To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of painter Tsuguharu Foujita, the Bernard Buffet Museum, located on Clematis Hill in Shizuoka Prefecture, will be holding an exhibition focusing on his illustrations, "50 Years After His Death: Tsuguharu Foujita: The Work of Books - A World of Pictures Disguised as Words," from June 23 to August 21, and from August 23 to October 30.

Tsuguharu Foujita, circa 1928. Photo: André Kertesz
ullstein bild / Uniphoto Press
In Europe, "illustrated books" were valued not only as books but also as works of art. Especially from the late 19th century through the 20th century, rare illustrated books were collectibles for book lovers. When Foujita arrived in Paris, Europe was in the midst of a booming era for illustrated books, with books featuring illustrations and bindings by artists like Picasso and Chagall being published one after another, further increasing their popularity. In 1919, Foujita created his first illustrated book, "Poetry," and by the 1920s, more than 30 illustrated books had been published in France. This volume of work, surpassing that of other artists already working on illustrations, reflects Foujita's popularity in France at the time and also demonstrates his own fascination with the world of illustrated books. Throughout his life, the artist worked on over 100 books, actively engaging in both painting and illustrated books. This exhibition focuses on Fujita's "book work," including illustrated books published in France before the war, his publishing work in Japan from the 1930s and 1940s, and illustrations for large, luxurious books he created after moving to France in 1950. It also features his "artistic work," including paintings and prints, as well as postcards and illustrated letters he sent to friends, handmade toys, and ceramics, showcasing his wide-ranging creative activities. There will also be an exhibition themed around cats, which Fujita loved. He left behind so many works depicting cats that he was even called the "cat painter." In his books, such as Michael Joseph's "The Book of Cats" (1930) and Elizabeth Coatsworth's "Night and Cats" (1950), adorable cats are depicted in a variety of poses, depicted with Fujita's delicate brushstrokes. In addition to these meticulously drawn cats, the exhibition will also feature his free-spirited ink and watercolor works. A special exhibit will also feature a folding screen and partitions featuring 26 cats.