A wash painting exhibition of Sekido Unemura, a well-known Japanese wash painter, opened Monday at the China National Art Gallery.

The three-day exhibition is co-sponsored by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Sekido Suibokuga, a Japanese wash painters' association headed by Sekido Unemura.

On display are 50 paintings by Unemura, including his paintings on China's scenic spots and the one which won him the top prize in Japan awarded by the prime minister.

The painter has made more than 30 visits to China, touring big cities and places of interests to paint the beauty of China.

At the opening, Unemura said he felt honored to hold an exhibition in the hometown of wash painting. China has so many top class wash paintings and artists, and the mountains and waters here have inspired him a lot, he said.

He said he would try his best to promote exchanges between Chinese and Japanese artists.

According to him, quite a few people in Japan have strong interest in wash painting, and some middle schools and colleges are planning to open wash painting classes.

(Xinhua News Agency 09/17/2001)