"Hokusai Exhibition at the Freer Gallery of Art" The "Tsuzuri Project" produced high-definition reproductions.

The Freer Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C., USA) holds approximately 12,700 pieces of Japanese art in its collection, boasting one of the world's premier collections of Katsushika Hokusai's original paintings.
The "Tsuzuri Project," meanwhile, is a social contribution initiative promoted by the Kyoto Culture Association and Canon. Its goal is to preserve original cultural assets and utilize high-definition reproductions. By combining Canon's advanced digital technology with the masterful skills of Kyoto's traditional craftsmen, the project creates high-definition reproductions of precious cultural assets like folding screens, sliding door paintings, and picture scrolls, which are then donated to temples, shrines, and museums.

Since all works in the Freer Gallery's collection are considered off-limits for public display, the Tsuzuri Project produced 13 high-definition reproductions of Hokusai's original paintings from the museum's holdings for this exhibition. These will be displayed alongside approximately 130 related works from the Sumida Hokusai Museum's collection.
The exhibition features comparative displays using cutting-edge digital technology, such as detailed research on the large-scale six-panel folding screen "Six Views of Tamagawa" and a comparison of wave depictions between the Freer Gallery's original ink painting "Wave" (displayed as a high-definition reproduction) and the Sumida Hokusai Museum's woodblock print "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" from "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji." This exhibition delves into the essence of Hokusai's artistry.

An opening ceremony was held the day before the public opening. Museum Director Mitsuaki Hashimoto stated, "This special exhibition was conceived with the desire to effectively utilize the high-definition reproductions of Hokusai's works, which the Tsuzuri Project has generously donated to Sumida Ward. We aim to share Japan's aesthetic sensibilities and values with the world. Moreover, we are entering an era where we must consider new approaches to viewing art and rethink exhibition methods. Our museum also aims to become an institution befitting this new era."
Ryohei Miyata, Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, remarked, "This exhibition is perfectly suited for our museum. Viewing these works here offers a different experience from seeing them at the Freer Gallery. I sincerely hope many people will come to see it."

Canon Vice President Tanaka explained the Tsuzuri Project, stating, "Through this project, we have produced 51 works, including this piece. We are delighted to be able to donate this Hokusai work. We wish to continue contributing to social and cultural development through our technology."
James Urak, Head of Japanese Art at the Freer Gallery of Art, remarked, "It is an honor for the Freer Gallery to be a key participant in the Tsuzuri Project. Hokusai is often called 'the best diplomat.' When I visited Japan 48 years ago, I felt the soul of Tokyo was in the downtown area, and Hokusai's spirit resides here. We look forward to continuing our cooperative relationship between our two institutions."

Sumida Hokusai Museum Official Website:
https://hokusai-museum.jp/

Tsuzuri Project Official Website:
https://global.canon/ja/tsuzuri/