The program can be attended in person at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, DC, or online via livestream.
An island nation with heavy rainfall and a volatile climate, Japan has long had a complex relationship with water, as a source of its sustenance, but at times a threatening force. In both Shinto and Buddhism, water is associated with purification and contemplation and can symbolize renewal, impermanence, and the continuous flow of life. Waterfalls, in particular, have been revered as sacred places where nature’s power can be experienced directly and lead to spiritual transformation. In Japan’s artistic traditions, Kano School painters depicted Japan’s rivers and waterfalls in ink on white paper, and later, artists such as Katsushika Hokusai, best known for his print The Great Wave off Kanagawa, also designed a series of woodblock prints depicting Japan’s most renowned waterfalls. These artists helped establish water as a powerful and enduring motif in Japanese visual culture—one that continues to inspire contemporary artists today.
This cultural tradition forms the backdrop for the work of internationally acclaimed painter Hiroshi Senju, who will speak in person at the opening program for Into the Waters with Senju and Bingyi: Two Contemporary Paintings, an exhibition presented at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, DC.
Known worldwide for his luminous waterfall paintings, Senju translates the movement and stillness of cascading water into shimmering compositions created with mineral-based pigments—a technique rooted in centuries-old Japanese painting traditions. His works appear in major museum collections and public spaces around the world, including Haneda Airport, the Embassy of the United States in Tokyo, the sacred Buddhist complex of Mount Kōya, and the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC. For decades, Senju has traveled extensively to study waterfalls in nature, distilling their essence into works that balance power, tranquility, and light.
During this special artist talk, Senju will share insights into his creative process, his global research on waterfalls, and the philosophy behind his iconic imagery. Following the lecture, Frank Feltens, Curator of Japanese Art at the museum, will join Senju for a conversation about the exhibition and its themes, followed by an audience Q&A.
To celebrate the exhibition opening, the museum’s galleries will remain open until 6:30 p.m., giving in-person attendees the opportunity to view the exhibition before the artist talk begins.
About the Speaker
Photo by Robert Harrell
Hiroshi Senju
Hiroshi Senju is known for his ethereal waterfall paintings, which can be found in art collections globally and in public spaces like Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, the US Embassy in Tokyo, the Buddhist monastery on Mount Kōya, and the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC. He has traveled around the world to study waterfalls and distills their essence using mineral-based pigments that have been a staple of Japanese painting for centuries.
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