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In the Cabinet Room, mounted on a folding screen,
were four woodblock prints depicting the four seasons of Japan by the internationally
acclaimed woodblock print artist Shiko Munakata (1903-1975). In his younger days,
Munakata aspired to the work of Van Gogh. Later, he discovered the art of woodblock
printing, and developed his own unique style.
In the Chief Cabinet Secretary's Office there was a landscape by Tsuguharu Fujita
(1886-1968), a Western style artist. In his early years, Fujita moved to Paris
and with his new and novel techniques he quickly gained a glowing reputation in
Parisian society during the 1920s. In later years, this internationally acclaimed
artist was honored with the Legion D'Honneur by the French Government.
In addition, the Grand Drawing Room boasted a monumental piece depicting Mt. Fuji
being hit by the first rays of morning sunlight. This work by Horin Fukuoji (1918-present),
who is known for his series of works on the Himalayas, was one that thrilled all
visitors to the Kantei with its detailed and awe-inspiring depiction of
the spiritual Mt. Fuji. |
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