Whitestone Ginza Main Gallery is pleased to announce the three-men’s exhibition "Deep into the Blue," featuring Aine Kinashi (1929-1986), Senkichiro Nasaka (1923-2014), and Katsuyoshi Inokuma (1954-2025), focusing on the profound expressive power of the color "blue".

The relationship between the Japanese people and "blue" (ao) runs deep, tracing back to the 6th century with the arrival of Buddhism and the Medicine Buddha of Lapis Lazuli Light (Yakushi Ruriko Nyorai). Ruri, or lapis lazuli, later adorned the treasures of the Shosoin Repository. The color ruri-iro (lapis lazuli blue) was celebrated in classical literature such as The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter and The Tale of Genji. Eventually, through indigo dyeing (aizome), the color became deeply woven into the daily life of samurai during the Warring States period and of townspeople in the Edo period. From the blue-and-white patterns of pottery to Hokusai’s ukiyo-e woodblock prints, the evolution of this hue into what would become globally recognized as "Japan Blue" contains a rich cultural history in itself.

The catalyst that truly refined the Japanese people’s delicate sensibility for color was the sumptuary laws (shashi-kinshi-rei) enacted on various fields during the Edo period. Because flamboyant colors were banned in clothing, ordinary townspeople expanded the limits of the permitted indigo shades as well as muted tones (browns and grays). This resulted in the maximum expansion of subtle variations known as the word Shiju-hatcha Hyaku-nezumi ("48 shades of brown and 100 shades of gray"). This era gave birth to the spirit of iki—a refined aesthetic that finds profound beauty and sophistication in the slightest differences.

Now, casting an eye on this exhibition;

Aine Kinashi delivers dynamic swells of blue reminiscent of the deep sea, sustained with a continuous rhythmic bass line.

Senkichiro Nasaka, who began his career in traditional Japanese painting before turning to Western-style oil painting at the age of 40, evokes diverse inner landscapes through multi-layered, richly colored matières.

Katsuyoshi Inokuma pursued to the full extent his unique "ultramarine blue," regarding it as “the color that resonates most deeply with the human soul”.

We cordially invite you to experience the modern version of “the lineage of blue”, represented exquisitely by these three great masters.

We look forward to welcoming you to the gallery during the height of summer in Tokyo.