When Junkichi Mukai (1901-1995) was young, he visited France and saw classic masterpieces at the Louvre Museum in Paris. That Western inspiration greatly contributed to the development of his realistic painting style, which he used to depict traditional Japanese houses.
Rather than focus on the buildings, which he thought would render his work as architectural drawings, Mukai chose to depict houses within their surrounding environments. He also preferred not to include people in his paintings, and this somehow made them appear even more true to life; till Dec. 2.
Setagaya Art Museum, Mukai Junkichi Annex; (03) 5450-9581; 2-5-1, Tsurumaki, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Komazawa Daigaku Station, Tokyu Denentoshi Line. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ¥200. Closed Mon., Oct. 8. www.mukaijunkichi-annex.jp.
