Ogura Yuki (小倉遊亀)
Yuki OGURA (March 1, 1895 - July 23, 2000) was a Japanese-style painter. Her real name was Yuki. Yuki's birth name was Yuki MIZOUE. She was born in Shiga Prefecture. She graduated from Nara Women's Higher Normal School (present-day Nara Women's University).
She received a prize in In-ten (the Japan Academy of Fine Arts Exhibition) in 1926, and became the first female member of 'Nihon bijutsuin' (the Japan Academy of Fine Arts) in 1932. Characterized by colorful portraits and still-life paintings, she is a leading Japanese female painter, along with Shoen UEMURA. Yuki's works included "O-fujin Zazo" (Portrait of Mrs. O), "Shojo" (Girl), and "Yokujo Sonoichi" (Bathing Women 1).
Career
Yuki was born on March 1, 1895, in Maruya-cho, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture.
(Her birth name was Yuki MIZOUE, and therefore Yuki was her real name.)
In 1913 she entered the Shiga Prefectural Ohtsu Girls' High School (present-day Shiga Prefectural Ohtsu High School), and in 1917 she graduated from Nara Women's Higher Normal School (present-day Nara Women's University). While teaching Japanese literature at a girls' high school, she started studying under Yukihiko YASUDA IN 1920. In 1926, her painting "Kyuri" (Cucumbers) received a prize in the Japan Academy of Fine Arts Exhibition. Thereafter, Yuki received prizes in the exhibition every time it was held until "Tsubaki Sandai" (literally, Camellia, three themes) of 1998.
In 1932 she became the first female member of 'Nihon bijutsuin' (the Japan Academy of Fine Arts), and in 1936 she married Tetsuki OGURA who studied under Tesshu YAMAOKA. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ogura lived in Kamakura. In 1976 Yuki OGURA was selected to become a member of 'Nihon Geijutsuin' (the Japan Art Academy), and was chosen as a Person of Cultural Merit in 1978. In 1980 she was conferred the Order of Cultural Merit, being the second female painter thus honored after Shoen UEMURA. Yuki served as the chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Japan Academy of Fine Arts from 1990 to 1996. She held a solo exhibition in Paris in 1999. At the age of 105, she died in Kamakura in 2000.
The curtains of the auditorium of Nara Women's University were designed based on her painting "Ranman" (literally, in full bloom), and likewise, the curtains of the gymnasium of Shiga Prefectural Ohtsu High School were designed based on her "Usushimo" (literally, thin frost).
In 1954
- Awarded the 4th Shoen UEMURA Prize for works including the "Portrait of Mrs. O."
In 1955
- "Rafu" (Female Nude) (exhibited at the 39th Japan Academy of Fine Arts Exhibition) was awarded an Minister of Education Award for Fine Arts in art area.
In 1957
- "Shojo" (Girl) (exhibited at the 41st Japan Academy of Fine Arts Exhibition) received the 8th Mainichi Art Award.
In 1962
- "Boshi" (Mother and Child) (exhibited at the 46th Japan Academy of Fine Arts Exhibition) won the 18th Japan Art Academy Award.
In 1975
- Kanagawa Cultural Award
In 1979
- Shiga Prefectural Cultural Prize
Major Works
"Yokujo Sonoichi" (Bathing Women 1) (1938, owned by The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo)
"Jusen o Utau" (literally, Singing the Praises of Baptism) (1936, owned by The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga)
"Kanzeon Bosatsu" (literally, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, the Kannon) (1941, owned by The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga)
"Maiko" (Maiko Maiden, meaning Apprentice Geisha) (1969, owned by The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto)