The World of Koichi Nabatame:
- A Gaze at Flowers and Life
On View: Dec. 7, 2024 ― Feb. 24, 2025
Closed: Monday (Open on January 13, and February 24, Closed on January 14)
Hours: 10am － 5pm (Last Entry is at 4:30pm)
Closed: Monday (Open on January 13, and February 24, Closed on January 14)
Hours: 10am － 5pm (Last Entry is at 4:30pm)
Organized by Sato Sakura Museum
Supported by Meguro Tourism Association,
Location: 1-7-13 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Supported by Meguro Tourism Association,
Location: 1-7-13 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Artworks
Exhibition Room 1F-A
Exhibition Room 1F-B
Exhibition Room 3F
Foreword
Sato Sakura Museum is pleased to announce a special exhibition, “The World of Koichi Nabatame: A Gaze at Flowers and Life.” Born in Ibaraki Prefecture in 1933, Koichi Nabatame is the eldest son of Nihonga painter Kosei Nabatame. His artistic talent was recognized early on; he was first accepted into the Revived Inten Exhibition at the age of 17 in 1950, and the following year, his work was also accepted into the Nitten Exhibition. Nabatame participated in the “Sui Fu Kai” organized by Nanpu Katayama, and he further honed his skills while studying under Toshio Matsuo. He gained acclaim for his depictions of natural landscapes and flowers, all based on meticulous sketching. In 1990, Nabatame was nominated for the rank of Donin at the Japan Art Institute (Nihon Bijutsuin). In 2000, he received the Japan Art Academy Award, and in 2002, he became a member of the Japan Art Academy. Nabatame remains a leading figure in the contemporary Nihonga art world and continues to actively produce new works.
This exhibition is a retrospective that looks back on Koichi Nabatame’s 75-year artistic career. We will present a diverse range of works, from early pieces created during his student years and those influenced by Western painting, to his ongoing series depicting landscapes from both Japan and abroad, and flowers of the four seasons, all based on his meticulous sketches. We invite you to experience the elegance of these works, in which even the passage of time and the very air seem to be delicately portrayed.
This exhibition is a retrospective that looks back on Koichi Nabatame’s 75-year artistic career. We will present a diverse range of works, from early pieces created during his student years and those influenced by Western painting, to his ongoing series depicting landscapes from both Japan and abroad, and flowers of the four seasons, all based on his meticulous sketches. We invite you to experience the elegance of these works, in which even the passage of time and the very air seem to be delicately portrayed.
Artist's Message
This exhibition features many works from my younger days. In them, I rediscover myself—the version of me who would charge forward with reckless abandon, even when I knew I might fail. These works bring back fond memories. I have made many mistakes throughout my life. But thanks to those numerous missteps, I believe I’ve learned how to make the most of them, rather than letting them simply end in failure. I think you will be able to see that evolution reflected in my work.
There is a line in Miyuki Nakajima’s song “Headlight Taillight” that says, “The journey is not yet over.” I celebrated my 90th birthday last year. My own journey will continue for a little while longer.
Your presence here means a great deal to me, and I hope you enjoy the exhibition.
There is a line in Miyuki Nakajima’s song “Headlight Taillight” that says, “The journey is not yet over.” I celebrated my 90th birthday last year. My own journey will continue for a little while longer.
Your presence here means a great deal to me, and I hope you enjoy the exhibition.
Koichi Nabatame
Koichi Nabatame C.V.
1933 Born in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
1950 First acceptance into the 35th Saiko Inten Exhibition (Restored Japan Art Institute Exhibition)
1951 First acceptance into the 7th Nitten Exhibition
1967 Received Nomination to become Inyu Ranking Member of the Japan Art Institute
1972 Met his mentor, Toshio Matsuo, and on his recommendation, entered the tutelage of Nanpu Katayama
1977 Participated in the creation of a mural at the Kodosan Hon-butsuden Temple in Kanagawa Prefecture, under the commission of Nanpu Katayama, alongside Toshio Matsuo and Mitsuei Saito.
1979 Painted a “Cloud Dragon” (Unryu-zu) on the Romon gate of Nasu Shrine in Tochigi Prefecture, under the supervision of Nanpu Katayama, together with his father, Kosei Nabatame.
1981 Advised by his mentor, Toshio Matsuo, to “paint pictures that are truly yours,” he returned to creating works of familiar flowers and landscapes based on thorough sketching.
