Famous painting by artist Hirasawa re-discovered by son
Takehiko Hirasawa, an adopted son of late artist and former death-row inmate Sadamichi Hirasawa, shows his father's long-lost famous screen painting, "Karikachi Taikan." (Mainichi)
(Mainichi Japan) June 15, 2010
A long-lost screen painting by the late artist and former death-row inmate Sadamichi Hirasawa has been discovered after 60 years.
Takehiko Hirasawa, 51, an adopted son of the late painter, discovered one of his father's most famous works, "Karikachi Taikan" (Panoramic View from the Karikachi Pass), which was lost about 60 years ago.
Hirasawa produced the piece before he was arrested over the Teigin poisoning murder case in 1948. The artist insisted his innocence until he died in jail at the age of 95 in 1987.
"It is one of his representative works. He was never able to return to his hometown of Otaru (in Hokkaido Prefecture), and I would like to put it on display there," Takehiko said.
Hirasawa, who began to show his artistic talent as a young boy, left his hometown and studied under master painter Taikan Yokoyama. He became recognized in the nation's art world after his works won prizes in the Nika Association Exhibition and other prestigious art events.
he discovered painting was produced in 1925 at the request of a Japanese restaurant in Otaru. Using a dynamic composition, Hirasawa painted a panoramic view from the Karikachi Pass located in central Hokkaido on two golden six-fold screens, both measuring 174 by 349 centimeters.
After the painter was arrested in 1948, the screens were sold off, and they eventually were lost after passing through the hands of many different owners.
Takehiko started visiting galleries and antique art dealers nationwide in 1989, and has so far collected about 60 artworks created by his father. He recently bought back the "Karikachi Taikan" from a Tokyo art gallery.
"I hope people will evaluate his talent as a painter fairly," said Takehiko.
