Page 26 - Christie's Fine Chinese Paintings May 27, 2019 Hong Kong

PROPERTY FROM THE CHOKAIDO MUSEUM COLLECTION ᯨᅿਕ⟞⻒㩉ⳉި (LOTS 923-930)

The Hall of Clear Thought, written by Weng Tonghe

Yamamoto’s ardent passion for Chinese painting and calligraphy in his final years he entrusted around sixty percent of the
is reflected in the comprehensive nature of his collection, Chokaido collection to his former ministerial aide Inokuma
encompassing the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. He was Nobuyuki (1906-1991), later chairman of Mie Kotsu
a meticulous collector, consulting numerous experts on every Transportation Co., Ltd. Inokuma originally housed the
new acquisition. The list of eminent scholars and connoisseurs collection in his Tokyo residence, but fortuitously moved it in
who informed his collecting is truly extensive, including: Naito its entirety to his hometown of Yokkaichi in Mie prefecture
Torajiro, Nagao Uzan, Luo Zhenyu, Omura Seigai (1868- before the outbreak of the Second World War. Once again the
1927), Namekawa Tanjo (1868-1936), Kuroki Kinto (1866- collection narrowly escaped destruction, as it had in the great
1923), and Kawai Minoru (1871-1945). Many of these notable Kant˛ earthquake of 1923. In 1963 Inokuma personally funded
scholars and connoisseurs inscribed colophons or title slips for the establishment of the Chokaido archive, as a center for the
the Chokaido collection. In addition to acquiring works which appreciation, research and preservation of the collection. In
had come to Japan, Yamamoto sourced works directly on his 1986 he formally incorporated the Chokaido collection, again
travels in China. He visited collectors in Fujian, Hangzhou, through his personal finances, and served as its first director
Suzhou, Shanghai, Guangdong, Beijing and Shandong. A general. The Chokaido Museum officially opened to the public
substantial number of the pieces in his collection were acquired in 1994, realising Yamamoto and Inokuma’s vision of making
on these visits. In the preface to the Catalogue of Painting and this collection available for the enjoyment, appreciation and
Calligraphy from the Chokaido Collection, Naito Torajiro indicates research of a wider audience.
the scale and quality of Yamamoto’s collection, stating: “Today
there are many collectors in this country who feel the allure of As noted above, a portion of the Chokaido collection was
Chinese painting and calligraphy, yet the Chokaido collection sold in its early years. Today, many works with this esteemed
of Agriculture Minister Yamamoto Tejiro is foremost among provenance can be found in the collections of major museums
them all.” The input of so many eminent scholars, artists, and across the globe, including: the Osaka City Museum, the
connoisseurs, and the active role Yamamoto played in the Fujii Yurinkan, the Tokyo National Museum, the Boston
collecting circles of the Kansai region, deepened the quality Museum of Fine Arts, and the Cleveland Museum of Art. This
and expanded the breadth of this exceptional collection. international audience for the Chokaido collection underscores
its importance, relevance and value to the field of Chinese
After Yamamoto left office he faced some financial difficulties, painting and calligraphy today.
leading him to sell off a portion of his collection. Fortunately,

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