Ko (bright), a submission to the thirteenth Nitten Exhibition in 1957, was conceived as the very first of the work in the form of abstraction by Sugiyama Yasushi. Two years later, Kasho (semblance), being selected for the second Shin-nitten Exhibition,  was recognized to reach a new phase of the artist’s career. Kasho is a vague image originated from a sudden idea flashing through Sugiyama’s mind while he was sketching the clouds in the night at a hotel in Akakura, Nagano. Back to a day during the production of Ko, Sugiyama was intrigued by those works laid on the atelier’s floor in an upside-down direction that inspired him to complete the work in that way. The concept in Sugiyama’s making is somewhat different from the abstract expression in the West, that is to explore the potentiality in color, form, and texture rather than to aim at the referentiality of the object. Instead, the present work is simply a result of awakening the inner beauty in Sugiyama, like what Ko and Kasho manifest.

On the center of the work, a sphere is divided symmetrically into two; from which the air blows out, encompassing all over as if it is a fireball crossing through from the dark, outer space. The composition of this painting is reminiscent of the background of Sugiyama’s representative works of a flying bird or running horses. Nevertheless, the present work fully reveals the aesthetics of the artist without the clear object.

Sugiyama Yasushi (nihonga painter; 1909−1993)
Tokyo-born nihonga painter. Student of Koizumi Katsuji and Matsuoka Eikyu. Graduated with highest honors from the nihonga course of Tokyo School of Fine Arts. Selected to exhibit at Teiten and given special prize while at school. Co-founded Ruso-gasha with Yamamoto Kyujin and kept exhibiting at it until the association dissolved. Often traveled to Egypt and other countries for inspiration. His works have an impression of depth coming from  his inner adoration for eternity, and well-conceived composition. Member of the Japan Art Academy. Consultant to Nitten. Person of Cultural Merit. Received the Order of Culture.