Exhibition
Schedule
2025
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The Rise of Graphic Design & Illustration in Japan 1900s―1930s
Taisho lmagerie
2025.07.12（Sat）- 08.31（Sun）
Current Exhibition
Discover the roots of contemporary Japanese popular culture through groundbreaking printed media produced from the late Meiji through early Shōwa periods. The Taishō period (1912-1926) in particular witnessed a flourishing publishing industry, giving birth to distinctive aesthetic designs and illustrations that beautifully merged Western art, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco styles with Japanese traditions.
This exhibition presents approximately 400 carefully selected items from the collection of Yamada Toshiyuki, who passionately gathered modern books and prints where literature, art, and music intermingle. Explore the fleeting yet vast imagery of the Taishō period—unforgettable visual memories that captivated the public—through works of prominent artists including Fujishima Takeji, Sugiura Hisui, and Takehisa Yumeji, while delving into various designs that mirror this transformative era. -
Maurice Utrillo
2025.09.20（Sat）- 12.14（Sun）
Introducing of the exhibition
Maurice Utrillo (1883-1955) is known for depicting the cityscapes of early 20th-century Paris, leaving behind numerous oil paintings of Montmartre where he was born and raised, as well as suburban landscapes where he lived. His artistic journey was shaped by complex relationships with his family, including his mother Suzanne Valadon (1865-1938), and his struggle with alcoholism since childhood, all contributing to his unique artistic vision. Despite his turbulent life, this École de Paris painter who dominated the art world in the first half of the 20th century continues to enjoy enduring popularity, particularly in Japan.
This exhibition, organized in cooperation with Musée National d'Art Moderne (MNAM), presents a comprehensive view of Utrillo’s oeuvre through approximately 70 oil paintings, including “Toits à a Montmagny” (circa 1906-07) and “Le Lapin Agile” (1910) from the MNAM collection, along with about 10 archival items provided by the Association Maurice Utrillo. Visitors will journey through his “Montmagny Period” when he took up painting as part of his alcoholism treatment, his pinnacle “White Period” where he captured the poetic essence of white walls using various materials, and his “Color Period” characterized by vibrant hues. We hope this exhibition offers a chance to appreciate Utrillo’s unique style and the poetic landscapes he cherished.
2026
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Shinjuku: the City of Modern Art (tentative)
2026.01.10（Sat）- 02.15（Sun）
Introducing of the exhibition
A discussion of the history of modern Japanese art would not be complete without mention of Tokyo's Shinjuku neighborhood. Up-and-coming artists began to gather in Shinjuku in the late Meiji period, and the artists who lived there in turn attracted even more artists to the area. This influx of artists turned Shinjuku into a major center of modern art. This exhibition represents the first attempt by an art museum in Shinjuku to trace the trajectory of artists associated with the neighborhood, featuring works created over the course of roughly half a century by artists like Nakamura Tsune, Saeki Yuzo, Matsumoto Shunsuke, and Miyawaki Aiko.
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FACE2026
2026.03.07（Sat）- 03.29（Sun）
Introducing of the exhibition
This will be the 14th exhibition of works submitted for this contemporary painting competition. As a "gateway to success for new and emerging artists regardless of age or affiliation", the exhibition will feature works selected from submissions nationwide. An Audience Award will also be presented based on votes submitted by exhibition visitors. This time, we will also concurrently hold a special exhibition featuring new and recent works by artists who won grand prix and excellence awards at the previous exhibition. Enjoy works that capture the sensibilities of our times through a variety of techniques and motifs.