LOCAL artist, Honjo Takashi will retire this year as head of art at Kutchan High School. He looks forward to devoting more of his time to his own painting.
PASSIONATE about the beauty of the environment in which he lives, Honjo’s painting style is reflected in his sensitive approach he has and the subtle colours he uses. In preparation for the spare time he will have in the future, Honjo recently built a new art studio that looks out over Mount Yotei.
Although he paints the changing seasons, he is captivated by the changing lights and the many hues of the winter snow scape. He loves to paint everything from flowing local rivers and mountains, to towns in between Sapporo and Kutchan.
As well as being inspired by his surroundings, Honjo’s greatest influence continues to be the 400-year-old works of the sumie (ink-painting) master Geijutsu Shincho.
Honjo is just one of many artists featured as part of the Kutchan Art Festival. Currently on now, the Kutchan Art Festival will run until March 27 and profiles various local artists. It is held at Shu Oguwara Art Museum, which can be easily accessed by public transport: From the Kutchan Station take the Jagaringou bus and it will get you there in about 20 minutes.
If you don’t have time to go to the art festival, you can view Honjo’s works at Momiji Gallery in Momiji-zaka. This gallery is filled with a beautiful collection of art, local photography, paintings, clothing, antiques and collectables. This includes beautiful replicas of Hiroshige’s One Hundred Famous Views of Edo – the famous artist’s wood-block painting collection. Ask Margo for a view and she’ll surely open up your eyes to the stunning colours and intricate patterns of wood-block painting.