Photo/Illutration “Tabi no Onna” (1915), right, and “Soshun Dai-isshi” (1928) are classic examples of “Yumeji-style beauties.” The original paintings by Yumeji Takehisa are on display at the Hibiya Library and Museum in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward. (Michinori Ishidaira)

A special exhibition introducing paintings that helped artist Yumeji Takehisa (1884-1934) regain prominence posthumously is running at the Hibiya Library and Museum in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward.

Takehisa, a leading painter in the Taisho Romanticism movement, once took Japan by storm with his drawings of beautiful women with gloomy faces.

“He fell into oblivion as Japan entered into war,” said Masayuki Yamada, a curator at the ward government, which operates the museum.

But Ishiro Sawata, founder of small publisher Ryuseikaku in Chiyoda Ward, collected Takehisa’s works between 1965 and 1984 to release art books featuring his paintings.

Thanks to his efforts, the Taisho Era (1912-1926) artist remains popular today.

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An original illustration (1927) drawn by Yumeji Takehisa, which was used for the painter’s autobiographical novel “Shuppan” (Provided by the Chiyoda ward government)

The art event brings together about 190 pieces selected from a collection donated to the ward government by Ryuseikaku in 2015.

They include rare works available for viewing only in Chiyoda Ward, such as 12 original drawings that show the characteristics of “Yumeji-style beauties,” which are synonymous with the artist’s mode of expression; “Yoran” (Cradle), which is believed to be one of his earliest works; and an original illustration used for the painter’s autobiographical novel “Shuppan” (Setting sail).

The collection comprises about 1,200 pieces, 616 of which were designated as cultural properties by the ward government in April.

The exhibition runs until Feb. 28. Admission is free.

Some exhibits are subject to replacement.

For more information, visit the official website at (https://www.edo-chiyoda.jp/tenji_koza_kodomotaikenkyoshitsu/tenji/1/511.html).

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“Yoran”(1903), one of the earliest works by Yumeji Takehisa, was created when he was a student at Waseda Jitsugyo Senior High School. (Michinori Ishidaira)

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