New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-10
ART AND LETTERS IN JAPAN.
A TALK WITH ONE OF THE MIKADO'S IN
PERIAL COMMISSIONERS.
THE GREAT LIFE-wORK OF NoBUAKIRA YAM
ATAKA-A DISCUSSION OF THE poLITI-
ALTON

ATAKA-A DISCUSSION OF THE POLITI-
CAL SITUATION.
Among the foreigners who making tours Of
this country in connection with visit 10 the
Worlds Fair are three members Of the Imperial
Japanese Commission, who are now In this city.
They have spent several days here visiting points
of interest. They will go to Philadelphia to-day,
returning to this city again before going back to
Chicago where they will remain until the close OF
the exhibition
Nobuakira Yamataka, one OF the three visitors
is the head OF the japanese Commission He is
about fifty years old and has lived an interesting
9ife almost wholly devoted to art the revival or
art in Japan and the application Of art to industry
He has been for eighteen years director OF the In
dustrial and Applied Art departments OF the I'M
perial Museum at Toxic He has had charge OF every
National Art exhibition in Japan in recent years,
and has prepared the Japanese exhibits In interna
tionaI expositions. In recognition OF MS services
he has several times been decorated by the Mikado
and has received the cross of the Legion OF Honor
from the French Government.
Japan governed by feudal laws until ABOUT
thirty years ago. There about 800 feudal ords
each having his mOdicum OF territory ue d'so'
holders naturally being more powerful anu pos
sessng greater political influence. Mr. famataka
was vassal of the Lord Tokugawa,, one OF the
most powerful and wealthy potena'es' ""oSo
family was among the most nlustrious In Japan.
Rv him Mr. Yamataka when young man was sent
TO France TO be educated. At the end OF one year
the young student was summoned nome 10y '"e
outbreak Of civil, war in Japan forelsh "aNo"'
were at that time seeking to open Japan ana her
norris TO the world. strong party was ioriheu' 'e
obiect of which was give Japan "A strong. cen
traIized government. The opposition was aiso
.tronr and in his ranks was the LORD IoKueawa
rh re,orrn nartv however carried the day. and be-
fore Mr. Yamataka reached his native iahu inc
mar was over and the Mikado's power was hrmiy
~s,eh,,sbed The Lord Tokugwa accepted the re-
suit of the conflict. and his follower MT fama'aha
fs now one OF the stanch supporters OF the En'p'e
Mr. Yarnataka's artistic tendencies had SNOW"
themselves before the civil war. and soon AFTER
&c close when the Mkado founded the Irnperfn
>,,sa,n, NJ Toxic. Mr. Yamataka was attached
90 tho staff i'm charge The enlargement OF the
museum soon resulted In II division mo depart
nents and Mir. Yamataka was appointed uirec.o'
of the art department eignteeh years as
holds the same place to-day. and the growth OF
~. r,useum-about $4,000 has been spent upon
a. annuay-and his own artistic enor's nave Piaeeu
his name and position high in the estimation OIL 'he
Japanese ,.,,. ,,
Mr. Yamataka does not speak much English' ou'
Yo,aro Koniehi. another of the commissioners mas
a good command Of the language althous" VIE 10
h,s first visit to an English speaking country.
Mr. Konishi is young man. snort ol s'a'u'e' VIZ"
.be dark skin black hair and features Oh MS rave
II,s manner is pleasant and he Is Thoroughly "iuc
o,ate and anxious to learn all he can He was
a, 1901 and is a mechanical engineer
y Niinomi the third member OF the party,
,s a graduate Of the Architectural Department
~ the University Of Toxic. He has already achieVed
.,ccess as the architect OF the bulidihg OF the
v,ar,rosnt of Agriculture and Commerce at Toxic,
ard az An assistant in furnishing the designs 10Y
a. NOW immortal Palace which has been erected
a.. r,ace NJ the old one which was burned twenty
two years ago NIT, 80
The three Commissioners received tribune re-
xor,or at the Westminster Hotel yesterday morn
Inc Mr. Konishi acted as Interpreter. and gave
the foregoing information. Speaking Oh inc t's'ory
and present condition Of japanese ART referring
Treo,,entlv TO Mr. Yamataka for the facts he
said
1.-The history of fine art In Japan goes pacN ABOUT
aD wears Considerable progress had peeh maue
at the beginning OF that era The advance mas oeeh
marked by waves OF progress, followed py pe'iouS
Of ou,et and even retrogression. In times OF peace
the riva,ries between the feudal lords would be
'often directed toward art. Public competitions
were frequent. and each lord took pIloe III saSi"s'
MY painter or my maker OF vases or lacquer
A the best In those times art hourished In tunes
of war between the feudal lords art languished'
and works of art were destroyed. About 400 years
90 there was a time OF remarkable progress. Then
civil war came and destroyed many OF the hnest
works of that period. About go years ago thefe
was another great revival The war preceding inc
struggle for a centralized government. twenty
seven years ago. destroyed many WOIhS VI ar an"
stopped progress for time. During the last seven
eight years there has been remarkable progress
Mr. Yamataka has largely contributed TO bring
about the present revival of japanese art He has
gathered excellent collection of art objects at
Toxic. including paintings. sculpture, porcelaines
pottery gold lacquer. woven and embroidered
clothes. etc. He founded the Fine Arts Society of
Japan. which now has 1900 members. and in
recognition Of mis- services he was made men,
Der Of the imperial household. receives his salary
from the Mikado instead of from the Government |
Treasury For his services in arranging the Japan
ess exhibit at the Centennial Exposition in Pha-
6einha he was decorated by the Mikado with the !
Rising Sun order. National art exhibitions are |
held In Japan every five years. and after each Of
these Mr. Yamataka has received Rising Sun |
medal OF a higher order. Nine years ago he es-
fabiished school Of design. which he personally |
q the Imperial Museum have been established