The Arrival of a Christian Missionary – (Takehisa Yumeji) ◄ Previous Next ►

Artist: Takehisa Yumeji

Date: 1914

Museum: Fukuda Art Museum (Kyoto, Japan)

Technique: Silk

Takehisa Yumeji (1884-1934) was born in Okayama prefecture. His real name was Mojiro. Yumeji moved to Tokyo and studied in Waseda Jitsugyo. He published illustrations and poems in newspapers and magazines. He sprang into fame when he published “Yumeji Gashu: Haru no Maki” (A collection of Yumeji’s illustrations - Spring volume) in 1909. He was gifted in literature and published works of tanka, haiku, and novels in addition to poems. He opened Minatoya in 1914 to sell goods of his design such as postcards, envelopes, decorative paper called Chiyogami, and decorative collars. He also undertook binding design for books and sheet music, and enjoyed great popularity as a designer. His painting was self-taught but ranged widely from oil, watercolor, to Japanese style painting. He was particularly known for establishing his unique style of Bijinga, pictures of beautiful women, using close female friends as models. Western style was favored during the period from the end of the Meiji era to the Taisho era, just as the poem “Jashumon Hikyoku” by Kitahara Hakushu (1885-1942) begins as “I think of the heresy of the end of the world, magical powers of a Christian God, the captain of the Black Ship, wondrous world of red-haired people.” This work was also created based upon such exoticism. A missionary from overseas and a prostitute who lives in a life of shame sit next to each other in a port town busy with ships that somewhat reminds us of Nagasaki. The crimson kimono contrasts vividly with the black Western style clothing. There are some characters, “yono,” “yume,” “haka,” and “tamakura” visible on the tie-dyedKimono, indicating a tanka in Ogura Hyakuninisshu by Suouno Naishi: “If I take your arm as a pillow, it will be like a momentary dream in a spring night, but there will be a spurious and disgraceful rumor. That I shall regret.” The only links between them are the rosary that shines on the man’s breast and the Holy Bible in the woman’s hands. The woman’s eyes are wide open as if she had insight, and her ecstatic smile leaves a strong impression.