Shoko Uemura (1902-2001) was the eldest son of renowned nihonga (Japanese-style) painter Shoen Uemura (1875-1949). Like his mother, Shoko trained in nihonga, and he became widely acclaimed for his kachō -ga (paintings of flowers and birds). Known to challenge the refined compositions of traditional painting, he made innovative changes to nihonga style. For example, in his depiction of a peacock — a favorite subject of the master Okyo Maruyama (1733-1795) — Uemura trimmed part of one of the bird's wing, making it more dynamic, appearing as it if it had just moved out of the frame; May 27-July 6.
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto; Okazaki Enshoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto. Higashiyama Stn. 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. (Fri. till 8 p.m.). ¥1,300. Closed Mon. 075-761-4111; www.momak.go.jp/English
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