bamboo grove create a symmetry to form a well-balanced composition. Taikan was known as a hot-blooded man whereas Shunso was calm and collected. However, their dispositions seem to be swapped around in this work. Taikan painted the stillness of the bamboo grove while Shunso painted the motion of the surging waves.