Hirayama's unfinished work unveiled

Hirayama's unfinished work unveiled

KAMAKURA, Japan - Michiko Hirayama (L), wife of the late Japanese painter Ikuo Hirayama, and their daughter Yayoi unveil flower paintings drawn by Hirayama at his atelier in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Feb. 11, 2010. Hirayama, who is best known for his works themed on the Silk Road and Buddhism, passed away on Dec. 2, 2009.

Hirayama's unfinished work unveiled

Hirayama's unfinished work unveiled

KAMAKURA, Japan - Michiko Hirayama (L), wife of the late Japanese painter Ikuo Hirayama, and their daughter Yayoi unveil Hirayama's unfinished work at his atelier in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Feb. 11, 2010. Hirayama, whose photo is being held by Michiko, passed away Dec. 2, 2009, and had been working on the painting from last July to September from his hospital bed.

Japanese painter Hirayama dies

Japanese painter Hirayama dies

TOKYO, Japan - This November 1998 file photo shows Japanese painter Ikuo Hirayama (R) and his wife Michiko at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo after he received the Order of Cultural Merit. Hirayama, a traditional-style Japanese painter known for his works with themes based on the Silk Road and Buddhism, died of a stroke Dec. 2, 2009.

Recipients of Order of Culture awards

Recipients of Order of Culture awards

Five recipients of this year's Order of Culture awards and their spouses pose for camera Nov. 3 after receiving the medals from Emperor Akihito. Front row, from left to right: artist Ikuo Hirayama, calligrapher Santo Murakami, historian Tatsuro Yamamoto, architect Yoshinobu Ashihara and immunologist Tadamitsu Kishimoto. Back row, from left to right: Mrs. Michiko Hirayama, Mrs. Hatsuko Ashihara and Mrs. Chizuko Kishimoto. The five received the awards in a ceremony held at the Imperial Palace.

Japanese painter Hirayama dies

Japanese painter Hirayama dies

TOKYO, Japan - This November 1998 file photo shows Japanese painter Ikuo Hirayama (R) and his wife Michiko at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo after he received the Order of Cultural Merit. Hirayama, a traditional-style Japanese painter known for his works with themes based on the Silk Road and Buddhism, died of a stroke Dec. 2, 2009. (Kyodo)

Hirayama's unfinished work unveiled

Hirayama's unfinished work unveiled

KAMAKURA, Japan - Michiko Hirayama (L), wife of the late Japanese painter Ikuo Hirayama, and their daughter Yayoi unveil Hirayama's unfinished work at his atelier in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Feb. 11, 2010. Hirayama, whose photo is being held by Michiko, passed away Dec. 2, 2009, and had been working on the painting from last July to September from his hospital bed. (Kyodo)

Hirayama's unfinished work unveiled

Hirayama's unfinished work unveiled

KAMAKURA, Japan - Michiko Hirayama (L), wife of the late Japanese painter Ikuo Hirayama, and their daughter Yayoi unveil flower paintings drawn by Hirayama at his atelier in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Feb. 11, 2010. Hirayama, who is best known for his works themed on the Silk Road and Buddhism, passed away on Dec. 2, 2009. (Kyodo)

Recipients of Order of Culture awards

Recipients of Order of Culture awards

Five recipients of this year's Order of Culture awards and their spouses pose for camera Nov. 3 after receiving the medals from Emperor Akihito. Front row, from left to right: artist Ikuo Hirayama, calligrapher Santo Murakami, historian Tatsuro Yamamoto, architect Yoshinobu Ashihara and immunologist Tadamitsu Kishimoto. Back row, from left to right: Mrs. Michiko Hirayama, Mrs. Hatsuko Ashihara and Mrs. Chizuko Kishimoto. The five received the awards in a ceremony held at the Imperial Palace. ==Kyodo