Gyoshū Hayami: Dance of Flames (1925)

“Black Peonies”, 1934, Gyoshu Hayami.

新緑, 速水御舟.

New Leaves, Hayami Gyoshu. 1915, 125.0×81.0 cm.

Shrike's Nest, 1925

Hayami Gyoshu

Hayami Gyoshu - Dance of Flames (1925)

Village in Shugakuin: Hayami Gyoshu, 1918

Hayami Gyoshu

Hayami Gyoshu: Dance of Flames

1925

Hayami Gyoshu: Froita, 1923

TOKYO DANCER (c. 1920) by Hayami Gyoshū

Hayami Gyoshū, Dancing in the Flames, 1925.

Hayami Gyoshu: Spring Evening (1934)

Hayami Gyoshu's Fire Dance - Up and Down the Ladder (Essay)

The picture shown here is "Enbu" (Important Cultural Property), a representative work by Hayami Gyoshu（速水御舟）, a Japanese painter who ran through the Taisho and Showa periods. 1925 (Taisho 14). It is a seemingly figurative painting depicting moths attracted by a crimson flame and gathering together. But if you look closely, all the moths have their wings spread. This is because, due to aesthetic demands, the painting emphasizes symbolism rather than realism. The stylization is also highly advanced.

August 2, 1894 (Meiji 27) - March 20, 1935 (Showa 10)) is a Japanese painter from the Taisho period to the early Showa period. His real name is Eiichi Makita.

Born in Asakusa, Tokyo on August 2, 1894 (Meiji 27). From the thorough realism and detailed depiction not found in conventional Japanese paintings, he eventually progressed to symbolic and decorative expressions such as his representative work "Enbu". In his short life, he left behind many masterpieces, and "Meiju Chiritsubaki" was designated as an important cultural property for the first time as a work of art in the Showa period. On March 20, 1935, he died suddenly of typhoid fever. He passed away at the age of 40.

In the words of Gyoshu himself, ``The courage to climb to the top of the ladder is precious, and the one who has the courage to descend from it and climb back up again is even more precious.'' Above all, he is afraid and always aims for new paintings, which is similar to Picasso.

As a picture drawn at the same time as "Fire dance", I think the following is also good. "Kyoto House" (1927, 1927). The three houses are infinitely stylized and pleasant to look at. The feeling of wanting to reach out, "What is it?" This kind of texture is similar to that of Henri Matisse or Paul Klee in Europe.

Even if Gyoshu was paid by an art dealer, he did not paint unless he was motivated. The art dealer frantically begged Gyoshu, saying, "Even if it's just one ant, please paint it." Reluctantly, Gyoshu painted a picture of a small ant on a large canvas.

Gyoshū Hayami

Round Moon (Last Work). 1935 

Hayami Gyoshu (1894-1935)  

Hayami Gyoshu (1894-1935)

Village in Shugakuin, by Hayami Gyoshu, 1918, Japan