- Foreword
- Homage to Shuzo Takiguchi
Kazuhiko Satani’s Homage to Shuzo Takiguchi
In 1973, at the age of 45, Kazuhiko Satani quit his job at a bank and began working at Minami Gallery, a pioneering force in contemporary art at the time. It was at this time that he began keeping a diary, and he continued almost without missing a day until he fell ill in 2008. His diary entries noted the day’s weather, people he had met and spoken with, and his thoughts, covering both public and private matters.
As an employee of Minami Gallery, Kazuhiko Satani became friendly with Shuzo Takiguchi, a man he had admired for many years. In his diary Kazuhiko unhesitatingly referred to Shuzo Takiguchi with the honorific sensei, putting him in a small group of Kazuhiko’s respected elders along with Hisashi Nakayama (art enthusiast and valued advisor whom he got to know during his days at Minami Gallery) and Ekizo Fujibayashi (Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan). In July 1981, two years after Takiguchi’s death, Kazuhiko launched a series of exhibitions in homage to Shuzo Takiguchi, which became a lifelong project. The Exhibition in Homage to Shuzo Takiguchi was held 28 times, up until 2006.
Shuzo Takiguchi and Me
Interactions with Shuzo Takiguchi: Excerpts from the Diaries of Kazuhiko Satani
The following are excerpts from Kazuhiko Satani’s diaries, from his first encounter with Shuzo Takiguchi until the final farewell.
After Kazuhiko Satani quit his job at a bank and began working at Minami Gallery in 1973, at the age of 45, he began keeping a diary. The diary contains vivid descriptions of his interactions with Shuzo Takiguchi, who he had greatly admired, since he started work at Minami Gallery.
When he opened Satani Gallery in 1978, the inaugural exhibition was a two-person show of works by two Surrealists, Max Ernst and Yves Tanguy. While the exhibition was on view, a hand-written poem by Shuzo Takiguchi arrived at the gallery in Kyobashi, Tokyo. It was a seven-line acrostic, the first letters of each line spelling out the given names of the two artists, MAX and YVES. (Diary, Sept. 14, 1978)
Shuzo Takiguchi died in 1979, the year after Kazuhiko opened the Satani Gallery. In his diary (July 2, 1979), Kazuhiko wrote of his resolution to hold an exhibition as an homage to Shuzo Takiguchi. In July 1981, marking the anniversary of Takiguchi’s death, he organized an exhibition, Material Glance, of poems and drawings by Shuzo Takiguchi and Antoni Tàpies. This was the first of a series of exhibitions in Homage to Shuzo Takiguchi that was to become a lifelong project for Kazuhiko, and led to a good relationship with Genpei Akasegawa, Shusaku Arakawa, Kazuko Enomoto, Hideko Fukushima, members of the Jikken Kobo group, Hideo Kaito, Mitsuo Kano, Yutaka Matsuzawa, Makoto Ooka, Katsuhiro Yamaguchi and others, with the event subsequently held 28 times up until 2006.
*Omitted sections of abridged diary entries are indicated with (…)
December 27, 1973 (Thu.), clear
Shuzo Takiguchi came to the gallery[editor's note: Minami Gallery]. Received his poetry titled A souvenir or not of Philadelphia.
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January 19, 1974 (Sat.), clear
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Shuzo Takiguchi came to the gallery.
Ate at Uzura. Mr. Hideo Kaito and Mr. Takahiko Shirakura joined me.
(...)
Saw Mr. Takiguchi home, and stayed there for about 30 minutes. It’s in Shimo-Ochiai, a marvelous place full of books and works by Fontana, Michaux, Miró, Tomatsu, Toneyama, Arakawa, Matta, Onosato, Kano and many more, and posters (Homage to Takiguchi). Had brandy, nutmeg [editor's note: olives?] from his garden, smoked cheese. It was a truly enjoyable time.
February 13 (Wed.), clear
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Mr. Takiguchi came to the gallery. He brought a poster of the Duchamp exhibition in Philadelphia.
February 22 (Fri.), cloudy, strong wind
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Mr. Takiguchi came to the gallery. We looked at 30 old photos sent by Arakawa. We went with Mr. Shirakura and Mr. Inoue to Uzura and Gastro [editor's note: Bar Gastro in Ginza]. There we were joined by Mr. Shimizu [editor’s note: Kusuo Shimizu of Minami Gallery], Sam [editor’s note: Sam Francis], Mr. Domoto [editor’s note: Hisao Domoto], Mr. Iida, and German museum curator Mr. Harten. Saw Takiguchi-sensei off and returned home at 11:30 pm.
