Modern Tokyo artist – Sawako Art

Art Of Buddhism and Shintoism sharing the same Japanese Tree

April 5, 2019April 5, 2019Posted in Buddhism, Japanese Art, Japanese culture, Landscapes, Nature, ShintoismTagged Art of Buddhism, Art of Nichiren, Art of Shintoism, Buddhist and Shinto art, Buddhist art, Contemporary Japanese art, Contemporary Tokyo artist, Culture of Japan, Japanese Buddhist art, Japanese contemporary art, Japanese Shinto art, Modern Tokyo artist, Modern Tokyo News, Modern Tokyo Times, Nichiren art, Sawako Utsumi, Sendai artist, Shinto and Buddhist art, Shinto art, Tokyo news, Utsumi SawakoLeave a comment

Art Of Buddhism and Shintoism sharing the same Japanese Tree

Unlike the Islamist sword that cut down the tree of Buddhism and Hinduism in Afghanistan and other parts of Asia, the faiths and philosophies of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism have impacted greatly on Japan. Of course, the impact of all four had golden periods. Hence, while Confucianism and Taoism remain embedded in various areas of Japanese culture to varying degrees, it is Buddhism and Shintoism that remains firmly in the mindset.

In the latest art piece by the contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi, she reflects and deflects the reality of nature in various ways. On the one hand, the holy men walking towards a temple and shrine highlight the Buddhist and Shinto theme. However, the natural angle is based on reflecting reality.

For example, rather than heavy snow on the mountaintop, the snow is thicker on lowland areas. Equally, the adorable pink tree in the middle of the Buddhist temple and Shinto shrine is more akin to a warmer climate and different season. Likewise, the misty lowland scene and lovely blue skyline are meant to resemble the fusions and confusions of life.

Nichiren, one of the most famous holy Buddhist teachers from the land of the rising sun, uttered, “Worthy persons deserve to be called so because they are not carried away by the eight winds: prosperity, decline, disgrace, honor, praise, censure, suffering, and pleasure. They are neither elated by prosperity nor grieved by decline. The heavenly gods will surely protect one who is unbending before the eight winds.”

Likewise, despite the climatic conditions and skyline of Utsumi’s art piece appearing outside the norm of nature, the holy men of Buddhism and Shintoism remain unbending. Similarly, the attitude of Utsumi towards art neither craves recognition or material gain. Therefore, the spirit of the kami flows naturally between European and Japanese themes for Utsumi; the upshot is that chaos and conformity are just nuances to be expressed and manipulated.

Overall, the art piece titled“Art Of Buddhism and Shintoism sharing the same Japanese Tree,” is not only extremely beautiful to the eye, but it is also aesthetically appealing based on the chaos theory. Yet, while the chaos theory exists the beauty of Utsumi is that continuity is equally important. This is based on Buddhism and Shintoism that flows naturally in Japan, even if the words and edicts are vague to non-existent depending on applying to each respective faith.

Written by Lee Jay Walker

BELOW IS A NEW BOOK BASED ON THE ART OF SAWAKO UTSUMI

Book Review: Sawako Utsumi and her Kindred Spirit

European and Japanese Art: Buddhism, Christianity, Landscapes, Rinpa, Shintoism, Ukiyo-e, and Dutch Masters

http://www.lulu.com/shop/lee-jay-walker/sawako-utsumi-and-her-kindred-spirit/paperback/product-22830732.html – Please click on to order the book.

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/exiled-buddhist-cleric-nichiren-in-the-snow-sawako-utsumi.html – Exiled Buddhist Cleric Nichiren in the Snow

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/art-of-japan-and-the-two-paths-of-shintoism-and-buddhism-holy-men-in-the-snow-without-abraham-sawako-utsumi.html Art of Japan and the Two Paths of Shintoism and Buddhism: Holy Men in the Snow without Abraham

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/art-of-buddhism-and-shintoism-and-two-paths-in-the-snow-sawako-utsumi.html Art of Buddhism and Shintoism and Two Paths in the Snow

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/buddhist-cleric-nichiren-in-exile-and-homage-to-yoshitoshi-sawako-utsumi.html Buddhist Cleric Nichiren in Exile and Homage to Yoshitoshi

