Matazo Kayama: Sparkle of Life

One of the giants of Nihonga (traditional Japanese-style painting) in the postwar era, Kyoto-born Matazo Kayama (1927-2004) eagerly incorporated Western influences, helping revive his genre and lend it new relevance while staying true to centuries of artistic heritage. Having drawn on the Lascaux cave paintings and the work of masters as various as Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Henri Rousseau and Picasso, Kayama was also appreciated for his quirky depictions of cats – a specialisation that's led to a recent revival in interest for his art. This travelling retrospective starts out at Nihonbashi Takashimaya and displays a total of around 70 pieces, covering Kayama's entire career.