The first exhibition devoted solely to Important Cultural Properties opened today, the 17th, at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, next to the Palaceside Building. The 70th-anniversary show "Secrets of Important Cultural Properties" (organized by The Mainichi Newspapers and others) displays only works designated Important Cultural Properties among paintings, sculpture and crafts from the Meiji era onward, and art fans have been coming from the first day.
Of 68 Important Cultural Properties in so-called modern art as of this March, 51 pieces — 75 percent — are on view (with rotations during the run). Masterpieces include Takahashi Yuichi's "Salmon," Kaburaki Kiyokata's recently recommended triptych "Tsukiji Akashicho," "Shintomicho" and "Hamacho-gashi," Kano Hogai's "Merciful Mother Kannon," Kishida Ryusei's "Reiko Smiling," Hishida Shunso's "Black Cat," Yokoyama Taikan's "Metempsychosis," Kuroda Seiki's "Lakeside," Yorozu Tetsugoro's "Nude Beauty" and Takamura Koun's "Old Monkey."
The museum opened in December 1952 and has marked its 70th year. The first Meiji-and-later works designated Important Cultural Properties were named in 1955; by tracing that history the exhibition clarifies the path of research on modern Japanese art. It runs through May 14.