Kayo Yamaguchi (1899-1984) developed his interest in portraying animals while still a child. He later apprenticed himself to Goun Nishimura, and learned the traditional technique of Japanese realistic-painting. As he furthered his career, Yamaguchi began to experiment with a more "modern" Western painting styles, and tried to combine those with his existing knowledge of Japanese art, inherited from Nishimura. Meanwhile, he also devoted much of his energy to nurturing new talent while teaching at a painting school in Kyoto. His educational contribution partially led him to receive the order of culture in 1981. This exhibition, a large-scale retrospective of Yamaguchi's work, will showcase some of his masterpieces along with drawings and pieces from when he was a child; till Dec. 16.
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto; (075) 761-9617; Enshoji-cho, Okazaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto; Higashiyama Station, Tozai Line. 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ¥1,300. Closed Mon. www.momak.go.jp/English/