Meiji Bijyutsu Kai (明治美術会) 1890 Address Change Notice

This postal card, addressed to Maeda Yoshihiko, is from the office of the Meiji Art Association (明治美術会事務所) and postmarked January 27, 1890, in Tokyo. It appears to notify members of the Association's change of address to: 2-1 Sanjikkenbori, Kyobashi-ku, Tokyo (東京市京橋区三十間堀二丁目一番地). From an older card in our possession, also sent by the Meiji Bijyutsu Kai (refer to the post dated September 26, 2024), we know the previous address was: 22 Kitaoka-cho, Hongo-ku, Tokyo (東京市本郷区北岡町二十二番地).

Meiji Bijyutsu Kai (明治美術会)

The Meiji Art Society, founded in 1889 in Tokyo, was a key institution in the development of modern Japanese art. Its primary goal was to promote Western-style painting (yōga) and integrate it with traditional Japanese artistic traditions. This came at a time when Japan was rapidly modernizing, and there was a strong desire to incorporate Western influences into many aspects of Japanese life, including art. The society provided a platform for artists to experiment with Western techniques and subjects, which had a profound impact on Japan’s artistic landscape.

However, over time, differences in artistic philosophy began to emerge within the society. Many members felt that the Meiji Art Society was becoming too focused on fully embracing Western styles, leaving behind Japan's traditional artistic heritage. This led to a divide among the members, and in 1896, a group of artists, dissatisfied with the direction the society was taking, formed a new organization called the Hakuba-kai, or White Horse Society.

The Hakuba-kai was founded by artists who believed in blending Western techniques with traditional Japanese methods, rather than adopting Western styles wholesale. They were committed to creating a distinctly Japanese art form that could modernize without completely abandoning the country’s artistic roots. This split marked a significant moment in the evolution of modern Japanese art, with Hakuba-kai members striving to find a balance between the new and the traditional.

Although the Meiji Art Society continued to influence the development of Western-style painting in Japan, the formation of the Hakuba-kai led to the rise of a new artistic movement known as Nihonga. Nihonga combined Western techniques with Japanese materials and aesthetics, becoming an important force in Japanese art during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Hakuba-kai, though short-lived, played a pivotal role in the creation of a new, uniquely Japanese art form that could be appreciated both within Japan and abroad.

The legacy of the Meiji Art Society and the subsequent formation of the Hakuba-kai helped shape the future of Japanese painting. The society’s efforts to promote Western influences laid the foundation for the development of modern Japanese art, while the Hakuba-kai’s insistence on preserving Japanese traditions ensured that the country’s artistic identity remained intact as it adapted to the changing times.