April 2 (Tue.), clear
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Mr. Takiguchi came to the gallery. He showed me a book of photographs by Richard Hamilton.
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June 20 (Thu.), clear cloudy
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Drank with Mr. Takiguchi and Mr. Shirakura at Uzura.
Mr. Takiguchi is such a charming old gentleman. I hope he will be in better spirits. (...)
July 17 (Wed.), cloudy
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Shuzo Takiguchi came to the gallery.
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February 3, 1975 (Mon.), clear
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On the way home, stopped by Takiguchi-sensei’s house and dropped off some small sea bream and fresh shiitake mushrooms. Met Mr. and Mrs. Takiguchi at the door and did my best to cheer them up. Spring will soon be here.
(...)
March 28, 1975 (Fri.), clear
Shuzo Takiguchi came to the gallery. We talked for a while and had dinner with Mr. Shirakura at Uzura. Afterward I saw Mr. Takiguchi home. He is feeling somewhat better.
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May 2 (Fri.), clear
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Mr. Takiguchi came to the gallery. Delighted that he seems to be doing better.
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May 6 (Tue.), rainy morning, clear afternoon
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Visited Shuzo Takiguchi on my own, stayed for about an hour and a half. Let him know that Mr. Morimoto and I would like decalcomania. Talked about taste in pictures, Gendaishi Techo magazine’s Shuzo Takiguchi issue, poetry collection. Interestingly, he said he did not want to publish his works in the form of a poetry collection, as it includes prose and many other things as well as poetry. He says he wants to publish these things as they are. Seems to be in good health, but not the highest of spirits. (...)
June 21, 1975 (Sat.), cloudy
(...)
Shuzo Takiguchi came to the gallery. Spoke about Ernst.
We went together to the Iena bookstore, I bought a German edition of Ernst’s Collagen.
Went to pub, brought Tudor along and spoke with him. We had winter squash, melon with uncured ham, sardines, liver and shiitake mushrooms, Takiguchi-sensei was pleased. Shook hands several times. Drove him home and then came home at 10 pm.
June 30, 1975 (Mon.), cloudy
(...)
Takiguchi-sensei called to say the decalcomania is finished. There are two (he says one for me)
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July 3, 1975 (Thu.), clear, cloudy / rainy
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Called Takiguchi-sensei. He has a cold. Mrs. Takiguchi answered the phone.
July 8, 1975 (Tue.), clear
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Visited Takiguchi-sensei and spent two hours. Received the two decalcomania I had asked for, one for me, the other I had trouble pricing, but decided on 150,000 yen. But I intend to own this one as well. It’s an excellent work.
July 9, 1975 (Wed.), cloudy / clear
Sent a thank-you note to Takiguchi-sensei.
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July 23, 1975 (Wed.), clear
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Spent one hour visiting Takiguchi-sensei with Mr. Kaneko. Paid him for decalcomania (150,000 yen).
September 12, 1975 (Fri.), clear
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Shuzo Takiguchi came to the gallery. Accompanied him to his home, and returned home at 8:30 pm.
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February 22, 1976 (Sun.), cloudy, rain
In the morning, worked on text on Sam Francis.
In the afternoon, visited Takiguchi-sensei’s home, and he agreed to let me reproduce Sam’s cover for Yohaku-ni-Kaku (Writing in the Margins) for the text on Sam. Stayed from 2:00 to a bit before 5:00 p.m. Spoke about poetry collections, collaborating with Tàpies and Miró, and other things.
In the evening, text on Sam almost finished.
When Takiguchi-sensei closes one eye, it’s his right eye, the same as me.
March 6, 1976 (Sat.), clear
(...) Shuzo Takiguchi came to the gallery. Spoke of Hans Richter’s death, their connection, other things. Returned decalcomania (cover of Genso kaigaron [Theory of Visionary Painting].
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April 13, 1976 (Tue.), cloudy, rain
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Mr. Takiguchi came to the gallery. I told him about buying Surrealism and Painting, Miró, Dali. Surrealism and Painting. He said it must have been expensive. Also said he intends to release a new translation soon.
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May 6, 1976 (Thu.), clear
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Mr. Takiguchi came to the gallery. Says that at the request of Werner Spies, he is going to compile and send a list of Ernst’s works in Japan, and was preparing for this. There are surprisingly few.
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May 28, 1976 (Fri.), clear
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Mr. Takiguchi came to the gallery in the late afternoon. Spoke about his trouble with the threat of eviction, the Toyama Prefecture museum, the old days, and about Tatsuji Miyoshi. Drank at Satono and talked for a long time. I was happy to see him eating a lot. Came home at 10:00 pm. (...)