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/buddhist-cleric-nichiren-and-bleak-winter-in-exile-sawako-utsumi.html Buddhist Cleric Nichiren and Bleak Winter in Exile

http://sawakoart.com

Japan Artist and Nichiren the Buddhist Preacher: Trilogy of Exile in the Snow on Sado Island

December 13, 2016Posted in Buddhism, Japanese Art, Japanese culture, Landscapes, NatureTagged Art of Buddhism and Nichiren, Art of exile, Art of modern Japan, Art of Nichiren, Art of Sado Island, Art of snow and exile, Buddhism in Japan and art, Buddhist art in Japan, Contemporary Japanese artist, Japan and Buddhist art, Japan news, Lee Jay Walker, Modern Sendai artist, Modern Tokyo artist, Nichiren in art, Sado Island art, Sawako Utsumi, Sendai artist, Tokyo artist, Tokyo news, Tokyo news and art, Utsumi SawakoLeave a comment

Japan Artist and Nichiren the Buddhist Preacher: Trilogy of Exile in the Snow on Sado Island

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Nichiren (1222-1282) is one of the most famous Buddhist teachers to emanate from Japan. Yet, he was very outspoken during his lifetime and this led him to be exiled and embroiled in the political processes of his day – irrespective if intended or unintended. Therefore, the contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi focuses on a trilogy of Nichiren during his exile on Sado Island.

The wintry theme of the trilogy is meant to endorse the harshness of Nichiren’s exile. Despite this, it is clear that the first art piece is based on serenity and peaceful contemplation. Intriguingly, the second art piece focuses on the start of his bleak journey but solace can be seen in the background based on prior human contact. However, the third art piece depicts Nichiren against the harsh and bleak wintry conditions of Sado Island, whereby his exile looks treacherous.

Yet, if you go back to the first art piece titled Buddhist Cleric Nichiren in Exile and Homage to Yoshitoshi, then clearly Nichiren is at peace in the mountains. Hence, the second art piece titled Exiled Buddhist Cleric Nichiren in the Snow and the third art piece of the trilogy titled Buddhist Cleric Nichiren and Bleak Winter in Exile, are actually in the wrong order. This is based on Utsumi focusing on reality and unreality alongside the actualities of life itself. After all, often moving forward becomes firmly based on taking a backward step because the smaller things in life are now being negated based on greater ambitions. Indeed, many a politician, for example, succumbed to power and wealth – similarly, many families and friends become torn apart – or soon to be mere shadows – based on the natural causes and effects of capitalism, modernity, new relationships, and so forth.

Turning back to Nichiren, then I state in a past article that, “Nichiren, himself, was very independent because he believed firmly that the true path lay within his teachings based on his knowledge of the written word. This holy Buddhist cleric made many enemies based on rebuking other Buddhist schools of thought. Yet, passion, the search for truth, questioning concepts deemed false, challenging authority, equally adhered people to Nichiren.”

The Buddhist teacher Nichiren said, “Worthy persons deserve to be called so because they are not carried away by the eight winds: prosperity, decline, disgrace, honor, praise, censure, suffering, and pleasure. They are neither elated by prosperity nor grieved by decline. The heavenly gods will surely protect one who is unbending before the eight winds.”

In the trilogy by Utsumi, her focus is on “the seen” and “unseen.” Likewise, the time of life is not based on natural phenomenon but the spirituality of Nichiren. Hence, the timeline is incorrect because like wisdom, knowledge, virtue, and other noble ideas, then these can come and flow from all individuals at such a short notice. In other words, many a bad person did good things – and many a good person did evil, and so forth. Therefore, moments in time, perceptions, cultural aspects to individuals, and other important areas, are really illusionary based on the multi-dimensions of this world.

Overall, Utsumi, in her trilogy of Nichiren and his exile on the beautiful island of Sado Island, is based on a complex approach to what is deemed to be the reality of life. Also, and especially powerful, even when a person is abandoned it doesn’t mean that weakness and decline will follow. Therefore, the wintry theme and the trilogy of her art pieces are focused on many dimensions that will have different meanings to the respective viewer of her art.

Lee Jay Walker

BELOW IS A NEW BOOK BASED ON THE ART OF SAWAKO UTSUMI

Book Review: Sawako Utsumi and her Kindred Spirit

European and Japanese Art: Buddhism, Christianity, Landscapes, Rinpa, Shintoism, Ukiyo-e, and Dutch Masters

http://www.lulu.com/shop/lee-jay-walker/sawako-utsumi-and-her-kindred-spirit/paperback/product-22830732.html – Please click on to order the book.

