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[Ichiriki, Gion, 1955-1965 Photograph by Takeji Iwamiya ©IWAMIYA Aya]

The Colors and Shapes of Kyoto: Takeji Iwamiya—In Pursuit of the Beauty of Japan

Fujifilm Square

Finished

Artists

Takeji Iwamiya

For this exhibition, which commemorates the centenary of Iwamiya’s birth, Fujifilm Square has handpicked twenty-eight photographs on the theme of the colors and shapes of Kyoto from the Kyoto series, Iwamiya’s masterpiece. After his first vivid encounter with Kyoto on a visit shortly after the war, Iwamiya made frequent visits to the city over a period of more than thirty years, quickly discovering the distinctive beauty of Kyoto in its scenery, the old shrines and temples, and the streets. As if exploring the essence of beauty in Japanese culture, Iwamiya methodically shot photographs of its colors and shapes—seasonal colors, colors to celebrate the arrival of each season, shapes mastered by design, shapes formed by prayer. In Iwamiya’s view, the colors and shapes that reflected the culture and wisdom cultivated in Kyoto were, pure and simple, the beauty of Japan. His visual expression represents the beauty and tradition of Japan and shows us, once again, both the unchanging beauty and the beauty that has now been lost to us.

Schedule

Jun 9 (Tue) 2020-Jun 30 (Tue) 2020