September 24, 1976 (Fri.), sunny
(...)
Mr. Takiguchi came to the gallery. Heibonsha is going to publish the collection of prints and poems with Miró. (...)
November 30, 1976 (Tue.), clear [editor’s note: Final day of Natsuyuki Nakanishi exhibition at Minami Gallery]
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Takiguchi-sensei and his wife came to the gallery (...)
December 18, 1976 (Sat.), clear
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Mr. Takiguchi came to the gallery (...)
February 14, 1977 (Mon.), cloudy / rain
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Mr. Takiguchi came to the gallery, saw him for the first time in a long while, but he seemed to be doing very well.
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March 26, 1977 (Tue.), clear
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Last day of Ay-O show. A lot of visitors.
Mr. Takiguchi came to the gallery. We spoke for a while. Lee Ufan, Yusuke Nakahara, Mitsuo Kano, Tomio Miki dropped by.
(...)
April 22, 1977 (Fri.), clear
(...) Mr. Takiguchi came to the gallery. He’s not looking too well. I feel like I should – am obligated to – do something to support him. (...)
May 4, 1977 (Wed.), cloudy
(...)
Visited Takiguchi-sensei. Brought him some wakame seaweed from Maizuru and things I bought at Seibu in Ikebukuro: sweetfish, shrimp, whitefish, steamed pork dumplings, green asparagus, etc. On the phone he had said he had lower back pain and was in bad condition; I planned to stay for half an hour, but it stretched from 1:30 to just before 4:00. He was in good spirits, though. Spoke about the “Takiguchi wing” at the Museum of Modern Art, Toyamaーabout Mr. Tsutsumi and the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum,––his book with Miró to be published by Heibonsha, both of which were not going well and had him worried. His problem with his home was taken care of, though (Mr. Aoki of Nantenshi handled things with the owner on his behalf.) Talked about Masuo Ikeda. He showed me three or four prints he had found with a letter to Yozo Hamaguchi, print 15/30 from 1956. He said he prefers Hamaguchi’s doodle-like prints. He is concerned about Mrs. Takiguchi and about the future.
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July 21, 1977 (Thu.), clear
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Shuzo Takiguchi came to the gallery. Seems his condition is not the best.
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September 30, 1977 (Fri.), clear (editor’s note: his last day at Minami Gallery)
My last day. Organized documents for my successor. Had lunch at Yoshino with Mr. Yokota [editor’s note: Shigeru Yokota, of what is today Shigeru Yokota Gallery]. Meeting with Takiguchi-sensei set for 3:00 pm on October 11.
(...)
Came home at 10:00 pm. It’s a wrap. The next stage of my life begins tomorrow.
October 11, 1977 (Tue.), cloudy
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At 2:30, met Mr. Yokota at Nakano Station and visited Takiguchi-sensei’s home. Asked him to do an homage to Cornell. Stayed from 3:00 to before 5:00. I think Mr. Takiguchi looks like Cornell.
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November 19, 1977 (Sat.), clear
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Visited Mr. Yokota at Setsu; Takiguchi-sensei was coming to see Mr. Wakabayashi’s work after visiting Nantenshi Gallery and Minami Gallery, so I was asked to go to Minami Gallery and accompany him. Met Mr. Aoki of Nantenshi Gallery. Takiguchi-sensei came with his wife.
(...)
January 20, 1978 (Fri.), clear
Chartered a taxi from Suginami Kotsu and left home at 10:00. Brought Takiguchi-sensei some small sea bream. Only spoke at the entrance. Takiguchi-sensei looked better than I expected. (...)
February 14, 1978 (Tue.), cloudy
(...) To Setsu at 2:00. Saw Cornell works with Takiguchi-sensei. It was a wonderful time. I’m sure I’ll never forget it as long as I live. (...)
April 4, 1978 (Tue.), clear [editor’s note: he had opened Satani Gallery in Kyobashi in March]
(...) Mr. Takiguchi came to my gallery. As usual, Mr. Takiguchi looked at the exhibition very carefully, and we talked s for a while. He stayed for about an hour and a half. (...) He gave me a bottle of bourbon as a congratulatory gift.
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August 20, 1978 (Sun.), clear
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Visited Takiguchi-sensei at home in the afternoon. Asked Teiko to drive. Stayed for two-and-a-half hours. It was interesting to hear about Jasper Johns. Also looked at his old drawings: a collection of drawings titled Oboro Onboro, etc.