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/exiled-buddhist-cleric-nichiren-in-the-snow-sawako-utsumi.html – Exiled Buddhist Cleric Nichiren in the Snow

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/buddhist-cleric-nichiren-in-exile-and-homage-to-yoshitoshi-sawako-utsumi.html Buddhist Cleric Nichiren in Exile and Homage to Yoshitoshi

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/buddhist-cleric-nichiren-and-bleak-winter-in-exile-sawako-utsumi.html Buddhist Cleric Nichiren and Bleak Winter in Exile

http://sawakoart.com

L.S. Lowry and Maurice Utrillo Through the Eyes of a Japanese Artist

January 9, 2016March 23, 2017Posted in Art of England, British culture, Cityscapes, French Art, Manchester ArtTagged Art of Europe, Art of Japan and culture, Art of L.S. Lowry, Art of Maurice Utrillo, Art of Sendai, art of tokyo, English art and Japan, English art and Japanese art, L.S. Lowry and Utrillo, Lee Jay Walker, Lowry and creativity, Lowry and Japan, Lowry and Japanese art, Maurice Utrillo and Japan, Modern Japanese artist, Modern Tokyo artist, Modern Tokyo News, Modern Tokyo Times, Richness of Lowry, Richness of Utrillo, Sawako Utsumi, Sawako Utsumi and art, Sendai art, Sendai artist, Tokyo art and Europe, Tokyo news and art, Utrillo and Japanese art, Utrillo and Lowry, Utrillo and religion, Utsumi Sawako and artLeave a comment

L.S. Lowry and Maurice Utrillo Through the Eyes of a Japanese Artist

L.S. Lowry (1887-1976) and Maurice Utrillo (1883-1955) were born in the 1880s and perished well into the twentieth century. Both individuals created countless amazing pieces of art but from very different angles. This reality hit a chord with Sawako Utsumi, who hails from the Sendai region in Japan, because she appreciates the richness of both artists.

Sawako Utsumi (http://sawakoart.com) is still searching and experimenting with her art but before focusing more internally, this delightful artist from Japan seeks to feel the souls of past great artists. Therefore, certain elements and cross-diversity themes in relation to Japanese and European art are currently paramount within the heart of Sawako Utsumi.

In the three art pieces highlighted in this article by Sawako Utsumi one art piece is in appreciation and admiration of L.S. Lowry, and the other two art pieces in relation to Maurice Utrillo. However, within her own personal art you will witness various themes and this applies to English landscapes, Japanese rinpa, Still Life, religious elements of various faiths – and the mirage of time, emotion, philosophy, space, and tricks within the shadows of European and Japanese art.

During the lifetime of L.S. Lowry, especially in the early years, many individuals within the art world didn’t appreciate his independent and creative art. Indeed, elements of snobbery and lack of feeling the artistic soul of L.S. Lowry within his heart, meant that some individuals looked down on him. Yet, true to the nature of L.S. Lowry, he responded by saying “If people call me a Sunday painter I’m a Sunday painter who paints every day of the week!”

I stress in a past article: “This comment by Lowry highlights his roots because it shows no weakness and highlights his enormous self-belief. Also, Lowry didn’t seek compassion because his art would do the talking. Therefore, people can either accept his uniqueness or reject it. Either way, Lowry didn’t desire compliance because he held firm to what made him special. However, in saying this, it must be stated that his art is more diverse than most people give him credit for.”

In contrast, it is clear that Maurice Utrillo had an easier route given the artistic reality of his mother and the many connections she had. Despite this, life was never easy for Maurice Utrillo because he suffered from various health issues, including mental health problems. Therefore, art became a form of therapy during the early stages but in time the soul of this amazing artist would be felt deeply.

Christianity would also impact on Maurice Utrillo despite his upbringing and the relentless struggles that he faced. I comment in a past article about this rich artist: “Throughout the life of Utrillo mental asylums became a reality because often he was interned into these institutions. Despite this, Utrillo produced an abundance of stunning art pieces and in 1928 he was awarded the Cross of the Legion d’honneur by the government of France. Also, by the middle of the 1930s Utrillo became increasingly religious in relation to Christianity.”

