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[Akita Prefecture] What is Hirafuku Hyakuho? A detailed introduction to his works and where you can see them

Many people know that Hirafuku Hyakusui is a famous painter born in Akita Prefecture, but are unfamiliar with the specific works he left behind

In this article, we will introduce in detail the content of Hirafuku Momoho's works and where you can view them

Who is Hirafuku Momoho?

Hirafuku Hyakusui was born in Kakunodate, Akita Prefecture in 1877 as the fourth son of Japanese painter Hirafuku Honan

In 1890, he began learning painting from his father, but unfortunately, Hirafuku Honan passed away in December of the same year

However, with the support of a patron of Hirafuku Suian, Hyakusui Hirafuku moved to Tokyo and in 1894 became a pupil of Kawabata Gyokusho, a Japanese painter and professor at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts

Later, while he produced works that combined naturalism and classical elements, he also became close with Ito Sachio, who was a central figure in the tanka magazine "Araragi," and began to work as a poet

Hirafuku Hyakusui was a Japanese painter and poet who left behind a large number of works before passing away in 1933

About Hirafuku Hyakusui's Works

Hirafuku Hyakusui achieved success in two fields: as a Japanese painter and a poet. What kind of works did he leave behind in each field?

We will introduce them divided into paintings and tanka poems

painting

Hirafuku Hyakuho's works have won numerous awards at government-sponsored art exhibitions such as the Bunten and Teiten exhibitions, as well as group exhibitions such as the Shichigenkai exhibition. His "Mount Fuji," currently housed at the National Museum of Modern Art, is famous as one of the few paintings by Hirafuku Hyakuho to feature Mount Fuji as its subject

There are two "Pictures of Mount Fuji" in the collection: one that depicts the mountain rising white against a gray sky, and one that depicts the mountain's blue surface enveloped in a sea of ​​white clouds, with its snow-capped peak visible

Although the subject matter is the same, the former, with its depiction of Mount Fuji's gently sloping mountainside and hazy clouds, evokes a hint of anxiety, while the latter, with its view of Mount Fuji's peak visible even amidst a sea of ​​white clouds, evokes a sense of hope

There are many other paintings remaining, including "Yujo," which was selected as a special prize winner at the Bunten exhibition, and "Fukui Kazu," which depicts two elegant red and white peonies, so if you're interested, be sure to check them out

tanka

Hirafuku Hyakusui was active as a poet of the Araragi school and left behind a collection of poems called "Sanchiku."

Furthermore, the following two poems are inscribed side by side on the "Hyakuho Sensei Monument," which was erected in 1939 to commemorate the seventh anniversary of Hirafuku Hyakuho's death

Even watching the flow of the river makes me feel old

In an instant, the buds sprouted and the fragrance spread, perhaps experiencing the bright spring of Michinoku

The first song expresses the deep emotion of someone who moved to Tokyo at a young age, but now feels that just seeing a river flowing makes him feel old

The second song vividly expresses the bright hope felt in spring in Michinoku, where plants sprout in an instant

This is a wonderful tanka poem that is typical of Hirafuku Momoho, who loved nature

How can I appreciate Hirafuku Momoho's works?

Where can we see the many paintings left behind by Hirafuku Hyakusui?

The following art museums have paintings by Hirafuku Hyakusui in their collections

  • Kakunodate Town Hirafuku Memorial Museum of Art
  • Akita Museum of Modern Art
  • Akita City Senshu Art Museum
  • Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art
  • Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art
  • The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
  • Tokyo National Museum
  • Setagaya Art Museum
  • Ome City Museum of Art
  • Odakyu Museum of Art
  • The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
  • Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art

If you are interested, be sure to visit art museums around the country

summary

Hirafuku Hyakusui was born in Kakunodate, Akita Prefecture, and achieved success in two fields: as a Japanese painter and a poet.We learned that many of his works are still housed in art museums across Japan, delighting people's hearts

If you are interested in Hirafuku Momoho, please refer to this article and check out her many works

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