The talents that sparked the Japanese art world in the Meiji period have come together in Matsumoto, transcending time.

Saigo Kogetsu, Yokoyama Taikan, Shimomura Kanzan, Hishida Shunso...

In 22, the Tokyo School of Fine Arts opened, attracting young people from all over the country who wanted to become painters.

Hashimoto Gaho put Okakura Tenshin's reform of Japanese painting into practice both as a teacher and as an individual painter. The four of them learned from him and helped each other improve. They distinguished themselves while still students, and after graduating they became active as instructors at the school. However, in 31 (Meiji 1898), when Okakura Tenshin resigned as principal of the art school due to a turmoil, Hashimoto joined him. Together with Tenshin and Gaho, they founded the Japan Art Institute in Yanaka, Tokyo, and began to walk a new path. They played a central role at the Japan Art Institute and continued to lead its activities, and eventually came to be known as the "Four Heavenly Kings of Gaho's Disciples."

They shared the same aspirations, competed as worthy rivals, and likely shared drinks every night while discussing art.
The Four Heavenly Kings of Yaho's school. However, that time did not last long.

In the same year that the Japan Art Institute was founded, Kogetsu married his teacher Gaho's daughter, with Tenshin as the matchmaker. Although he was expected to have a bright future, he was soon divorced. He gradually began to distance himself from the Japan Art Institute.

In 36, Taikan and Shunsō traveled to India, and Kanzan traveled to England. What thoughts did Kogetsu have as he saw his friends off to pursue even greater heights? In 1903, the Japan Art Institute, which was struggling financially, moved its headquarters to Izura, Ibaraki Prefecture, but Kogetsu was nowhere to be found.

And with the untimely deaths of Shunsō and Kogetsu, the Meiji era in which the Four Heavenly Kings had ruled came to an end.

Hashimoto Gaho (1835-1908)

He was born in 6 as the eldest son of a court painter at the Kano family residence in Kobikicho, Edo. At a young age, he became head of the Kobikicho Kano family school, and later became independent. With the absolute trust of Okakura Tenshin, he taught as a professor at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. When Tenshin resigned as principal of the art school, he followed him and founded the Japan Art Institute with people who admired the two of them. He experimented with methods of expression that were not bound by the style of the Kano school, and educated the next generation of artists. He died in 41, at the age of 73.

Kogetsu Saigo (1873-1912)

Born in 6 as the eldest son of a samurai of the former Matsumoto domain. His real name was Meguru. He enrolled in the Tokyo School of Fine Arts as one of its first students, and later became an assistant professor there. He was one of the central figures in the establishment of the Japan Art Academy. He was expected to have a bright future, and married Yaho's daughter, but they were divorced. He gradually distanced himself from the Academy. He began working in Taiwan, but returned to Tokyo due to illness. He died in 38, aged XNUMX.

Yokoyama Taikan (1868-1958)

Born in 33 as the eldest son of a samurai of the Mito domain. His real name was Hidemaro. He enrolled in the Tokyo School of Fine Arts as a member of the first class. After the establishment of the Japan Art Academy, he worked with Shunso and held exhibitions in India, America and other countries. He played a central role in the relocation of the Academy to Izura, Ibaraki Prefecture, and in the revival of the Academy after the death of Okakura Tenshin. He died in 89 at the age of XNUMX.

Shimomura Kanzan (1873-1930)

Born in 6 as the third son of a Noh actor who served the Kishu Tokugawa family. His real name was Seizaburo. He enrolled in the Tokyo School of Fine Arts as one of its first students, and was promoted to assistant professor immediately after graduation. He was later sent by the Ministry of Education to study in England. After the death of Okakura Tenshin, he worked with Taikan to revive the Japan Art Academy. He died in 5, at the age of 57.

Shunso Hishida (1874-1911)

Born in 7 as the third son of a samurai of the former Iida domain. His real name was Mioji. He entered the Tokyo School of Fine Arts as a member of the third class. He was the youngest of the four great masters of Gaho's school. He traveled to India, America and other countries with Taikan, and continued to actively pursue new forms of expression. After returning to Japan, he worked at the Japan Art Academy in Izura, but suffered from eye disease and returned to Tokyo. He died in 44 at the age of 36.

List of works