The JDZB is pleased to present a selection of paintings from its own archives to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of HIGASHIYAMA Kaii. From 1985 to 1994, HIGASHIYAMA was closely and personally connected to the JDZB through his work as a member of the Board of Trustees. In 1989 he gave the house the original “Morning Clouds” (Asagumo, 1989), which is supplemented by numerous donations of lithographs, prints and literature about his work. This collection enables us to provide an exemplary insight into the creative diversity of the artist. As one of the best-known representatives of Nihonga (neo-traditional Japanese painting), he combined East and West in his works like no other. His travels and experiences in Europe, combined with his deep attachment to the Japanese view of nature, shaped an unmistakable style that is not only reflected in his famous landscape paintings, but also in his lesser-known cityscapes.

Biography
1908 born in Yokohama, spends childhood and youth in Kōbe │ 1926-33 studies Nihonga at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tōkyō │ 1933-35 studies art history in Berlin │ 1934 first exchange as a DAAD student between Japan and Germany │ 1945 military service │ 1950 the painting “Way” marks a new era stylistically │ 1968 completion of a mural for the new imperial palace and the cycle “Seasons in Kyōto” │ 1971-80 design of the Mieidō Hall in the temple Tōshōdaiji │ 1999 dies in Tōkyō

We would like to thank Ms. Merle WALTER for her friendly support as art historian and curator in helping to prepare this exhibition.