(2002/08/13)

To mark the 30th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, the Modern Chinese Wash Painting Show was opened on the morning of August 9 at Japan's Toyama Water Painting Gallery. Governor of Toyama Nakaoki, cultural attache of Chinese Embassy in Japan and representative of Chinese painters joining in the show Lu Guang spoke at the opening ceremony. Mayor of Toyama city Mori Masasi, curator of Toyama Water Painting Gallery Kato Jun, president of Chinese Mayors Painting and Calligraphy Academy Lu Guang who made a special trip to Japan, artist with Chinese Painting Research Institute Wu Xun, artists with Rongbaozhai Painting Shop and guests from various circles in Toyama County around a hundred in number, attended the ceremony.

Zhong Chongfeng said on behalf of the sponsor, The wash painting has become a link between China and Japan to strengthen friendly relations. The wash painting was started in Tang Dynasty in China. It came to Japan during Japan's Tenpyo period (710-784 AD). The wash painting skills of Song and Yuan dynasties were again introduced to Japan during the Kamakyra period (1190-1334 AD). This genre of painting was in its prime in Japan in the Muromati period (1393-1573AD). That shows that the influence of Chinese wash painting on Japanese culture and fine arts is too great to be estimated. He believes that the show here is the best form to mark the 30th anniversary of normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations and is conducive to friendly relationship and mutual understanding between the two countries.

The theme of the Modern Chinese Wash Painting Show is man and nature. On display are 60 masterpieces painted by 31 noted Chinese artists and young and middle-aged painters, among whom are the late artists Qi Baishi, Dong Shouping and Wang Xuetao; artists Zhan Gengxi, Xie Zhigao Jin Hongjun and Chen Xianglong; female artists Wang Yingchun and Denglin; and young and middle-aged artists Wu Xun, Li Yanqiang, etc, now active in art circle.

The Toyama county government and Toyama city government both think highly of the show for which an organization was specially set up called Operation Commission for Modern Chinese Wash Painting Show Marking the 30th Anniversary of Normalization of Sino-Japanese Diplomatic Relations with the county governor Nakaoki as president, the city mayor Mori as deputy president and the curator Kato as director of general affairs office. On the evening of the opening day of the show, a grand cocktail party was given by the Operation Commission. The county governor and president of Toyama Education Committee Yaki Tikanao, president of Toyama city's legislative assembly Shimada Yuhzoh, advisor of the Operation Commission and deputy chief of Toyama County's commercial and industrial meeting Mori Masao, cultural attache of Chinese Embassy in Japan and representatives of Chinese painters attended the party. Local TV station and newspaper covered lots of news about the show.

The Chinese painters Lu Guang, Wu Xun and Li Yanqiang have planned to give an account of the status quo of Chinese wash painting and the trend in its development at Toyama's Wash Painting Gallery during the show period, which is to last till August 25. Chinese Embassy in Japan, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese Cultural Agency and Japan-China Friendship Association backed the show.