In the three art pieces by Sawako Utsumi titled Japanese Eyes and Utrillo, Lowry and Shadow of Japan and Mirage of Utrillo, it is clear that you can also feel the individualism of this modern artist from Japan within her art pieces. This is based on her admiration and appreciation of L.S. Lowry and Maurice Utrillo, while providing different color schemes and implementing certain dynamics in relation to creativity, culture, space, light, the mirage of time and personal meanings.

Lee Jay Walker

http://sawakoart.com – Sawako Utsumi personal website

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/sawako-utsumi.html – Sawako Utsumi and where you can buy her art, post cards, bags, and other products. Also, individuals can contact her for individual requests.

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/lowry-and-shadow-of-japan-sawako-utsumi.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/japanese-eyes-and-utrillo-sawako-utsumi.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/mirage-of-utrillo-sawako-utsumi.html

Japanese Art: Mount Fuji and Power of Mystery

June 28, 2015January 9, 2016Posted in Japanese Art, Japanese culture, Landscapes, ShintoismTagged Art of Japan, Art of Mount Fuji, Culture and art in Japan, Fuji art, Japanese art, Modern Sendai artist, Modern Tokyo artist, Mount Fuji and art, Sawako Utsumi, Sendai artist, Shinto art, Shintoism and art, Tokyo Art, Tokyo artistLeave a comment

Japanese Art: Mount Fuji and Power of Mystery

Mount Fuji in Japan means many things to different individuals because of the symbolic importance of this highly impressive and unique mountain. Internationally, Mount Fuji is famous and for individuals flying to Japan for the first time, then the view is amazing if you are lucky enough to see this stunning mountain. Naturally, in the world of Japanese art the power of Mount Fuji is equally illuminated to a higher level.

Sawako Utsumi, in her art piece titled Mount Fuji and Power of Mystery, is also creating another intriguing art piece. After all, the backdrop takes you back to past Japanese artists but within the setting of modern times.

This reality resembles the continuity of Shintoism whereby nature and blood remain potent. Indeed, just like the spirits of obon visit the living during the holy period, then the same common factor unifying Japanese art runs through the veins of all artists who paint Mount Fuji.

Lee Jay Walker

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/mount-fuji-and-power-of-mystery-sawako-utsumi.html

http://sawakoat.com

Old Japan at Nightfall by Sawako Utsumi

June 8, 2015January 9, 2016Posted in Japanese Art, Japanese culture, Nature, Rinpa artTagged Art of Japan, Art of rinpa, Culture of Japan, Japan art, Japanese artist, Kamisaka Sekka and Sawako Utsumi, Modern Japanese artist, Modern rinpa art, Modern Tokyo artist, Old Japan and tranquility, Rimpa art, Rinpa art, Sawako Utsumi, Sekka and rinpa art, Sendai artistLeave a comment

Old Japan at Nightfall by Sawako Utsumi

The mirage of Kamisaka Sekka can be felt in this art piece but with original themes based on the Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi. This applies to the altered nightfall and other areas in relation to the original by Sekka.

Thankfully, the original idea and new imposed concept really befits the end result by Sawako. After all, the other side of night is always a great time to think about the past and future. Therefore, the new touch by Sawako really stands out.

Overall, the delightful setting is a reminder of years gone by in old Japan based on the concept of tranquility and natural beauty.

Lee Jay Walker

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/old-japan-at-nightfall-sawako-utsumi.html

http://sawakoart.com

Japanese Artist and The Blossoming of Life by Sawako Utsumi

May 30, 2015January 9, 2016Posted in Japanese Art, Japanese culture, NatureTagged Art of Japan, Japanese art and nature, Japanese artist, Japanese Artist and The Blossoming of Life by Sawako Utsumi, Modern Japanese artist, Modern Tokyo artist, Sawako Utsumi, Sendai artist, Tokyo artistLeave a comment

Japanese Artist and The Blossoming of Life by Sawako Utsumi

Life comes and goes because death naturally follows the reality of this world. Of course, some people have faith, while others seek solace in nature.

Yet when viewing the most beautiful plants, flowers, and trees, then by merely connecting it appears that my life is blossoming. After all, what once I took for granted, I now wonder in awe!

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-blossoming-of-life-sawako-utsumi.html

http://sawakoart.com