Takamura Kōun

Takamura Kōun (高村光雲, March 8, 1852 – October 10, 1934) was a Japanese sculptor who exerted himself for the modernization of wood carving and a professor of Tokyo School of Fine Arts, who dedicated himself to the education of the future generations.^[1]

Born in Tokyo^[1] as Nakajima Kōzō,^[2] he created the bronze statue of Saigō Takamori, completed in 1898, which stands in Ueno Park in Tokyo.^[3] He is also the author of the statue of Kusunoki Masahige which stands in front of the Tokyo Imperial Palace.^[4]

He studied under Takmura Tōun (高村東雲), a sculptor of Buddhist statues, whose elder sister became Kōun's adoptive parent.^[1] He was the father of the poet and sculptor Kōtarō Takamura.^[5]

One of his representative works is "Aged Monkey" (Rōen).^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c 高村光雲 (Takamura Kōun) Kotobank (Japanese)
^ "Takamura Kōun". Enciclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
^ "Takamura, Koun (1852 - 1934)". National Diet Library of Japan. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
^ Takeuchi, Melinda (2004). The Artist as Professional in Japan. Stanford University Press. p. 152.
^ "A Collection of Books". taito-culture.jp. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
^ "Aged Monkey" (Rōen) By Takamura Koun｜NHK WORLD The Magic of Japanese Masterpieces