This Issue’s Theme[Kokubunji and Art]meetsZenzaburo, who painted many landscapes around his studio, tried to capture various expressions observed in momentary fluctuations due to time, weather, and seasons in the same spot, using a variety of colors.After learning many episodes related to his paintings from his grandson, including the production process and the background of the times, the impressions I had of the works were curiously different from those I had when I first saw them. Zenzaburo was so sensitive that he would sometimes be moved and shed tears while viewing his own paintings. That is a completely unfamiliar aspect of him, dif-ferent from the somewhat austere figure presented in the photograph. Through his paintings, which stimulate our imagination, I was able to experience the scenery of old Kokubunji.19Kokubunji, located at the geographical center of Tokyo, is the place where Rion was born and grew. What kind of a town is it?In this corner, Rion staff members visit the people and places in town and report on their charm.In this issue we visited Gallery Kojima, whose unique architecture and art collections attract even visitors from overseas.The current owner, Toshio Kojima, is a grandson of the Western-style painter Zenzaburo Kojima. We’ll explore the scenery of Kokubunji through the eyes of residents over the generations.APT on the hill / Gallery KojimaThe APT on the hill was built on the site of the former studio of the Western-style painter Zenzaburo Kojima and is a place where people and art can meet. The name APT on the hill comes from the former Hilltop Apartment that once stood on an adjacent lot, with the acronym for Art, Perspective, and Textile added. It was designed by architect Terunobu Fujimori. The building itself is a unique work of art called the "Totan-no-Ie" The Kojima Gallery, located in the APT on the hill, collects and sells modern and con-temporary Japanese art, including works by artists like Zenzaburo Kojima, as well as crafts such as indigo-dyed items, Ainu tex-tiles, and adventurous works from all over the world. The gallery holds several exhibitions each year to introduce its collection.Scenery of Kokubunji attracting both painter and art dealer, grandfather and his grandsonexpress a broader expanse in his paintings, which is why he moved to Kokubunji. To create his ideal works, he needed to refine his technique step by step. He needed to discern where to exaggerate and where to suppress, skillfully use colors to express depth, and learn the delicate balance of effects generated by different techniques. I think he chose Kokubunji be-cause it has a certain rhythm to its topography with many hills and valleys. Working in Kokubunji played an important role in the creation of the large-scale paintings he produced later in his life.” When asked about his favorite painting by his grandfather, Toshio answered that it’s difficult to choose one, but he pointed to the work titled “East Wind” (1939). “This is the landscape viewed from here, toward the direction of the JR Chuo Line tracks. One of the great appeals of Zenzabu-ro’s work is the fleeting atmosphere in nature he captured on the spot.”As was depicted in “East Wind,” Zenzaburo was very fond of painting the rice fields that spread out along the banks of Nogawa River. “It’s natu-ral, but not a wilderness. You see human activity. It’s a space where nature and people coexist. I think that’s one of the reasons Zenzaburo chose Kokubunji,” says Toshio.Although living in different eras, the painter and his art dealer grand-son each chose Kokubunji. Nature and human life have changed over time, but Kokubunji still retains its charm through its connection to art.Gallery Kojima is located just a five-minutes’ walk away from Rion. In a residential district, one instantly notices the metallic shine given off by the unique building covered with galvanized steel plate. Once inside, you feel as if you’re visiting someone’s private home, a feeling you rarely experience in other galleries.The owner, Toshio Kojima, opened his art gallery in Kokubunji in 2014. He established his first art gallery in Aoyama in 1979, then moved to Ginza and then Roppongi. But eventually, he realized that running an art gallery in an area lined with luxury stores was not his style. “The urban center is a place of extraordinary things, not a place to live,” says the owner. “I’d like to have a gallery in an environment closer to people’s everyday lives.” After considering various locations to move from Roppongi, he chose Kokubunji, the hometown of his family. Here, blessed with opportunities to hold exhibits and events in a way closely connected to the local community, he often finds himself being grateful for the character of this town.The location where the Kojima Gallery now stands is the site of the former residence and art studio of Zenzaburo Kojima, Toshio’s grandfather. The painter chose this place with a clear intention of creating “Japa-nese-style oil paintings that are not imitations of Western art.”“Before relocating to Kokubunji, he had worked at his studio with themes drawn from a relatively narrow perspective, such as the motifs in his garden,” explains his grandson. “But he seems to have wanted to Toshio KojimaPresident of APT on the hill /Gallery Kojima Co. Ltd.Grandson of the Western-style painter Zenzaburo Kojima. Born in Kokubunji City. He opened his first Gallery Kojima in Aoyama as a gal-lery dealer in 1979. He later moved his gallery to Ginza and then Rop-pongi, and since April 2014, has continued his business at the APT on the hill in Kokubunji. He works to honor the life of Zenzaburo Kojima as a painter by compiling compre-hensive art collection books and holding exhibitions. He is also a pro-fessional art appraiser.Zenzaburo Kojima (1893–1962)A Western-style painter who played a major role in the Western-style painting circle in Japan during the Showa period. His style boldly combines the two-dimensional expression of Japanese painting with the three-dimensional expression he had learned while studying abroad in Europe. His landscapes integrate two-dimensionality and three-dimensional depth and successfully blend emotions with color.(Left) Zenzaburo Kojima painting in Kokubunji; (Right) “East Wind” 1939OUR FAVORITE TOWN, KOKUBUNJI—RION STAFF SHOW YOU AROUNDCoordinated by Sanae TanahashiAfter interviewKOKUBUNJIRion
元のページ ../index.html#21