There are numerous letters sent by international students to Ohara Magosaburo, a Japanese businessman and social entrepreneur, from the late Meiji period to the Taisho period.
These letters include requests for purchasing paintings and proposals regarding the significance of acquiring classical medical texts.
It took 30 to 40 days for the letters sent by the international students to reach Ohara Magosaburo.
We will interpret the exchanges that took an unimaginable amount of time in modern society based on the letters from the international students.
What was the relationship like between Ohara Magosaburo, who sent international students abroad with the instruction to study and acquire the latest instruments and papers, and the dispatched international students?
We will introduce what was learned in the seminar and the keywords derived from discussions in the round study.
Overview of the 36th Kurashiki Future K School Special Exhibition "Numerous Letters Remaining in the Ohara Family - Letters from International Students from Europe and America"
The Kurashiki Future K School holds monthly seminars at the nationally designated important cultural property, Ohara House Katalyzer, located in the Bikan Historical Area.
The 36th seminar featured a special exhibition titled "Numerous Letters Remaining in the Ohara Family - Letters from International Students from Europe and America".
It was held on January 21, 2023 (Saturday) at 1 PM at the Ohara House Katalyzer Book Cafe.
The curator of Ohara House Katalyzer, Mizushima Hiroshi, served as the lecturer.
After the seminar, a round study was conducted by the members of F-cafe.
The following three individuals provided support.
- Emori Mayako: Representative of the general incorporated association Manabito
- Kitaura Nao: Kankou Manabonekt Co., Ltd.
- Harada Saburo: Associate Professor at Shitennoji University Faculty of Education
The round study is a training method that creates a dialogue-centered space for diverse discussions.
Letters from Kojima Torajiro
Western painter Kojima Torajiro was dispatched to Europe to refine his painting skills.
During his third study abroad (1922-1923), the main purpose was to purchase paintings.
During this study abroad, he purchased representative artworks of the Ohara Museum of Art, such as works by Rodin and El Greco's "Annunciation."
Purchase of ceramics from Egypt and Persia
Kojima Torajiro reported that several representative works of contemporary artists and famous families were found in Paris, the study abroad destination.
These works were priced at 10,000 to 15,000 yen at the time, which would be about 100 million yen today.
He proposed to Ohara Magosaburo that he wanted to collect 13 works from 13 artists, one work per artist.
Additionally, the purchase of ceramics from Egypt and Persia was a significant motivation for Kojima Torajiro.
He reported that he purchased several hundred pieces of ceramics (mostly fragments) at prices ranging from 400 to 1,000 yen, which are displayed at the Louvre Museum and the British Museum.
Today, that would be about 4 to 5 million yen to about 10 million yen.
Purchase of works by Rodin
In the letter requesting the purchase of Rodin's works, four candidate photos for purchase were enclosed.
Kojima Torajiro asked, "How many can I buy?"
At this time, Kojima Torajiro had already decided to purchase one piece, the naked male statue "John the Baptist," with the assumption of buying two pieces.
As a result of the exchanges with Ohara Magosaburo, he purchased the naked man "John the Baptist" and the dressed man "Citizens of Calais."
Purchase of El Greco's "Annunciation"
Kojima Torajiro also sent a photo when purchasing El Greco's "Annunciation."
El Greco's painting is up for sale.
I will send a photo, so please decide whether to buy it or not.
The price was 175,000 francs, which is about 30,000 yen, and today would be approximately 300 million yen.
At this moment, Kojima Torajiro was also troubled.
If he gave up on El Greco's painting, he could buy several paintings from famous artists like Chavanne and Gauguin.
After much deliberation, he decided to make the purchase.
El Greco's "Annunciation" became a proud piece that Kojima Torajiro was satisfied with.
Chavanne's "Fantasy" is an important work for understanding Chavanne's life.
The paintings and artworks collected by Kojima Torajiro became representative works of the Ohara Museum of Art.
Letters from Teruoka Gito
Teruoka Gito, the director of the Kurashiki Labor Science Research Institute and an industrial physician, sent letters regarding Japan's situation from an overseas perspective.
The letters contained the following content.
The Ohara Social Problems Research Institute and the Kurashiki Labor Science Research Institute should be combined into the Ohara Research Institute, and everyone should work hard without sparing any effort.
Citizens need to assist Ohara's will and lend their strength to the development of Kurashiki.
Let's involve the citizens and create a better living environment.
