Himeji Castle

In 1954 Togyû heard news of the dismantling and restoration of the central keep of Himeji Castle. The following year he went and spent a week there, making countless sketches of the castle. About this time, Togyû said, "I had some sort of liberating feeling, a feeling that I could paint with increased freedom and vigor." In this image the entire form of the castle is not so much effortlessly squeezed into the composition, rather it is an image taken after going around the Gate "Ro" (Second Gate) and peering at the castle from the side. This unique and bold compositional approach further emphasizes the grandeur of the castle keep. A careful look at the works that post date this painting reveals that the limited palette and use of planes indicate the influence of Cézanne, a painter adored by Togyû.