Takamura Kōun

In this Japanese name, the surname is Takamura.

Takamura Kōun in May 1928

Takamura Kōun (高村 光雲, March 8, 1852 – October 10, 1934) was a Japanese sculptor who exerted himself for the modernization of wood carving and a professor of Tokyo School of Fine Arts, who dedicated himself to the education of the future generations.[1]

Life and career

Born in Tokyo[1] as Nakajima Kōzō,[2] he created the bronze statue of Saigō Takamori, completed in 1898, which stands in Ueno Park in Tokyo.[3] He is also the author of the statue of Kusunoki Masahige which stands in front of the Tokyo Imperial Palace.[4]

He studied under Takmura Tōun (高村東雲), a sculptor of Buddhist statues, whose elder sister became Kōun's adoptive parent.[1] He was the father of the poet and sculptor Kōtarō Takamura.[5]

One of his representative works is "Aged Monkey" (Rōen).[6]

References

1. 高村光雲 (Takamura Kōun) Kotobank (Japanese)
2. "Takamura Kōun". Enciclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
3. "Takamura, Koun (1852 - 1934)". National Diet Library of Japan. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
4. Takeuchi, Melinda (2004). The Artist as Professional in Japan. Stanford University Press. p. 152.
5. "A Collection of Books". taito-culture.jp. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
6. "Aged Monkey" (Rōen) By Takamura Koun｜NHK WORLD The Magic of Japanese Masterpieces

External links

Media related to Takamura Koun at Wikimedia Commons

• Koun Takamura's grave