Hisashi Tenmyouya

Place: Tokyo

Born: 1966

Biography:

Hisashi Tenmyouya, born in 1966 in Tokyo, Japan, is a renowned contemporary artist known for his unique style, which he calls Neo-Nihonga. This art movement revives traditional Japanese painting as a contemporary art form. In 2000, he created the new-style Butouha, which resists the authoritative art system through his painting. In 2010, he proposed a new Japanese art scheme named Basara, which is extravagant and extraordinary, embodying a Samurai aesthetic.

Early Life and Career

Hisashi Tenmyouya's artistic journey began with the study of traditional Japanese painting techniques. However, he soon became interested in modernizing these techniques to create a new style that would appeal to contemporary audiences. He is represented by the Mizuma Art Gallery in Tokyo and has exhibited his work at various galleries and museums, including the Harajuku Gallery and Nadiff.

Neo-Nihonga and Basara

Tenmyouya's Neo-Nihonga style is characterized by its use of modern media, such as acrylic paint, while retaining traditional Japanese art features. This style is a suggestion, inspecting the concept of "modern Japanese-style painting" which was made and twisted artificially in the Meiji era. Basara, on the other hand, is an art concept that includes the basara of the Nanbokucho Period, the kabukimono of the end of the Warring States Period, and contemporary Japanese youth culture with bad and decorative (kitsch) tastes.

• Basara covers a wide range, referencing ancient culture, samurai culture, and contemporary Japanese youth culture.
• It focuses on today's street culture as well as samurai culture at the end of the Warring States Period or the end of the Edo period, which has been considered low culture for a long time.
• Tenmyouya's art criticizes a conservative attitude that just receives an established value blindly and avoids taking a risk for new, unique things.

Selected Works and Exhibitions

Some of Tenmyouya's notable works include 36 Selections of Contemporary Suits of Armour Leopard with Suit of Armor with Citron Green on Blown Gold Lacing, which is a thought-provoking piece that showcases his unique style. He has also exhibited his work at the Meiji Jingu Forest Festival of Art in Tokyo, Japan. Important to note is that Tenmyouya's art is not only a reflection of Japanese culture but also an attempt to connect Japanese culture and history more directly. He has published an art book, BASARA Japanese art theory crossing borders: from Jomon pottery to decorated trucks, which provides more details on his art concept.

Conclusion

Hisashi Tenmyouya is a pioneer of Neo-Nihonga and Basara, and his work continues to inspire and influence the contemporary art world. His unique style, which blends traditional Japanese elements with modern themes, has made him a renowned artist in Japan and abroad. For more information on Tenmyouya's work, visit https://Wikioo.org/@/Hisashi-Tenmyouya or check out his profile on Wikipedia.