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Celebrating 100 Years of Jun Saku Koizumi

A retrospective exhibition honoring the celebrated Japanese artist Jun Saku Koizumi will be held at Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C. from July 30 to August 18, 2025. This exhibition celebrates the centenary of Koizumi's birth, featuring a collection of 47 artworks that span his entire career, from early pieces to his renowned later works.

Born in 1924 as the seventh son of politician and art collector Sakutaro Koizumi, Jun Saku dedicated his life to art and creativity until he passed away at the age of 87 in 2012. His journey as a Nihonga (traditional Japanese painting) artist began during World War II when he enrolled in the Japanese painting program at Tokyo Fine Arts School in 1943. Following the war, he trained under Yamamoto Kyūzō, exhibiting his works in various independent Japanese painting groups and gaining attention.

Koizumi's artistic style was marked by a strong influence from Western art, particularly the works of Rouault, showcasing a robust realism in his portraits and landscapes. As he delved deeper into the enchanting world of Tang Dynasty painting, he devoted himself to ink wash painting after the age of 50, producing numerous works that conveyed the essence of nature's energy.

From around 1977, after receiving the Excellence Award at the Yamamoto Art Museum Award Exhibition, Koizumi began focusing more on solo exhibitions, often regarded as an isolated yet significant figure in the art world. This upcoming exhibition aims to present a comprehensive overview of Koizumi's art journey, featuring major works, including the rare fusuma (sliding door panels) completed in 2010 for Todai-ji Temple's main hall.

Exhibition Highlights

The exhibition will be structured into four main sections:

1. Early Works

Following his wartime experiences, Koizumi returned to Tokyo Fine Arts School in 1948 and resumed his studies under Yamamoto Kyūzō. Post-graduation, he found recognition through his contributions to the indie Japanese art groups such as Shinseisaku-kyōkai, where he showcased works with intricate figures and compositions. These representations, reflecting the influences of modernist Western artists like Rouault and Buffet, demonstrate his resilience and innovative spirit.

• - Face (1958)
• - Kamakura Landscape (1975)

2. Ink Wash Landscapes

Starting in the 1980s, Koizumi challenged himself to depict natural landscapes purely in ink wash. In the 1990s, he boldly portrayed iconic mountains such as Bandai and Hakusan, capturing their spiritual essence through his repeated visits and studies on location.

• - Hakusan's Last Light (1997)

3. Floral Paintings

In his 50s, Koizumi encountered and extensively researched Chinese Yuan Dynasty-style paintings, translating these studies into his floral artworks that he produced until his later years. His deep engagement with classical Chinese painting allowed him to develop a unique style that reflected the beauty of nature and the mystery of existence, creating works that resonate with viewers profoundly.

• - Lotus (1986)
• - Turnip (2003)

4. Fusuma Paintings at Todai-ji Temple

As part of the 1250th anniversary commemoration of Emperor Shōmu at Todai-ji, Koizumi completed a series of 40 fusuma panels in 2010. This exhibition will feature 28 panels, including themes like lotus ponds and cherry blossoms, each presenting a unique beauty vividly captured through his brush.

• - Lotus Pond (Part) (2010)
• - Weeping Cherry Blossom (2010)

Event Details

• - Exhibition Name: Celebration of the 100th Birth Anniversary of Jun Saku Koizumi
• - Dates: July 30, 2025 - August 18, 2025, open every day
• - Opening Hours: 10:30 AM - 7:00 PM (closes at 6:00 PM on the last day)
• - Venue: Nihonbashi Takashimaya S.C., 8th Floor Hall
• - Admission Fee: General ¥1,200 (¥1,000 in advance), University/High School Students ¥1,000 (¥800), Free for Middle School Students and under
• - Organizer: The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Inc.
• - Special Cooperation: Todai-ji Temple
• - Planned Cooperation: Ichibanshi Gallery, Gallery Sora no Ma
• - Support: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
• - Special Website: Nihonbashi Takashimaya

For further inquiries, please contact Nihonbashi Takashimaya at 03-3211-4111.