Paper short abstract:

By analyzing the work Spring (1920) by the painter Tsuchida Bakusen (1887-1936) we will discuss the influence of the study and conceptualization of the idea of a "Momoyama art" and "Momoyama culture" as one of the creative triggers during the late Meiji and Taishō periods.

Paper long abstract:

During the first decade of the 20th century a critical appraisal of the arts related to the Japanese 16th century will end up configuring the new ideas of a "Momoyama art" and "Momoyama culture" within the artistic periodization of the young discipline of Art History in the country. The process would include as well the assimilation of a category of artifacts, which will be labelled as namban art, symbolic of an image of international relations and economic affluence, which was understood as a mirror of the Meiji period situation.

Tsuchida Bakusen 土田麦僊 (1887-1936) was a Kyoto based artist who headed a re-evaluation of the artistic works associated with the idea of Momoyama by claiming his pioneering use of it in order to create modern art. In this paper we will analyze the possible inspiration on namban altar pieces as one of the motivations behind the creation of his work Spring 《春》(1920) within a context of study and exhibition of those pieces during the Meiji and Taishō periods.