Gobara Koto

Gobara Koto (August 8, 1887 – April 6, 1965:286), whose real name was Horie Tōichirō, was a Japanese painter a native of Shiojiri City, Nagano Prefecture, and an art educator during the period of Japanese rule in Taiwan. Inspired by the model of the Imperial Art Exhibition (Japan Fine Arts Exhibition) held in mainland Japan, Gobara Koto collaborated with artists such as Kinichiro Ishikawa, Tōho Shiotsuki, and Kinoshita Shizua to establish the Taiwan Art Exhibition in Taiwan. He was highly dedicated to nurturing younger generations of artists, with notable students including Chen Jin (painter), Lin Aqin, Qiu Jinlian, and Zhou Hongchou, etc., who have a huge influence on Taiwan's painting circles.

Early career

Gohara Kotō, whose real name is Horie Toichiro, was born in Higashichikuma District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. His biological father is Horie Ryuichi, and his mother's name is Koko, the second son of the Horie family. When Horie Toichiro was young, because his uncle Gohara Hosaburo had no heirs, he adopted his uncle as his adopted son and changed his surname to Gohara. In 1894, Gohara entered the Kenishi Branch of Hiroyuki Elementary School and Matsumoto Oriental High School. In 1901, he entered Matsumoto Junior High School. While at school, he was inspired by art teacher Takei Masumi (1875-1957) , and started his interest in painting. (Masumi Takei graduated from the Metal Casting Department of Tokyo Art School in 1896 and was employed as an art teacher at Matsumoto Junior High School in 1900.)

Taiwan Art Exhibition

The original idea of ​​the Taiwan Exhibition was originally promoted by some Japanese art teachers and art enthusiasts in Taiwan. It was originally hoped that the exhibition would be promoted by the private sector. The magazine "Taiwan Times" at that time published an article by Tōho Shiotsuki, which mentioned that he, Gohara Kotō, Kinichiro Ishikawa, and others discussed the preparation of the Taiwan Art Exhibition near Taipei New Park. However, when they reported the matter to the officials, officials told them that they wanted the Government House authorities to host the exhibition. Later, the Taiwan Art Exhibition was organized by the Taiwan Education Association. Although it was nominally a private legal person, its main members were all important officials of the Governor-General's Office. Therefore, the Taiwan Art Exhibition can be regarded as an official exhibition with the taste of the colonial authorities. The exhibition is divided into two departments: the Eastern Painting Department and the Western Painting Department. From 1927 to 1936, the Taiwan Exhibition was held ten times, and Xiangyuan Gutong served as a judge for one to nine of them. The Taiwan Exhibition allowed many young artists to express themselves, the most famous of whom were the " Three Young Artists of the Taiwan Exhibition " ( Lin Yushan, Chen Jin, and Guo Xuehu ) at that time.

