Our society is materially affluent-perhaps too affluent. The spiritual facets of life are inclined to be neglected and human dignity to suffer as a result. Perhaps our greatest need today is for spiritual nourishment. One of the ways we can nourish and enrich our souls is, I believe, frequent contact with objects of beauty. The study, love and appreciation of art enhance our lives and acts as a driving force in developing a nation's culture. In my youth, I studied painting under Saburosuke Okada. Later, I developed an interest in Italian medieval art, introducing and explaining works of the schools of this period to the people of Japan. I have also supervised and edited many publica-tions on art. Now I am establishing a foundation to promote the fine arts, especially painting, and to help raise the standard of art in Japan by enabling more people to study and appreciate it. The Kajima Foundation for the Arts will promote art by providing financial assistance for research, publication of books of special merit, creation of works of special merit, and international exchange. In so doing, the Foundation seeks to contribute to Japan's cultural development and advancement. It will be most gratifying if the Foundation is able to assist the work of artists, critics, and scholars in Japan and abroad and, by facilitating greater public access to art, help increase the number of art lovers everywhere. March 4, 1982 THE KAJIMA FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS ON ESTABLISHING Ume Kajima
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