An investigation on the method of “fusion of East and West” in Ikuo Hirayama's Japanese paintings

Focusing on the universalization of the characteristics of Japanese paintings

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the method of "fusion of East and West" in the works of Ikuo Hirayama, focusing on his books, including "The Complete Works of Ikuo Hirayama." Firstly, it examines the originality of Hirayama's work among contemporary Japanese painters and uses it as a hypothesis to investigate the "fusion of East and West" method in his work. Secondly, it takes the relationship between his work and the religious paintings from the East and the West as a premise, and through analyzing Hirayama's works from different periods, it demonstrates the influence of French Post-Impressionist painter Paul Gauguin on Hirayama's work and points out the technique of expressing the "light" and ideas of his painting, as well as the method "fusion of East and West" in Hirayama's work, which is the method of making Japanese art and culture accessible to the general public. Specifically, taking the material collection and painting production activities that had a significant influence on Hirayama's art as an opportunity, an investigation was conducted into Hirayama's creative activities in four periods: from graduation until 1958, at Tokyo School of Fine Arts(Currently,Tokyo University of the Arts), 1959-1960, 1961-1967, and after 1968, in order to trace the development of the "East-West fusion" method. In addition, it extensively examines the "fusion of East and West" method in Hirayama's works and its influences. Finally, it summarizes the "fusion of East and West" method in Hirayama's art.