"The Jetavana Monastery" 1981 Deep in the forest, the Lord Buddha is preaching to his disciples who are listening intently to his words. The golden glow emanating from the dark greenery of the forest and the shadows of the people lend a sublime magnificence to the painting. The painting is not simply based on a religious theme but one that strongly reflects the artist’s religious beliefs and experiences. Hirayama Ikuo (1930~2009) : Hirayama was born in Setoda-cho, Hiroshima Prefecture. In 1952, he graduated from the Tokyo School of Art, and became a disciple of Maeda Seison. Although suffering from the aftereffects of nuclear radiation, he produced a series of paintings depicting the introduction of Buddhism to this country, instilling them with his fervent hopes for world peace. Later, he sought to depict the source of Japanese culture, producing magnificent masterpieces, some of which had the Silk Road as its source of inspiration. Besides creating such superb works of art, he is also involved in the restoration and preservation of the cultural heritages and cultural assets of the world and is internationally appreciated for his unflagging efforts. Hirayama received the Order of Cultural Merit in 1998. Copyright of all the pictures in this Web site belongs to the artists or the Adachi Museum of Art