This summer, will animals on parade on the Fukuda Art Museum, Saga Arashiyama, Kyoto?

The term ‘zoological Garden’ is said to have been first used in the ‘Museum’ section of the first edition of Seiyo Jijo (Western Affairs), published by Fukuzawa Yukichi (1835-1901) in 1866. This exhibition, which aims to combine a museum with a zoological garden by displaying paintings of various animals such as lions, tigers and monkeys that are familiar to the public. 

Before the early modern period, animals were sometimes favourably depicted as objects of worship, with special powers, or as congratulatory symbols , such as longevity and prosperity of offspring, sometimes as meaningful beings. From the Edo period (1603 – 1868) onwards, painters such as Maruyama Ōkyo and Itō Jakuchū began to observe animals closely, sketch them and depict them in a more realistic manner.

This exhibition introduces the animals depicted by Japanese painters from 17th to 21st century, from such early modern painters to Konoshima Ōkoku, Hayami Gyoshū and Kayama Matazō, together with explanations of the meaning and ecology behind the animals.
The exhibition also draws attention to the keen eye for detail, the detailed drawing of hair and the refined colours, not to mention the differences in expression between the different artists.

(The Details of the exhibition and the exhibits list will be added later)

Exhibition Overview