1983 Received the Honourable Mention Award at the 38th Spring Inten Exhibition (’84, ’85 Minister for Foreign Affairs Award, ’86, ’89, ’90)
Received the Honourable Mention Award at the 68th Saiko Inten Exhibition (’85, ’87-’89)
1984 Received Nomination to become Tokutai Ranking Member of the Japan Art Institute
Received the Japan Art Institute Award (Taikan Award) at the 69th Saiko Inten Exhibition (’86, ’90)
1986 Received the 5th Japan Art Institute Scholarship Foundation Awards (Seison Maeda Award)
1990 Received Nomination to become Donin Ranking Member of the Japan Art Institute
1992 Created the cover for “NHK Hobby Encyclopedia: Tanka” (-’94)
1995 Received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award at the 80th Saiko Inten Exhibition
1999 Received the Prime Minister’s Award at the 84th Saiko Inten Exhibition
2000 Received the Japan Art Academy Award at the Japan Art Academy
2002 Appointed as a member of the Japan Art Academy
2005 ”Through the Four Seasons – Koichi Nabatame Nihonga Exhibition” (Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, then toured nationwide) 2006 Assumed the position of Director of the Japan Art Institute
2008 Received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon
2015 ”Koichi Nabatame Exhibition: A Pure and Elegant Artistic Realm” (Sogo Museum of Art / Kanagawa Prefecture)
2017 ”Koichi Nabatame Nihonga Exhibition” (Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Nagoya Sakae Mitsukoshi)
2022 ”Koichi Nabatame Exhibition: Celebrating His 88th Birthday” (Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store)
2024 Received the 2024 Person of Cultural Merit commendation from the Government of Japan
Present Member of the Japan Art Academy (Nihon Geijutsuin), Donin Ranked Member and Representative Director of the Japan Arts Institute (Nihon Bijutsuin)
1950 First acceptance into the 35th Saiko Inten Exhibition (Restored Japan Art Institute Exhibition)
1951 First acceptance into the 7th Nitten Exhibition
1967 Received Nomination to become Inyu Ranking Member of the Japan Art Institute
1972 Met his mentor, Toshio Matsuo, and on his recommendation, entered the tutelage of Nanpu Katayama
1977 Participated in the creation of a mural at the Kodosan Hon-butsuden Temple in Kanagawa Prefecture, under the commission of Nanpu Katayama, alongside Toshio Matsuo and Mitsuei Saito.
1979 Painted a “Cloud Dragon” (Unryu-zu) on the Romon gate of Nasu Shrine in Tochigi Prefecture, under the supervision of Nanpu Katayama, together with his father, Kosei Nabatame.
1981 Advised by his mentor, Toshio Matsuo, to “paint pictures that are truly yours,” he returned to creating works of familiar flowers and landscapes based on thorough sketching.
1983 Received the Honourable Mention Award at the 38th Spring Inten Exhibition (’84, ’85 Minister for Foreign Affairs Award, ’86, ’89, ’90)
Received the Honourable Mention Award at the 68th Saiko Inten Exhibition (’85, ’87-’89)
1984 Received Nomination to become Tokutai Ranking Member of the Japan Art Institute
Received the Japan Art Institute Award (Taikan Award) at the 69th Saiko Inten Exhibition (’86, ’90)
1986 Received the 5th Japan Art Institute Scholarship Foundation Awards (Seison Maeda Award)
1990 Received Nomination to become Donin Ranking Member of the Japan Art Institute
1992 Created the cover for “NHK Hobby Encyclopedia: Tanka” (-’94)
1995 Received the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award at the 80th Saiko Inten Exhibition
1999 Received the Prime Minister’s Award at the 84th Saiko Inten Exhibition
2000 Received the Japan Art Academy Award at the Japan Art Academy
2002 Appointed as a member of the Japan Art Academy
2005 ”Through the Four Seasons – Koichi Nabatame Nihonga Exhibition” (Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, then toured nationwide) 2006 Assumed the position of Director of the Japan Art Institute
2008 Received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon
2015 ”Koichi Nabatame Exhibition: A Pure and Elegant Artistic Realm” (Sogo Museum of Art / Kanagawa Prefecture)
2017 ”Koichi Nabatame Nihonga Exhibition” (Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Nagoya Sakae Mitsukoshi)
2022 ”Koichi Nabatame Exhibition: Celebrating His 88th Birthday” (Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store)
2024 Received the 2024 Person of Cultural Merit commendation from the Government of Japan
Present Member of the Japan Art Academy (Nihon Geijutsuin), Donin Ranked Member and Representative Director of the Japan Arts Institute (Nihon Bijutsuin)
Concurrent Exhibition '100 Views of Sakura vol.38
Artworks
Exhibition Room 2F
Artists:
Madoka Goto, Mitsuei Saito, Yukiko Chikamoto, Hiroyuki Naka, Hidetoshi Namiki, Koji Mizutani, and Yuki Yamada
Madoka Goto, Mitsuei Saito, Yukiko Chikamoto, Hiroyuki Naka, Hidetoshi Namiki, Koji Mizutani, and Yuki Yamada
List of Artworks
Coming Soon!
■What is Nihonga: Click here
■Sato Sakura Museum Collection: Click here
■Online Viewing Room: Click here
■Sato Sakura Museum Collection: Click here
■Online Viewing Room: Click here
■Admission (tax included)
・General: 800 Yen
・Students (University | High school): 300 Yen
・Students (Junior High School | Elementary School) : Free
※Tax included
※Elementary school student must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
※Admission is half-price for visitors with a disability certificate
■Location
Sato Sakura Museum
1-7-13 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
・General: 800 Yen
・Students (University | High school): 300 Yen
・Students (Junior High School | Elementary School) : Free
※Tax included
※Elementary school student must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
※Admission is half-price for visitors with a disability certificate
■Location
Sato Sakura Museum
1-7-13 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
