The Scientific Eye and Visual Wonders in Edo (Suntory Museum of Art)

(Translated by Google Translate)

The latter half of the Edo era, and look back scientific knowledge from abroad, such as the Dutch studies, whether given what effect the painting that was drawn at the time, exhibition at the Suntory Museum of Art interesting.

At the entrance of the venue, by Odano Naotake of so-called Akita Ranga, Shinobazunoike diagram greet visitors.

In the foreground, red and white flowers planted in pots is drawn, in the background, Shinobazu is depicted. It is drawn using the perspective, but it has left somehow, a quality of Japanese painting.

This picture was drawn, in 1770. That in the medium term of the Edo era, not the Edo, these picture that had been drawn in the land of Akita in this era, I feel honest surprise.

Ukiyo-e, which is drawn with a perspective. From the expression of the two women, and I thought that was ukiyo-e Suzuki Harunobu no doubt, but say it's work of Shiba Kokan.

It has learned painting under Suzuki Harunobu, immediately after the death of Suzuki Harunobu, Shiba Kokan is that it was making the work in the name of Harunobu for a while.

The thirty-six Views of the Fifty-three Stages of the Tokaido Utagawa Hiroshige, Hokusai Fugaku, If you look closely well, perspective is used in the pivotal points. The medium-term since the Edo
, Western techniques paintings, seen often for painters, was a technique well-established fairly.

Glasses except possible Hiraga Gennai is made. By seeing glasses except the landscapes placed under, and is devised to appear more three-dimensionally.

In the early 19th century, the Japanese have been able to manufacture their own already, a microscope and reflecting telescope brought from abroad. Again, I am amazed at the high level of technology in this country.

In the book, using such a reflecting telescope, to observe the moon, check with your own eyes that it is exactly the same as the surface view of the month in which the Westerners drew, Shiba Kokan is, for the advancement of technology of the West, he have the honor obediently .

It is affecting the image of the West Museum, in Japan at the time, depicting the flora and fauna of Japan, Museum paintings many were drawn. Dexterous Japanese of the hand has left a lot of great work here.

Edo period, is thought to have the seclusion, information from overseas, and has not entered, but you look at this exhibition, scientific knowledge is Europe's leading at the time, has been brought to Japan I understood that was.

It might be that such science is to colonize the society, social system that, rather than simply the presence or absence knowledge itself, to disseminate it that is important.