Celebrating the Art of Toshihiko Isao in a Special 90th Birthday Exhibition

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Japanese painter and art expert Toshihiko Isao, a JAPAN Forward contributor, turned 90 in April. In celebration, 20 of his most recent artworks are the subject of an exhibition titled "Toshihiko Isao New Works." From April 14, AKANE art gallery in Ginza will host the show for seven days.

Isao has made scenes of Musashino, a Tokyo suburb, the subject of his work for more than half a century. During World War II, when the young Isao was evacuated to Nagano Prefecture, he kept his sketchbook by his side night and day. When he returned to Tokyo for middle school, he began drawing Musashino once again.

In his 20s, many different styles of art flooded into Japan, capturing the eye of numerous Japanese artists, including himself. Cubism from Picasso, non-abstract works from artists such as Georges Mathieu, and many other trends captured the imagination of the Japanese art community.

Isao was inspired by them and experimented with many of these styles. However, when he fell into a slump with his career, it was painting his beloved Musashino that brought him out. Employing non-abstract expression, he has been painting scenes of Musashino ever since.

*Toshihiko Isao at his atelier before the exhibition (©JAPAN Forward)*

Isao's Thoughts

In an interview with JAPAN Forward, Isao says, "It is never enough. Having a passion for the scenery that I want to keep on painting and following this path in my work is an indescribable happiness. I wish to carry on drawing Musashino as long as my body moves."

These thoughts reiterated his remarks on "The Classic of Meiji era in 7 Series, Musashino Heibon/Edited by Hajime Shinoda" (1982, in Japanese, published by Gakken):

Musashino is where I was born, and somehow, I ended up drawing Musashino for my whole life. It was just as if I were controlled by an invisible string.

If I were to explain even more specifically, in Tokyo back then, there were many farms and copses of trees. In autumn evenings, red dragonflies would fill the sky, and the dancing silhouette of children with lime sticks would show in the sunsets. I was also in this scene with those children. – Toshihiko Isao

These days, Isao says that he is filled with a sense of mission to see through to the end of the vanishing Musashino. By capturing every scene of his old friend, Musashino, its scenery will continue to live on through Isao's art pieces. Furthermore, he himself will take root in the flame of Musashino and remain in the hearts of art lovers forevermore.

The artist who loved and grew up with Musashino as it changed will take you on a long walk deep into its lasting beauty.