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	THE LITERARY CRITIC KOBAYASHI HIDEO was born in Tokyo in 1902, and was influenced by French symbolist poets and the novelist Shiga Naoya (1883-1971) in his formative literary years. After graduating from the French Literature Department of Tokyo University, Kobayashi won second place in a contest, sponsored by Kaizô magazine, for his critical essay, “Samazama naru Ishô” (All Manner of Design), in 1929, thereby opening his literary career. In 1967, he received the Order of Culture and was recognized as the founder of modern criticism in Japan. He was also known for his prowess in art and philosophy. His major works include The Life of Dostoevsky, Modern Paintings, Van Gogh’s Letters, Motoori Nobunaga, Mujô to iu koto (On Transience), and Watashi no jinseikan (My Life View). This exhibition commemorates 100 years since the birth of Kobayashi Hideo, Japan’s most preeminent literary critic of the 20th century and reexamines his view of knowledge and art. Unlike past retrospectives on literary figures, this exhibition delves into the question of Kobayashi’s aesthetics by looking at the paintings and antiques from his collection that inspired him and that were the objects of his critique, through his lifework, The Heart in Search of Beauty.
		Small Lacquered Box with Carved Flower by Kuroda Tatsuaki (1904-82)
		Hanging Votive with Buddha
		Kamakura period (1185-1333) (Last acquisition made by Kobayashi)

Twilight at Cannes by Umehara Ryûzaburô (1888-1986) 1985

Kohiki Sake Bottle, Named ”Suiko” Early Yi Dynasty Formerly in the Asakawa Noritaka Collection

●Quotes from The Heart in Search of Beauty Put in an extreme way, it is a mistake to think about art or music as understanding or not understanding. Think about how we move our eyes in our daily lives. Especially if we consider how often we aimlessly look at the shape or color of an object or its harmonized beauty; we realize that we seldom move our eyes to look at something just for the sake of looking at it. When knowledge and scholarship are as widespread and respected as they are today, people begin to forget their ability to feel without realizing it. ―Kobayashi Hideo

Karatsu Sake Cup with Grass Design Momoyama period (1573-1615)

Two Fruits by Paul Cézanne (1839-1906) 1885 Kiyoharu Shirakaba Museum	Outskirt of an Old Town, or Kitchen by Geoges Rouault (1871-1958) 1937

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