National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Japan. Under the accession number J00002.
Location History:
National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Japan. Under the accession number J00002. The museum's collection record identifies the work as having been purchased in the 1952 fiscal year.
Tsuchida Bakusen's Maiko in s Garden is one of the significant works of modern Japanese painting produced in Kyoto during the Taisho period. Painted in 1924, the work brings together two subjects closely associated with the cultural identity of Kyoto: the maiko or apprentice geisha and the Japanese garden. At first glance, it may appear to be a carefully observed image of a young entertainer seated in a garden. Yet the painting is far more deliberate than a straightforward representation of woman in a landscape. Bakusen transforms both the figure and the natural setting into carefully arranged visual forms. exploring the relationship between Japanese pictorial traditions and the formal possibilities he had encountered in European art. Its unusually tall, vertical format gives the seated figure a prominent position within the composition. The composition is organised around a striking contrast between the maiko in the foreground and the garden behind her. The figure sits on a garden stone occupying the lower and central portions of the vertical canvas. Behind her, the landscape unfolds through carefully arranged trees, foliage, water and stones. The garden is highly stylised. Its trees and other elements have been simplified and arranged according to a controlled visual order. The relationship between the figure and the landscape is not entirely consistent with naturalistic perspective. Bakusen treats the garden as a patterned surface, almost like a decorative screen or textile. The figure appears to occupy a physical space, yet the background does not fully behave as a space into which she could naturally move.
To me, Tsuchida Bakusen has created a piece that reflects on the relationship between culture, people and change. The use of 'maiko’ and a traditional Japanese garden are clear references to Kyoto’s culture but the artist has created a connection between the two. This suggests that culture is influenced by not only people but also their surrounding environment and traditions.
I find the act of the real-life maiko and the elaborate garden extremely interesting. The figure seems very grounded within the painting however the natural landscape is very ‘decorative’. This suggests that the image is not focused on creating a realistic image but instead is focused on showing the artist's vision of beauty. Nature and people have become part of the artist’s creation.
The maiko can also be seen to represent the importance of maintaining traditions. As an apprentice Geisha the figure is in a transition phase. The figure represents the traditions that are being passed down through generations. By placing her in a garden there is an interesting connection between people and nature. Both involve growth, control and change. The garden can also be seen to represent the hard work that goes into maintaining beauty.
The painting contains elements of Japanese art and European influence which makes this piece really meaningful to me. The artist has shown that culture and innovation do not have to be conflicting. They can still experiment with new techniques and ideas but can still create pieces about topics that are very closely related to their culture.
Overall this piece represents the balance between tradition and change. It makes you think about how beauty can be found in nature and culture. The main message I take away from this piece is that just because you want to maintain a tradition does not mean that you have to keep it the same. Traditions can stay meaningful by adapting to new artistic views whilst keeping their cultural meaning.
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By: Manek Vinodan
The artwork is a beautiful composition of shapes, and colours that harmoniously work together to emphasise the main figure. Bakusen's apprentice geisha looks timid, there is a level of nervousness around her, yet Bakusen bring attention to her, making her the centre of the piece, as she stands out from the background, a characteristic that could be attributed to the European influences in his art. Bakusen's apprentice geisha shows nervousness yet dignity.
