The Art of Kozu

The Takayanagi family of art dealers have long been associated with the artist ichiro Kozu (1878-1953). In Paris, the founder of the Midori Gallery knew him when he painted his tragic, married lover, miko. Even more controversially, Kozu's painting in Indochina during the Japanese occupation 'looks past the cruelty … to see the horror'. Kozu's eye was uncompromising and clear, whatever the cost. Against the grain of Japanese art he painted from life, from observation rather than memory and imagination. He had no compunction in using people, whether servants or lovers, to set his scenes, no fear of dissection or execution. His paintings testify to a criminal indifference. With the war over interest is renewed in the art of ichiro Kozu, but can the truth really be understood from a painting? Is direct observation and accuracy enough? Perhaps a story is also required.