Kumagai Tsuneko Memorial Museum Kana no Bi Exhibition "Kana no Bi, starting with 'Tosa Nikki' and Tsuneko" to be held in commemoration of reopening
Exhibition
Kumagai Tsuneko Memorial Museum Kana no Bi Exhibition "Commemorating the Reopening: Tsuneko and Kana Beginning with 'Tosa Nikki'"
Date: February 2024th (Sat) - March 10rd (Sun), 12
Introduction of exhibition contents
The Kumagai Tsuneko Memorial Museum has been closed since October 2021 due to facility renovation work, but will reopen in October 10 and hold the Kana no Bi exhibition. Calligrapher Kumagai Tsuneko (2024-10) studied classics under Onoe Shibafune (1893-1986) and Okayama Takakage (1876-1957). In 1866, Tsuneko exhibited "Tosa Nikki (First Volume)" at the 1945th Taito Shodo-in Exhibition and won the Tokyo Nichi Nichi and Osaka Mainichi Shimbun Awards. "Tosa Nikki" is a piece of diary literature that represents the travel writings of Ki no Tsurayuki, who returned to Kyoto from Tosa Province (Kochi Prefecture) after completing his mission during the Heian period. Tsuneko created the work using the calligraphy style of "Sekidohon Kokin Wakashu," which she was copying at the time. He then recalls his feelings at the time, saying, "Having only recently begun the study of ancient calligraphy, I was torn between the desire to try writing and the feeling that I could not express it, and felt an indescribable anguish" (note).
Tsuneko studied classics and repeatedly copied them. "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" is a scroll in the "Tale of Genji" picture contest, and it is said that "the illustrations were by Kose no Soran and the handwriting was by Ki no Tsurayuki." Tsuneko tried to make "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" more emotional in an illustrated scroll (around 1934). She also created a folding scroll "(Copy) Sekidohon Kokinshu" based on the "Sekidohon Kokinshu" which is said to have been written by Fujiwara no Yukinari (the chief priest of Emperor Ichijo). Then, in memory of Shibafune and Takakage, Tsuneko sought further development based on her study of the classics, and served as a judge at the launch of the Japan Calligraphy Art Institute and became a commissioned artist of the Nitten Exhibition. In 1965, Tsuneko organized the first Katakoko-kai calligraphy exhibition.
Her first exhibition, Suma ni wa (1964), was based on the Suma section of the twelfth chapter of The Tale of Genji. Her 'Tsumite' (1982), which she exhibited at her XNUMXth birthday solo exhibition, expresses Hikaru Genji's affection for Murasaki no Ue in 'Wakamurasaki', the fifth chapter of The Tale of Genji, demonstrating her respect for old calligraphy. Tsuneko met Shibafune and Takakage, and worked hard to develop kana calligraphy. This exhibition will introduce representative works that express Tsuneko's dignity, from her early works when she first began kana calligraphy to masterpieces from her later years.
Tsuneko Kumagai and "Tosa Nikki"
Tsuneko praised "Tosa Nikki" as "The diary contains witty humor, bitter irony, and sentimental parts, and Ki no Tsurayuki's humanity is clearly expressed, and it is also a very literary work." (Note) In order to publish "Tosa Nikki (First Volume)" (only the first of the three-part series "Tosa Nikki") in 1933, Tsuneko tried drafting "Tosa Nikki" many times during the same period, and produced two volumes containing the complete text.
*Ki no Tsurayuki was a poet of the Heian period, and as one of the editors of the first imperially commissioned anthology of waka poetry, the Kokin Wakashu, he wrote the opening prologue in kana calligraphy. In addition, the "Koyagiri Sanshu" and "Sunshoan Shikishi," which are said to be handwritten copies of the twenty volumes of the Kokin Wakashu, are said to have been written by Tsurayuki. Tsuneko describes the characteristics of Sunshoan Shikishi, which is a copy of a poem from the Kokin Wakashu, as "a powerful and powerful brushstroke, written with a free and round brushstroke, transcending the mundane, and exquisitely elegant."
Note: Kumagai Tsuneko, "Unspeakable Feelings," Calligraphy, Vol. 1934, No. 2, February XNUMX, Taito Calligraphy Institute
Kumagai Tsuneko Memorial Museum Kana no Bi Exhibition "Commemorating the Reopening: Tsuneko and Kana Beginning with 'Tosa Nikki'"
Tsuneko Kumagai, Tosa Nikki (First Volume), 1933, Ota City Tsuneko Kumagai Memorial Museum
Kumagai Tsuneko, "Sumaniha (The Tale of Genji)", 1964, Ota City Kumagai Tsuneko Memorial Museum
Exhibition information
| Session | 2024/10/12 (Saturday) -12/8 (Sunday) |
|---|---|
| Museum Hours of Operation |
9:00 to 16:30 (Last admission 16:00) |
| Museum Holidays | Every Monday (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday) |
| Museum Admissions Fee |
Adults 100 yen, junior high school students and under 50 yen |
| Regional cooperation program | "Contemporary Art: As You Like It - Planar and Three-dimensional Works" 2024/10/12 (Saturday) -12/8 (Sunday) During the Kana no Bi Exhibition, we will hold a collaborative exhibition in cooperation with people who are involved in cultural and artistic activities in the area. This time, we will exhibit sculptures, collages, oil paintings, etc. by Eiko Ohara, who runs the "Eiko OHARA Gallery" in the ward. |
| Gallery talk | Saturday, October 2024, 10, Sunday, November 19, Saturday, November 11, 3 11:00 and 13:00 every day Advance application required for each session I will explain the contents of the exhibition. Please apply by calling the Ota City Kumagai Tsuneko Memorial Hall (TEL: 03-3773-0123). |
| Garden open to the public | Friday, April 2024, 11-May 1, 11 (Monday/holiday) 9:00-16:30 (entry until 16:00) The garden will be open to the public for a limited time. Please enjoy the garden along with the outdoor exhibits from our community collaboration program. |
| Venue |
Ota City Tsuneko Kumagai Memorial Hall (4-5-15 Minami Magome, Ota City) From the west exit of JR Keihin Tohoku Line Omori Station, take Tokyu Bus No. 4 bound for "Ebaramachi Station Entrance" and get off at "Manpukuji-mae", then walk for 5 minutes 10 minutes walk from the south exit of Nishi-Magome Station on the Toei Subway Asakusa Line along Minami-Magome Sakura-namiki-dori (Cherry Blossom Promenade) |