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Ginza Yanagi Gallery: A beacon for Western-style painting in Tokyo

2019/05/07
Shinzo Okuoka
Stepping into the Ginza Yanagi Gallery The Inclusive Mission of the Owner of Ginza Yanagi Gallery Strengthen the artistic reputation of Japan Where to buy art featured in the Ginza Yanagi Gallery Stepping into the Ginza Yanagi Gallery Tokyo is home to a variety of cultural centers, but among them, Ginza stands out for its artistic quality. Including the Ginza Yanagi Gallery, Ginza is home to many of the best art spaces in Tokyo. I am proud to be in Ginza, and a solo exhibition within its walls can change the path of an artist in Japan forever. Since 1994, it has served as a base for Western-style paintings by Japanese artists, offering a relaxed and modern space in which to spend a relaxing time. Stepping into the gallery, you will see Western-style paintings by contemporary Japanese artists, selected by the owner, Yoshihiko Noro, based on his personal appreciation of the artists' aesthetics. Many original oil paintings of figurative subjects such as landscapes, portraits, and still lifes are on display, giving them a unique and warm look. Hiroshi Okano for landscapes, Takumi Arita for frescoes, Minoru Hirota and Nobuyuki Shimamura for portraits: ...... These are artists who have often been introduced at Ginza Yanagi Gallery due to their strong ties with Mr. Noro over the years. In addition, female artists such as Akiko Fukunaga, popular for her caricatures, and Maki Matsuzawa, known for her precise landscape paintings, are also attracting attention. In addition to these artists, we would like to exhibit works from time to time by up-and-coming artists such as Reiko Kitao and Bontemps, who have recently joined the gallery, as well as classic impressionist painters from around the world such as Matisse, Renoir, Duffy, Chagall, Picasso, and Koji Fujita, and famous Japanese painters who emphasize oriental themes and techniques. We hope to exhibit works from time to time. Overarching mission of the owner of Ginza Yanagi Gallery Mr. Noro's passion for art is not limited to the financial success of the gallery. For more than 10 years now, Mr. Noro has been organizing "Ginza Gallery Tours," an event in which he guides visitors through simultaneous exhibitions at galleries in Ginza, with the aim of restoring the passion for creation and discovery that only art can offer. The tours inevitably require visits to competing galleries, but Noro is not concerned about the possibility of losing customers because his ultimate goal is to "revitalize the art industry in Japan. He believes that diversity is the key to inheriting the rich artistic culture of Ginza, and he welcomes the presence of other galleries to share that diversity with art collectors. In Japan, it is not very common for individuals to collect art. It is said that only about 30% of all households have art in their homes. I would like to instill in the minds of Japanese people the idea of personal collection. In Europe and the United States, it is the opposite; it is rare to find a home without art. That is why I try to collect high quality works in my gallery. I once heard a customer say, "Thanks to art, I no longer have suicidal thoughts. True art has the power to speak directly to the viewer's heart. I would like more people to experience art, so my gallery focuses on introducing artists with excellent skills and boosting the art world in Japan. Behind Mr. Noro's desire to boost Japanese art and culture is his upbringing. Born into a family of art dealers and raised surrounded by the beauty of art, Noro wants to share his life experiences with others. When I was three years old, my parents took me to Ryohei Koiso's studio and to Karuizawa, where I was blessed to spend a lot of time with many of the greatest Western-style painters and artists of the era, such as Wa Wakita and Kiyonaga Ito. In my family tradition, each member of the family had established a strong connection with the artists, and I was very fortunate to be able to befriend them. Mr. Noro was born with an appreciation for the arts in many ways, but his parents never asked him to take over the family business as is often the case in Japanese culture. After graduating from college with a degree in commerce, Mr. Noro initially thought about working for a major trading company. While looking for a job, he realized that the art industry was calling him and started working as a dealer for an international gallery with activities in Japan and France. He then took over the family business and a few years later became the manager of Gallery Umeda Tokyo in Ginza, Tokyo. after three years of running the gallery, he decided to start his own business in the heart of Tokyo's art scene. Armed with his knowledge of art cultivated by living surrounded by excellent works of art, he attracted talented painters and created a new base for artists in Japan. Enhancing Japan's artistic reputation Mr. Noro strongly believes that there are many talented artists in Japan who deserve international attention. He believes that one of the biggest obstacles to this is the lack of support for artists by the Japanese government and the lack of tax incentives for purchasing works of art. For this reason, Mr. Noro is actively lobbying politicians on behalf of Japanese artists. But Noro believes in hope, and with the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 and the Osaka Expo in 2025, there is a growing movement to support artists and their output. These two international events could be a turning point for art in Japan. Already in Hong Kong, more and more contemporary artworks by Japanese artists are being auctioned. From an international perspective, the Japanese art market has untapped potential. As Japan has the longest history of Western art in Asia, a wide variety of artists with different styles have yet to be discovered. The richness of Japan's traditional craft culture is another reason why the Japanese art scene is attracting international attention. To purchase art featured in the Ginza Yanagi Gallery In these exciting times, Mr. Noro and Ginza Yanagi Gallery are waiting for the opportunity of international success. We are proud of our partnership with Mr. Noro, whose mission is to promote Japanese contemporary art to the world. How to get to the Ginza Yanagi Gallery Opening Hours Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 19:00 Sat. 11:00 - 18:00 Sundays and holidays. Closed Address Sukiyabashi Bldg. 3F, 5-1-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan TEL: 03-3573-7075 FAX: 03-3573-7076

Scrittore

Shinzo Okuoka