Ikuo Hirayama (1930-2009), who experienced the World War II atomic bombing of Japan, based his artistic values on his strong Buddhist faith and his search for peace. He traveled along the Silk Road to research the history of Japanese art and worked on many bold and grand paintings with Buddhist themes, such as his "Angkor Wat no Tsuki."
While living in his home town of Hiroshima, however, he also enjoyed a completely different style of painting, producing landscapes in gentler watercolors.
For the fifth anniversary of Hirayama's death, the Hachioji Yume Museum is showcasing about 70 of his works under the theme of passing on the message of peace to future generations; June 6-July 13.
Hachioji Yume Art Museum; View Tower Hachioji 2F, 8-1 Youkamachi, Hachioji, Tokyo. Hachioji Stn. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. ¥600. Closed Mon. 042-621-6777; www.yumebi.com