Chronology of Major Events

Gohara Kotomi, whose real name was Horie Toichiro, graduated from the Normal Department of Tokyo University of the Arts in April 1910. Obtained the teaching license of "Normal School, Middle School, Higher Girls' School\Picture Department, Calligraphy Department", "Normal School, Higher Girls' School\Handicraft Department". He came to Taiwan in 1917 and taught at Taichung Municipal Taichung First Senior High School for a short period before leaving in March 1919. In December, he transferred to the Taipei Municipal Zhongshan Girls High School to teach art. He lived in 3-22 Nanmen Town, Taipei, and soon moved to Xinqi Town. From March 12 to 14, 1920, a giant watercolor exhibition was held at the Taichung Club. From July 10th to 11th, the painting exhibition with Nobu Saito will be held at the old governor’s residence. In 1921, he married Miss Ishibashi from Akita Prefecture. February 11-12, 1922, joint exhibition with Tōho Shiotsuki. In April, he went to teach at Taipei No. 2 Middle School. In 1923, the eldest son Baozhen was born. In 1925, the second son Makoto was born. In 1927, the third son Xinsan was born. Served as a judge for the first Oriental Painting Taiwan Art Exhibition. In 1928, he served as a judge of Oriental paintings at the second Taiwan Art Exhibition. In 1929, he served as a judge of Oriental paintings at the third Taiwan Art Exhibition. On December 4, Kinichiro Ishikawa, Shioyue Mofu and Gohara Gutong held an art lecture at the Taichung Civic Center. In February 1930, he established the Tan Tan Du Office in Taipei's Kamishima Framing Shop to study Oriental paintings. The members are Setsuko Murasawa, Haruto Ooka, Cai Pin, Lin Yushan, Chen Jin, Shizua Kinoshita, Murakami Murakami, Yataro Miyata, Masaki Nasu, Moka Nomaguchi, Mizuma Kunijima, Go It is composed of Yuan Gutong, Kuo Hsueh-hu, and others. Served as a judge for the 4th Taiwan Art Exhibition of Oriental Paintings. In 1931, Moved to No. 113, Tōmon-cho, Taipei. From October 1 to 4, the Taipei Education Association hosted an exhibition of children’s paintings from elementary and public schools at the Education Hall. Advisors for the event included Ishikawa Kinichiro, Shiotsuki Tōho, and Gobara Koto. Served as a juror for Eastern-style paintings at the 5th Taiwan Art Exhibition (Taiten). In 1932,  From February 11 to 14, the Taipei Prefecture Education Association organized the 1st Teachers and Students Painting Exhibition at the old Governor's Office. Ishikawa Kinichiro, Gobara Koto, and Shiotsuki Tōho served as jurors. From September 30 to October 2, the Taiwan Nihonga Association held its 1st Exhibition at the museum. Members included Inoue Isshō, Gotō Chikudō, Katō Shiken, Gobara Koto, Jōkō Setsuzan, Kinoshita Seigai, Takebe Chikurei, Nomaguchi Bokuka, Mori Bokuzai, and Kunishima Suima. Served as a juror for Eastern-style paintings at the 6th Taiten. In 1933, From February 23 to 26, the Taipei Prefecture Education Association hosted the 2nd Teachers and Students Painting Exhibition at Kasayama Elementary School. On February 25, Gobara Koto provided critiques during an art teachers’ symposium. Served as a juror for Eastern-style paintings at the 7th Taiten. In 1934, In March, Gobara Koto, representing the Sandalwood Group, presented the Taiwan Landscape Painting Collection to Puyi, the Emperor of Manchukuo. Served as a juror for Eastern-style paintings at the 8th Taiten. In 1935, From February 22 to 26, the Taipei Prefecture Education Association held the 4th Teachers and Students Painting Exhibition at Kasayama Elementary School. Jurors included Gobara Koto, Nama Shigeru, and Shiotsuki Tōho. From July 14 to 27, the 1st Six Inkstones Society Workshop was held. Lecturers included Lü Tiezhou, Kuo Hsueh-hu, Chen Ching-hui, and Akiyama Shunsui, with special lecturers Kinoshita Seigai and Gobara Koto. Served as a juror for Eastern-style paintings at the 9th Taiten. In 1936, from February 23 to 29, the Taipei State Education Association held the fifth teacher-student painting exhibition at the Education Association Hall. The examiners include Xiangyuan Gutong, Mingdao Gong, and Shioyue Taofu. On March 2nd and 3rd, hosted by the Liuyan Society, the Xiangyuan Ancient Tradition Farewell Exhibition was held at the Juyuan Department Store. On March 6, Lee Shih-chiao and Kuo Hsueh-hu saw her off after resigning from her position as the third-highest female teacher in Taipei and returning to Japan.

Film and television works

In the 2016 TV series " Purple Daocheng ", she was played by Katsuki Baba.

Further reading

• Wang Xiu-hsiung, "Seminar on Art Thoughts of the Republic of China," <The Development and Style of Taiwan's Official Exhibitions during the Japanese Occupation ---Also Discussing the Mass Communication and Art Criticism Behind It>, Taipei City: Taipei Fine Arts Museum, First edition, pp. 287-330. (February 1992)
• Wang Xiuxiong, "A Preliminary Study on the Development of Taiwanese Art from the Ming Dynasty to the Restoration", "Proceedings of the First Academic Symposium on Taiwanese Native Culture (Part 1)", Taipei: National Taiwan Normal University College of Liberal Arts·Humanities Education Research Center, pp. 383- 402, first edition. (April 1995)
• Lin Baiting, "Painting Activities in Taiwan during the Japanese Occupation", "What is Taiwan? --- Essays on Modern Taiwanese Art and Cultural Identity", Taipei: Published by Lion Art Monthly, pp. 230-247. (September 1997)
• Liao Jinyuan, "The Original Ancient Tradition of Painting Hometown", "The Artist", Issue 294, Taipei: Artist Publishing House, pp. 288-297. (November 1999)
• Li Jinfa, "Research on the Development of Oriental Painting in Taiwan during the Japanese Occupation", Master's Thesis, Institute of Fine Arts, National Taiwan Normal University, pp. 92-93. (June 1992)