臺南美術史

Takahashi Kiyoshi, Tainan in September, 1927, the 1st Taiten
Source: Catalogue of the 1st Taiten

Tainan in September by Takahashi Kiyoshi (years of birth and death unknown) was selected into the 1st Taiten (Taiwan Art Exhibition) in 1927. According to Taiwan Nichi Nichi Shinpo (Taiwan Daily News) of 1927, Takahashi was the director of the Tainan Branch of Taiwan Warehouse Co., Ltd. (臺灣倉庫會社), and was a member of the “Nankosha” (南光會, literally translated as “Southern Light Society”) comprising Japanese Western-style painters. His works had been successively selected into the Taiten, from the 1st to the 4th iterations. Delineated from an overlooking angle, this painting features a street block somewhere in Tainan. Houses showing straight, vertical lines are depicted in great number. Meanwhile, these houses embody the Japanese architectural style of “kirizuma-zukuri” (gabbled roof), which was popular at the time due to Taiwan’s moist, wet climate. At the center of the image, the utility poles lining along the street were part of the modernization during the period of Japanese rule. Overall, the work exudes a serene, peaceful feeling.

References
Lee, Shu-Pei. “A Study of Landscapes of Tainan in the Catalogues of the Taiten and the Futen during the Period of Japanese Rule.” The 2022 NCAF Visual Arts Grant for Study and Research – 2nd Phase, 2023.
Taiwan Nichi Nichi Shinpo (Taiwan Daily News). “New Comers’ First Step of Drawing the Island of Rakuyo—The Group of Nankosha in Tainan.” Taiwan Nichi Nichi Shinpo (Taiwan Daily News), 1927.9.26 (page 3).
Mata Taiwan. “Japanese-style Architecture in Taiwan: Types of Roofs and Roof Tiles—Taiwan Code．An Encyclopedia of Architecture.” Spatial Native Language Foundation of Arts and Culture. https://kjmu.org.tw/台灣日式屋瓦類型/#:~:text=台灣日式建築的屋瓦,可以從位置來認識%E3%80%82 (viewed on 2024.1.22)
Liu, Chi-Yu. Tainan in September. Missing Pieces – Taifuten Historical Archives. https://taifuten.com/oblect/九月的臺南/#squelch-taas-toggle-shortcode-content-2 (viewed on 2024.1.22)