"Elaborately Painted Clamshells by Yoshitada Tanaka: The Tale of Genji & Geauties of Nature" Exhibition
The Nippon Gallery
This event has ended.
Yoshitada Tanaka, a rare handicraft artist of shell painting, will present an exhibition of beautifully painted shells. Mr. Tanaka’s shell painting is closely related to the “shell matching” game played during the Heian period (794-1185) and also in later periods as part of the tea ceremony. Mr. Tanaka’s work combines styles of both old and modern Japan. Unlike traditional shell paintings, Mr. Tanaka’s half shells do not mirror each other with the same scene. Instead, each half shell has a different scene and when complete, the two scenes tell a story. Pictures are usually drawn inside the shell with lacquer paint and the outsides are plated with gold. The elaborately painted shells are items of treasure and highly valued.
Media
Schedule
from April 11, 2012 to April 17, 2012