Listen To Jakuchu's Song: A Collection of Hiroyuki Kano's Art Studies

A collection of essays on early modern painting by the mastermind behind the Jakuchu boom

In the art world, there are exhibitions that, looking back on them, clearly marked an era. The "200th Anniversary of Jakuchu's Death" exhibition held at the Kyoto National Museum in 2000 is a prime example of such an exhibition, sparking a massive Jakuchu boom that continues to this day. During that time, Jakuchu was initially perceived as a "nerd artist who only painted and knew nothing about leisure," despite being the owner of a Kyoto vegetable wholesaler. However, new materials have been discovered, transforming his image into that of a hero who saved Kyoto's Nishiki Market from the tyranny of the shogunate. Author Hiroyuki Kano has discussed each new discovery made at the exhibition, refreshing our understanding of Jakuchu with works such as "The Life of the Town Elder Jakuchu," "Listen to Jakuchu's Songs," and "Jakuchu, How Far Will You Go?" For many years, Kano has planned and realized captivating exhibitions at the Kyoto National Museum, captivating art fans from across the nation. He has continued to captivate them not only through the exhibits but also through the writings he has contributed to the exhibition catalogs. This book compiles Kano's art theory spanning half a century. He has astounded visitors with his writings on the rich world of early modern painting, woven together by artists such as Ito Jakuchu, Soga Shōhaku, Nagasawa Rosetsu, and Iwasa Matabei. Packed with the world of Kano, this highly engaging volume is a fascinating read.

[Recommended by the Editor] The author, who has been studying Jakuchu for over a decade, has written his own essays on the artist, tracing how, with the emergence of a certain document, Jakuchu, once described as a gloomy, nerdy artist with no interest in entertainment, transformed into a hero who saved Kyoto's Nishiki Market shopping district from the tyranny of the shogunate. Even just reading through his writings, which have been written over time, is as fascinating as a mystery novel.