Before the modern period, people regarded painters differently. They were not seen as artists who, following their own whims and muses, painted what and as they wished. Rather, they made their careers by painting what clients requested.
After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Japan became open to change. Painters transitioned towards the modern idea of ‘artist.’ Works by painters who experimented and practiced their own art were shown at government-sponsored exhibitions. Here, the public could view select works and an exhibiting artist could make a reputation and receive orders.
Bijin-ga paintings of beautiful women by Uemura Shōen (1875-1949) were perennial favorites at these exhibitions. As an original artist, she was a matchless modern painter. Throughout her life, Shōen strove to express her refined ideal of feminine beauty. She was an inspiration to many younger artists.

The Fukuda Collection has one of the largest holdings of bijin-ga in Japan. We are celebrating the 150th anniversary of Shōen’s birth by presenting select, exquisite, beautiful works by Shōen and related artists.
We hope you will enjoy seeing how Shōen opened our eyes to a new way of regarding female beauty and how the bijin-ga genre developed.

At the second venue, the Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts and Culture, the exhibition continues with Ukiyo-e,the Launch Pad for Bijin-ga.

Exhibition Overview