Female Painters

The female Japanese painters in this exhibition were either influenced by being the daughters or wives of famous artists, or simply painted to earn a living. On display together for the first time are works from the museum collection by these painters, who were active in the early modern and modern eras (late 17th century onward). The exhibition also introduces the varied lives of these women, who include Kano school painters, literati painters, ukiyo-e print artists, and Western-style painters.

Little is known about female painters from before the early modern era, as few records about women survive from earlier periods in history. However, there are many extant works by painters such as Kiyohara Yukinobu, daughter of Kusumi Morikage; Ike no Gyokuran, wife of Ike no Taiga; and Katsushika Oi, daughter of Katsushika Hokusai. Their lives can also be glimpsed through family records. Using the terms "daughter of" or "wife of" may sound judgmental, but their families were undeniably an aspect of their identities as painters.

In contrast are the painters Okuhara Seiko, Atomi Kakei, and Noguchi Shohin, who were active around the beginning of Japan's modern era in 1868. These painters remained independent in a time of social change, and their works contain a supple, powerful energy that sought to create possibilities for female endeavor. After marrying an Italian and moving to Europe, Tama Ragusa achieved success in the Italian art world.

There are various types of painters, different in their painting styles and daily lives. We hope visitors, both female and male, can identify with the 12 painters introduced here.