Bringing back medical books without parting
William Harvey's 'An Anatomical Study of the Heart of Animals and the Motion of Blood' is a book that scientifically proved the circulation of blood within the human body.
Although Yoshitake Akira purchased many medical classics, this book is the only one that he kept close at hand.
Upon returning to Japan, he translated and published it himself.
Advocating for the Abolition of Night Work
Using harsh expressions that seem uncharacteristic for someone who has been supported by Ohara Magosaburo, he advocates for the abolition of night work.
If young women have to work at night, there is no culture whatsoever.
The abolition of night work itself is a labor issue for KURABO INDUSTRIES LTD., where Ohara Magosaburo serves as president, and for Japanese society as a whole, and Yoshitake Akira has a strong desire to see it abolished as soon as possible.
The Kurashiki Labor Science Research Institute was established by Ohara Magosaburo to improve the working environment.
This is a typical appeal from Yoshitake Akira.
He also makes a proposal that researchers be dispatched from KURABO INDUSTRIES LTD. to a textile research institute in Germany to learn, which would be beneficial for management.
F-cafe Round Study
I participated in a round study after the seminar.
Three "islands" were created in the venue to ensure that the same members do not gather, and we moved between the "islands" to freely discuss our thoughts on the seminar's content.
First, we decided on a theme.
The theme of the first "island" I participated in was 'The Relationship Between Ohara Magosaburo and the International Students'.
Kojima Torajiro casually requests funding for the purchase of expensive paintings.
Yoshitake Akira makes quite a harsh statement towards Ohara Magosaburo, who has been covering the costs of study abroad and the purchase of medical books, saying, "There is no culture whatsoever if the female workers are made to work at night!"
There was no hesitation from either side towards Ohara Magosaburo.
This is because Ohara Magosaburo was a leader who listened carefully to the international students.
The letters sent by the international students took 30 to 40 days to reach Ohara Magosaburo.
During this time, did their enthusiasm not cool?
The international students pursued their beliefs, conducted research, and learned, purchasing cutting-edge equipment and papers.
They never cooled down.
They were passionate about improving Japan.
The Relationship Between Ohara Magosaburo and the International Students is Equal in Life
We moved between the "islands" in the venue and returned to our original "island".
Words from those who came from other "islands" were added to the whiteboard.
We also added what we discussed and heard in other "islands".
Regarding the initial theme 'The Relationship Between Ohara Magosaburo and the International Students', the keyword we derived was.
'Equal in Life'
Ohara Magosaburo is a leader who listens to others and entrusts areas he does not understand to those who are knowledgeable.
The paintings were by Kojima Torajiro, and the medical books were by Yoshitake Akira.
A successful leader in business listens well to others, so people follow him.
And because people follow him, he accomplishes great work.
The great achievements accomplished through the exchange of letters over more than a month.
Carefully cultivated culture over time.
There are things that cannot be done without taking time.
Conclusion
Through this seminar, I was able to touch upon a deeper history of the Bikan Historical Area.
The space of Ohara House Katalyzer.
In the earthen floor right at the entrance, you may find words that resonate with your current self.
Beyond the earthen floor, there is a corridor lined with storehouses.
Materials related to the Ohara family are on display.
The garden viewed from the detached room is well-maintained, creating a calm atmosphere.
As I passed through the noren, I was met with many surprises.
Right in front of me, the Ohara Museum of Art displays paintings and ceramics collected by Kojima Torajiro.
The letters from international student Kojima Torajiro at Ohara House Katalyzer connect with the artworks collected by Kojima Torajiro at the Ohara Museum of Art.
If I have the opportunity to visit the Ohara Museum of Art, I would like to remember the exchanges between Ohara Magosaburo and Kojima Torajiro while appreciating works by El Greco, Rodin, and Egyptian ceramics.
There still seems to be much to learn about the Bikan Historical Area.
Articles Related to Ohara House Katalyzer
Data for the 36th Kurashiki Future K Seminar Ohara House Katalyzer Special Exhibition "Numerous Letters Left by the Ohara Family - Letters from Overseas Students"
| Name | 36th Kurashiki Future K Seminar Ohara House Katalyzer Special Exhibition "Numerous Letters Left by the Ohara Family - Letters from Overseas Students" |
|---|---|
| Date | January 21, 2023, 1:00 PM - |
| Location | 1-2-1 Chuo, Kurashiki City |
| Website | Ohara House Katalyzer |
