Seventeen Cherries No. 4 variant (33 x 26 cm) by Kokyo Hatanaka

On a faintly black background, seventeen cherries are scattered about at will. The darkness of the background accentuates the brightness of the cherries even more. Some cherries are slightly discolored or a bit dull, and these varying hues quietly shine in the darkness.

While cherries symbolize youth and vitality, they also remind the viewer of the beauty of new beginnings and maturity. Each cherry appears to roll freely, moving in its own direction. This arrangement symbolizes the diversity, choices, and possibilities of individual lives, reflecting the journey from youth to maturity.

Overall, this painting celebrates the hope of new beginnings and suggests light within the darkness. Coupled with the mystique of the prime number seventeen, the piece exudes a certain enchanting allure.

He has a deep knowledge of the transmission of Buddhist art from India to Japan, and many of his works have Buddhist themes, such as Indian folklore and Buddhist legends. As both a religious figure and a painter, he believes in discovering themes through the study of historical works, mainly from India, and thinking about the essence of painting and how to live through painting production.

1947 : Born in Nara Prefecture / 1977 : 21st Shell Art Award / 1978 : 1st Tokyo Central Art Museum Japanese Painting Award / 1987 : 5th Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Newcomer Award / 2002 : Nikkei Japanese Painting Award / 2004 : 22nd Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Award, Distinguished Service Award / 2014 : Kyoto Art and Culture Award / 2015 : Kyoto City Cultural Distinguished Award, and many other awards .
●Former professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design