Tsuji Nobuo X Takashi Murakami Interview Published In A Book Titled Gyotto Suru Edo No Kaiga (Frightening Paintings Of Edo Period)

Following the publication of Kiso no Keifu (The Lineage of Eccentricity), a book written by Nobuo Tsuji which had been one of the greatest inspirations for Takashi Murakami, a book which could be called Kiso no Keifu –part 2- is now in stores.

The book is titled Gyotto Suru Edo No Kaiga(Frightening Paintings Of Edo Peiod), a recompiled version of the booklet articles with the same title which had been released as the viewer textbooks for the NHK TV program Shiru wo Tanoshimu Kono Hito Kono Sekai (2006) in which they featured several experts from different fields who shared their curious insider stories.



The book contains a 30-page article covering the author Prof. Nobuo Tsuji’s interview with Takashi Murakami where they talked about how the artist wound up with the concept of Superflat after his encounter with Kiso no Keifu.　The story covers everything from their first encounter at SCAI THE BATHHOUSE to those Japanese art masters as Shohaku or Hakuin whom Mr. Tsuji referred to in Kiso no Keifu, and what influence they have in reference to Murakami’s unique concept.



The interview took place at MIHO MUSEUM in Kyoto for which Mr. Tsuji is a director.
Coincidentally enough, they were showing works by Jakuchu, one of the eccentric old masters in Japanese art history in Jakuchu Wonderland exhibition (September 1, 2009– December 13, 2009).

On the same day as the interview was conducted, Murakami, as well as Joe Price, the world’s biggest collector of Jakuchu joined with Mr. Tsuji and Hiroyuki Kano (professor – Faculty of Culture and Information Science, Doshisha University) as they gave a public lecture titled The World of Jakuchu, and it turned out to be a fabulous talk session attended by some of the most celebrated figures in modern art world.



The conversation heated up as the four participants vigorously exchanged their opinions about the legendary art master in Edo period.

Please check out the latest issue of Geijutsu Shincho magazine for details about the talk session, and a serial story which started in September issue titled Nobuo Tsuji X Takashi Murakami Nippon E-awase (E-awase is Japanese traditional picture competition which dates back to Heian-era; 794-1192) where Murakami’s latest “frightening” work is introduced!