Banka Nonagase (1889-1964) was born in Chikatsuyu, Nakahechi-cho (today's Tanabe City) in Wakayama Prefecture. He moved to Osaka while still in his teens, and studied there under Rogetsu Nakagawa. Even at that young age, Nonagase's personal sophisticated style and attitude got him noticed, and it is said that he was often referred to as a fūgawari na otoko (eccentric man).
Nonagase is believed to have been influenced by many artists who he knew personally. "These include nihonga (Japanese-style painting) artists Teruwo Hada, Bakusen Tsuchida, Chikkyo Ono and painter/poet Yumeji Takehisa.
This show presents around 40 Nonagase paintings; till Jan. 22.
Kumanokodo Nakahechi Museum; (0739) 65-0390; 891 Chikatsuyu, Nakahechi-cho, Tanabe, Wakayama; 1-hour bus ride from Kii Tanabe Station or Shingu Station, JR Kisei Honsen Line. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. ¥250. Closed Mon., Dec. 28-Jan. 4, 10; open Jan. 9. www.city.tanabe.lg.jp/nakahechibijutsukan.
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