The Order of Culture is an honor given to those who have made notable achievements in the development of academics, art and culture, and was established in 1937. As of November 2016, the number of the recipients is nearly 400, and among these, 39 Japanese painters have been honored. They include Yokoyama Taikan and Takeuchi Seiho, who are known as the two great masters of modern Japanese painting, as well as Kawai Gyokudo, Yasuda Yukihiko, Uemura Shoen, who was the first woman recipient, and Matsuo Toshio, the most recent recipient.
This exhibition will be held in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Order of Culture. We will exhibit works by 18 honored Japanese painters, including Taikan and Seiho, and Hirakushi Denchu, a carver, which will be selected from the museum’s collection. Each of the artists reached the highest level of regard in their genres. Tracing their achievements and appreciating their works provides a good overview of modern and contemporary art history. We hope you thoroughly enjoy masterpieces by these artists, of whom both the museum and Japan are proud.