Okumura Togyu

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Okumura Togyu (奥村土牛, b. 18 February 1889, d. 25 September 1990) was a famous Japanese modern painter of the nihonga style of watercolour painting. His original name was Yoshizo (義三)。 The name Togyu referred to a poem from his father who ran a publishing business.

Okumura is characterized by his works which achieve unusual, exquisute quality of colours through the application of the white kobun pigment 100 or 200 times as foundation.

Contents 1 Biographical details 2 Major works 3 Books and collections of work 4 Major collections holding works by Okumura

[edit] Biographical details

• 1889 Born in Kyobashi, Tokyo.
• 1900 Completes shogakko (junior school).
• 1926 Makes the acquaintance of Hayami Gyoshu.
• 1959 Becomes a director of the Japanese fine arts institute.
• 1962 Awarded the Japanese Order of Culture.
• 1978 Appointed chief director of the Japanese fine arts institute.
• 1990 Dies aged 101.

[edit] Major works

• 鳴門 （1959, 128.5×160.5cm）
• 鹿 （1968,　114.7×145.0cm）
• 醍醐 （1972,　135.5×115.8cm）
• 閑日 （1974,　73.0×100.0cm）
• 吉野 （1977,　108.6×184.4cm）
• 富士宮の富士 （1982,　76.1×115.1cm）
• 蠣 （1984,　102.0×131.0cm）
• 寅 （1985,　16.2×49.5cm）

[edit] Books and collections of work

• スケッチそのをりをり （collection of sketches, 1917）
• 牛のあゆみ （autobiography, 1974）

[edit] Major collections holding works by Okumura

• Okumura Togyu Memorial Museum (Nagano prefecture)
• Yamatane Museum