Is this a masterpiece? Or is it a lost item? The Suntory Museum of Art’s unknown treasured collections are now available. “Suntory Museum of Art Collection Exhibition Masterpieces and Lost Items” opens | JBpress autograph

The Suntory Museum of Art has been working hard to collect art based on the basic philosophy of “beauty in daily life.”In addition to national treasures and important cultural properties, “Meihin” will be brought together, including works that have rarely had the opportunity to be exhibited from a collection of approximately 3,000 items. “Suntory Museum of Art Collection Exhibition Masterpieces and Lost Items” has started.

Text: Toru Kawagishi Photography: JBpress autograph Editorial Department

The viewer decides whether it is a masterpiece or a lost item.

Large-scale exhibitions that bring world-famous paintings from overseas to Japan are fun, but it is in the independently planned exhibitions that focus on art museum collections that the true power of museums is revealed. What kind of intention and direction did you have in forming the collection? How will you utilize that collection? How great is the curator’s planning ability and enthusiasm for the exhibition? The collection exhibition is a valuable opportunity to get a glimpse of various powers.

“Suntory Museum of Art Collection Exhibition Masterpieces and Lost Items” opened at the Suntory Museum of Art. The theme is “Meihin”. When you hear Meihin, the first thing that comes to mind is a “masterpiece” whose artistic value is recognized by everyone, such as being designated as a national treasure or important cultural property.

However, I am sometimes captivated by unknown “lost items” that have received little attention until now. There are no clear standards for separating “masterpieces” from “lost items,” and it’s not uncommon for a “lost item” to be more appealing to me than a famous “masterpiece.” I feel that encountering Meihin throughout my life is the greatest joy of art appreciation.

Pay attention to “Curator’s Whispers”

Since its opening in 1961, the Suntory Museum of Art has been collecting activities based on the basic philosophy of “beauty in everyday life.” This exhibition will feature well-regarded masterpieces such as the national treasure “Floating Line Aya Raden Maki-e Box” and the Important Cultural Property “Taiwan Marquis Equestrian and Horseback Folding Screen,” while also focusing on Meihin, which have rarely been exhibited until now.

The works on display are wide-ranging, including lacquerware, paintings, ceramics, dyeing and weaving, accessories, tea utensils, and glass. In addition to the usual explanations of his works, many of his exhibited works have captions titled “Curator’s Whispers,” which are fun to read. Hidden episodes and geeky information about the work are introduced, allowing us to see an unexpected side of Meihin. This “curator’s whisper” can be said to be the real pleasure of viewing this exhibition.

Along with “The Curator’s Whispers,” I would like to introduce some other works of interest.

“Obaku Ayasugi Makie Yuubun Kata Bunko” is a writing box for storing letters, etc. It has a stylish shape that resembles the conclusion of a folded letter, with a rose pattern on the front half and a hollyhock leaf pattern on the back half. As for why Aoi…

“Afuhi” in the hollyhock pattern is a phrase that means “the day we meet.” I’m sure it’s a strong and heavy wish to be able to meet the sender of the letter.”

The Important Cultural Property “Satake Book, Thirty-Six Poems and Paintings of Genjun” is a portrait of the poet Genjun deeply practicing his thoughts on poetry. The Satake Book, Thirty-Six Poems and Paintings was a two-volume scroll containing portraits of 36 poets selected during the Heian period, along with their waka poems and short biographies. It has been severed. After the division, each holder competed to create an elaborate mounting.

“The cover of “Genjun” is thought to have been designed by the former owner, Hoian Takahashi, a businessman and tea master from the Meiji to Showa periods, and is based on the theme of “the mask of water,” which is written in a waka poem. ”, we used paper with a suminagashi pattern that evokes the image of running water.”