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September 14, 1978 (Thu.), cloudy, occasional rain [editor’s note: Satani Gallery’s first special exhibition, a two-person show of prints by Max Ernst and Yves Tanguy, was on view from September 11-30, 1978]
(...)
The biggest event of the day was the arrival by express mail of a congratulatory poem by Takiguchi-sensei: a three- and four-line poem in rhyming French, which was an acrostic, the first letters of each line spelling out MAX and YVES, and a Japanese translation of the poem. How marvelous! I could not ask for a finer gift. I will frame it as soon as possible. (...)
September 22, 1978 (Fri.), clear
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Shuzo Takiguchi came to the gallery. Was very happy to see him. Spoke for about an hour about Ernst, Duchamp, etc.
Drove him home afterward. During the ride, we talked about Sam, Tono, and the Toyama Museum. Came home at 9:00 pm.
(...)
October 31, 1978 (Sat.), cloudy
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Shuzo Takiguchi came to the gallery, stayed for about an hour. His physical condition is shaky. However, when I tried to assist him, he assured me he was fine. I was glad to see that he seemed to be enjoying himself. (...)
November 6, 1978, sunny
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Went to Nantenshi Gallery to see the exhibition of Mr. Takiguchi and Miró, greeted Mr. Takiguchi.
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November 9, 1978 (Thu.), clear
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Teiko and I stopped by Nantenshi Gallery met Takiguchi-sensei and his wife.
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December 10, 1978 (Sun.), cloudy, occasional rain
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In the afternoon, Masako and I brought winter gifts to Takiguchi-sensei’s home (cardigans for him and his wife). He had a guest over, and we only saw Mrs. Takiguchi. (...)
February 28, 1979 (Wed.), clear
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Got a call from Takiguchi-sensei. Said he had been unable to see the exhibition.
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March 25, 1979 (Sun.), clear [editor’s note: Kusuo Shimizu had died on March 20]
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Visited Takiguchi-sensei in the afternoon,stayed from 1:15 to 4:30. (...)
He seems to be a bit ill at ease and apprehensive. In the near future I will get together some geld and buy something from him. One of his decalcomania. Within the next couple of days.
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March 27, 1979 (Tue.), clear
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On the way home, I stopped by Takiguchi-sensei’s house and tried to give him 500,000 yen, but he got very angry. This was completely unexpected, and I was very upset. I was so disappointed that I was unable to communicate my feelings to him that I cried. (...) When he got angry for no reason I could understand, and did not accept my feelings, I couldn’t help crying. Came home at 10 pm (...)
April 5, 1979 (Thu.), clear
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Received a letter (…) from Takiguchi-sensei.
July 1, 1979 (Sun.), clear
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After 10pm, got a call from Mr. Tanabe at Heibonsha.
He said Takiguchi-sensei had died at 3pm. I was absolutely stunned. Teiko and I immediately drove to Takiguchi-sensei’s home to offer condolences. On the way, we met Makoto Ooka and Yamada (publisher). They said they must think about having a memorial service, and I agreed. Met his widow, Ayako. Toru Takemitsu was there.
She said he had been in Kawai Hospital with pulmonary edema. According to Mr. Ooka, Mrs. Takiguchi had not slept for a week, but she looked surprisingly strong.
His casket was in the study. When I put my hand on it, tears came to my eyes. Apparently there will be no funeral or farewell ceremony.
I came home before midnight. What a sad day. This is the end of an era.
July 2, 1979 (Mon.), clear, turning to rain
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Went to Nantenshi Gallery to talk with Mr. Aoki about Mr. Takiguchi’s funeral. Mr. Fuma came to the gallery. I want to hold an “Homage to Shuzo Takiguchi” exhibition
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Attended Takiguchi-sensei’s wake. Mr. Ooka says there will be no memorial ceremony, but there will be something else instead in September.
The guys from Heibonsha, Bijutsu Shuppan, and Geishin were there. I left after about an hour.
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July 3, 1979 (Tue.), cloudy
Before 11:00, arrived at Takiguchi-sensei’s house. After 11:00, people began paying their final respects. Greeted his widow Ayako. I was relieved that she looked better than expected. In the garden, I stood for about an hour looking at Takiguchi-sensei’s study––his casket was there, buried in chrysanthemums. I saw his death mask at the farewell ceremony. He looked somewhat in pain, not at peace. The casket was carried out at noon. I can’t say the attendees were numerous. Hideko Fukushima broke down crying.
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July 4, 1979 (Wed.), clear
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To the gallery at 10:30. Placed a photo of Takiguchi-sensei (taken by Mr. Uchida) in a frame and affixed a black ribbon. Placed it near the MAX, YVES poem.
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