Nobutaka Oka and Susumu Maki both began studies in their teens as apprentices of Ryushi Kawabata and trained hard at Seiryusha. Though bound by a deep bond of affection, they went on to become independent. This exhibition displays works from our collection, showcasing these key figures of contemporary Nihonga. Experience this focus not only on Oka’s elegant flower-and-bird paintings, which incorporate stylized aesthetics, but also on Maki’s masterpieces, which depict the beauty of impermanence using the loveliness of Japan’s nature as a subject. This unique exhibition may only be enjoyed at our museum, as we proudly have assembled a large signature collection of works by both artists.

Nobutaka Oka 1932~
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture. In 1950, he joins Seiryusha Institute, headed by his grandfather, Ryushi Kawabata, and appears in the Seiryusha Exhibitions. Becomes Seiryusha fellow (shayu) in 1957 and member (shajin) in 1961. After Seiryusha dissolution following Kawabata’s death in 1966, Oka goes independent, focusing on solo exhibitions. His father-in-law was Shoji Hamada. He creates the following works: ceiling paintings at Dairen-ji temple, in Kawasaki; ceiling and sliding-door paintings at Zenko-ji Daihongan, in Nagano; and sliding-door and ceiling paintings at Zojo-ji temple, in Shiba. In addition to the Oka Collection of his father, Michitaka, who was a doctor and antique art collector, Oka donates his own collection of old folk art to many art museums in Japan, as well as to the British Museum and Dongguk University Museum in Korea. In Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture, with which he has deep ties, is the Nobutaka Oka Collection Suzaka Classic Museum.

Susumu Maki 1936~
Born in Tokyo. Approached by Ryushi Kawabata in 1952 at the Seiryusha Exhibition, he becomes his apprentice at age 15. For 14 years, until Kawabata's death in 1966, he undergoes rigorous training at Kawabata’s residence, Gogyo-so. After Seiryusha dissolution following Kawabata’s death, he remains independent and focuses on solo exhibitions. In 1975, he wins the Excellence Award at the Yamatane Museum of Art Award Exhibition. His works, which pursue a Japanese aesthetic sense, get high praise from literary master Yasunari Kawabata and Japanese literature scholar Donald Keene. At the request of the government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he promotes friendship with other countries, creating works to be installed at ASEAN Headquarters, the University of British Columbia in Canada, the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Paris, and other locations. He also creates murals for the Ikegami Honmon-ji temple’s Reihoden Hall and sliding-door paintings for Myokyo Hoon Zenji temple, in Ichinomiya City. In 2023, he is honored as a Person of Cultural Merit.

These high-density paintings, created with a unique technique of running water, are detailed and beautiful while pursuing durability of the painting surface, thus presenting a sense of landscape painting never seen before. Pieces that evoke emotive nature, such as sky scenes that change over time as well as fluid waterside scenes, will be exhibited together with signature work, including a large canvas-size masterpiece, comprising recent and new works. This has been a long-awaited exhibition.

Shohei Takasaki 1968~
Born in Tokyo. Graduates from Department of Japanese Painting at Tokyo University of the Arts and completes graduate studies there. Awards include the Excellence Award, Sankei Japanese Painting Award Exhibition; the Grand Prize, 1st Shinshu Takato’s Shiki Exhibition; and the Encouragement Award, Maeda Seison Memorial Grand Prize Exhibition. Mainly active in solo and group exhibitions. Many works appear in corporate calendars, including Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ Bank (now Mitsubishi UFJ Bank). In 2019, he provides painting assistance for the film Yokogao. Takasaki’s lyrical landscapes deploy majestic natural scenes of mountains, rivers, and oceans, as well as cherry blossoms, historic sites, and other elements of Japan’s natural features. His aim is to use mineral pigments to express the flow of time in nature on a high-density painting screen.

This signature exhibition of works from our Narukawa Art Museum collection showcases works by Yoshihiko Yoshida, Fumiko Hori, Hiroshi Takeyama, Matazo Kayama, Ikuo Hirayama, Sawato Fukui, Koichi Ishiodori, Hitoshi Kobayashi, Taimei Hori, Tadao Okazaki, Masaru Matsumoto, Shigetomo Kurashima, Masaaki Miyasako, Yuji Tezuka, Shunei Nishida, Masato Yanagisawa, Yoshie Aoki, and others, focusing on those of landscapes of India, China, and Europe.