The upcoming Special Exhibition "Ogawa Seiyo and Askaen, a Centennial Journey"

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The upcoming Special Exhibition "Ogawa Seiyo and Askaen, a Centennial Journey" will be on view from September 11 to November 24.

Ogawa Seiyo (1894-1960) is a groundbreaking photographer who successfully elevated buddha statue photography from mere documentation to the realm of art. He founded Askaen, a photo studio specializing in buddha statue photography that celebrated its centennial in 2022.

Born in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan, Seiyo established Askaen in Nara in 1922 based on strong suggestions by Aizu Yaichi, a poet, calligrapher and historian. One of Seiyo's passions was the study of Asian art and he travelled to the Yungang Grottoes in China, Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple in South Korea, Angkor Wat in Cambodia and many other Asian sites of cultural heritage for survey and photography.

This exhibition features the photographs of Ogawa Seiyo and his son Kozo and showcases the remarkable contribution of Askaen to cultural heritage conservation and enhancement of buddha photography to fine art, including some of the recent works. We invite you to experience what the "eye" of Askaen has been looking through the lenses of the dedicated photographers.

Sponsors: Hanzomon Museum, the Mainichi Shimbun

Special cooperation: Askaen

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Ogawa Seiyo

Traditionally identified as Gakko Bosatsu, Todaiji Temple (Hokke-do)

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