Karhu Collection, an Art Gallery at Kanazawa’s Kazuemachi Chaya District
Thanks to all the support, it has been more than 5 years since Yanis Art Japan, Ltd., opened the gallery Karhu Collection in a corner of Kazuemachi Chaya District in Kanazawa. Everyday, we have visitors from various parts of the globe. We thank you from the bottom of our heart.
Our gallery utilizes a renovated chaya, or traditional tea house, which once served as the atelier-cum-home for the now deceased Clifton W. Karhu, who continuously depicted landscapes of Japan’s ancient cities as a woodblock print artist, moved his residence from Kyoto to Kanazawa's Asano Riverside in his later years and, in spite of his deep love of Kanazawa's chaya district sceneries, passed away to the grief of many in March, 2007.
The gallery project was originally planned in 2007, just before the artist died. After his death, many of his works were stored dormant in his old house.
In the gallery, we regularly exhibit/sell about 20 pieces of Karhu’s works (including woodblock prints, ink paintings, and ornamental plates, etc.). In addition, the five-shelved storage in the room renovated from traditional earthen-wall warehouse stores 500 or so woodblock prints and ink paintings according to their themes, which can be browsed or sold anytime upon request. Among them are many works appearing in the public eye for the first time, making it possible for Karhu fans reminiscing his bygone days to discover a much-coveted gem.
The tourist-bustling locality as well as the cultivated ambience of Kazuemachi Chaya District, where one can have chance encounters with geikos going about their day and overhear the notes of shamisen, offer an ideal setting to immerse oneself in the gallery's collections.
Kazuemachi is situated alongside the Asano River and, on October 1st, 1999, became the first town in Japan to have its original town name restored. Moreover, the area is known as Asano Riverside Kazuemachi Chaya District, one of the three remaining chaya districts in the castle town Kanazawa.
Named after the fact that the Kaga clansman Kazue Tomita’s residence was located, the area is designated as the city's preservation district for its important historic building complex, along with the “East” Higashiyama chaya district.
A traditional chaya district where the fresh stream of Asano River, the natural surroundings overlooking Mt. Utatsu and architectural beauty all harmonize with one another, it features lined-up Kimusukos, or Kanazawa-style lattice doors, which exude quaint atmosphere.
The interior, which Karhu himself designed to minute details, offers a unique space where the Japanese and the Western perfectly blend in harmony with one another. In each of these details, one can appreciate the artist’s commitment to his aesthetic creed as well as his overflowing humor. In addition, we exhibit those materials, brushes and printing blocks that the artist actually worked with.
We also hope that our gallery can serve as a venue for the locals to meet and mingle, hold personal exhibitions or premier their artworks. Please feel free to contact us.
Artwork Sales
Our collection includes a wide variety of woodblock prints, ink paintings, and sketches, etc., that Karhu produced throughout his life. You will find not only works that have been already on the market, but also many others that for one reason or the other have yet to see the light of the day. We invite you to see and touch the actual works, so you can the feel their "breath." You will be able to experience the colors, touches and textures of the original works to the fullest, which photographed works can never convey.
Artwork Circulation
We loan Karhu's artworks to corporate offices, commercial facilities, and shops, etc. By periodically rotationing pieces to decorate the interior, please enjoy your own spatial presentation with Karhu’s works.
Art Goods Sales
Karhu produced a wide variety of artworks, ranging from cut-out townhouse landscapes using vivid colors to lovely, humorous pieces that fall somewhere between kitsch and pop. We independently develop and sell art goods that allow you to casually experience the charm of Karhu’s works.
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3-19 Kazuemachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa TEL: +81(0)76-255-6249 (Main)
E-mail:info@cw-karhu.jp
Opening Hours: 10:00a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed on Tuesdays
If you would like to spend some time at the gallery to consider purchasing Karhu’s works, we recommend that you make a reservation ahead of time via phone or email. Visitors with reservations are given priority access.