Featured Events in Tokyo in May 2025 (July Updated)

"MAM Collection 019: Perspective" focuses on the photographic expressions of three female artists from the Mori Art Museum Collection: Maiko Haruki, Mari Katayama, and Tomoko Yoneda. This exhibition introduces photographic works in which the image is completed through the viewer's involvement, rather than as a so-called recording medium. Maiko Haruki's series "either portrait or landscape" attempts to destabilize and liberate the viewer's perspective from the perspective of form, and also by incorporating the relationship between photography and abstract expression as a theme. Mari Katayama reverses the power relationship between image and viewer, challenging conventional traditional notions of diversity, normative values, and agency. Tomoko Yoneda's series "Between the Visible and the Invisible" expresses the interrelationship between the image on the surface and the narrative behind it.

With the explosive growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and the integration of virtual and real worlds, the latest cutting-edge technologies have quickly penetrated our daily lives. This tendency has become especially apparent since the COVID-19 pandemic, when many human activities shifted towards virtual space. Looking back, the progress of art and technology has run parallel to each other throughout the course of history, a phenomenon that is especially evident in the field of computer art and video art. While recent innovations in video game engines and AI offer unprecedented possibilities for artists, the advent of generative AI also has raised significant concerns. Such developments are now attracting considerable attention in various fields and industries, including the contemporary art world.

From the late 1960s to the 1970s, the "underground," commonly known as "angura," took the Japanese art world by storm, mainly in the urban space of Tokyo. The underground, which replaced the "avant-garde" as the gathering point of cutting-edge art, was imported to Japan from the United States through experimental films and spread to fields such as fine art, music, manga, design, theater, and dance, becoming a trend recognized by the general public in just a few years. However, because it was established through its interaction with the anti-establishment movement of the time, it disappeared in the early 1970s as the movement declined. Although it was a short-lived phenomenon, underground culture had a great impact on postwar Japanese society, and it can be said that it remains as a style to this day. In addition, by its very nature, underground culture focused on temporary "events" rather than physical "works," and placed importance on the "places" that welcomed its bearers. For this reason, the underground is seen as the atmosphere of the times, and its actual nature has yet to be clarified. "MAM Research 011: Tokyo Underground 1960s-1970s - A turning point in postwar Japanese culture" will display many materials, mainly ephemera (printed material intended for temporary use), that are suited to conveying the rise and fall of underground culture in Tokyo. Furthermore, by examining these materials, we will attempt to look in detail at the history of "underground," its ideas and those who carried it, as well as its spread and limitations.

Aubrey Beardsley (1872-1898), a painter who died at the age of 25. This British genius continued to paint highly sophisticated works, consisting of precise line drawings and bold black and white color planes, by candlelight. This exhibition, organized jointly with the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), traces the path of Beardsley, who caused a stir in Europe and the United States at the end of the 19th century. The exhibition will feature approximately 220 pieces of Beardsley's art, including his breakthrough work Morte d'Arthur (1893-94) by Malory, Salome (1894) by Wilde, which is also well known in Japan, and his later masterpiece Mademoiselle de Maupin (1897) by Gautier, as well as illustrations and rare hand-drawn sketches from his early to later years, as well as colored posters and contemporary decorations.

Joan Miró (1893-1983) was born in Catalonia, Spain in 1893. Along with his fellow countryman Pablo Picasso, he is considered one of the most outstanding artists of the 20th century. His unique style of painting, which depicts natural shapes such as the sun, stars, and moon with symbolic symbols, is also popular in Japan. Today, 40 years after Miró's death, his creative activities are once again receiving praise from the world. This exhibition, including the "Constellations" series, comprehensively introduces Miró's art, who continued to challenge various new expressions until he was 90 years old, by exhibiting paintings, ceramics, and sculptures that reflect each period from his early years to his later years. This exhibition is an unprecedented large-scale retrospective exhibition, and visitors can experience the essence of Miró's art through many selected masterpieces collected from all over the world.

The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo is pleased to present Hilma af Klint (tentative title) from March 4 to June 15, 2025. This will be the first major retrospective in Asia of Hilma af Klint (1862–1944), a pioneer of abstract painting. The painter from Sweden has been reevaluated in recent years as a creator of abstract paintings that preceded her contemporaries, such as Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian. For many years, her oeuvre of more than 1,000 works was known only to a very few people. As late as in the 1980s, several exhibitions began to introduce her works, and by the turn of the 21st century, her presence became international all at once. Her 2018 retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, the U.S., attracted 600,000 visitors, the largest attendance in the museum’s history. Including The Ten Largest (1907), a set of ten paintings over three meters high, all 140 works in this exhibition will travel to Japan for the first time. Centering on her representative accomplishment, The Paintings for the Temple, the exhibition will provide an overview of af Klint’s career, while introducing materials left by the artist and diverse sources of her inspiration, including the spiritualism and the women’s movements of her time.

Tokyo City View will hold the Tezuka Osamu "Phoenix" exhibition - the Phoenix is ​​a symbol of dynamic equilibrium (dotekiheikou) that resists the increase of entropy, i.e., cosmic life (cosmozone) - from Friday, March 7, 2025 to Sunday, May 25, 2025. Tezuka Osamu, who created many masterpieces, declared that the manga "Phoenix" was his life's work. It is a masterpiece long work that depicts the conflict of people who pursue the legendary bird "Phoenix", whose blood is said to grant eternal life to those who drink it. The magnificent worldview of this work, which alternates between the past and the future and freely expresses philosophical themes such as "life and death" and "reincarnation", continues to capture people's hearts even today. This exhibition will interpret the epic poem, which was written over a long period of more than 30 years, focusing on the 12 main chapters from "Dawn" to "Sun", which began in the magazine "COM". Now that 70 years have passed since the serialization of "Phoenix" began, biologist Shinichi Fukuoka will guide us as we interpret the story structure of "Phoenix" from a new perspective of bioscience and seek the answer to the question "What is life?" that Tezuka Osamu continued to express throughout his life.

Spring is a time when the warm sunlight begins to shine. It is an exciting season as flowers sprout. Of all the seasons, nothing lifts our spirits more than the blooming of cherry blossoms. Our museum will be holding an exhibition where we will bring together masterpieces of cherry blossoms, making you feel as if you are at a cherry blossom viewing party, even while staying in the museum.

In December 2024, a new craft collection was donated to our museum. It consists of approximately 150 pieces. Almost all of them are enamel pieces. "Emayu" may be an unfamiliar word. It is the French katakana spelling, and in English it is called enamel, and in Japan it is usually called Shippo. In other words, enamel refers to a craft in which a glassy glaze is baked onto a metal base. The donor is jewelry artist Mitsuo Kaji. This new "Kaji Collection," consisting of carefully selected enamel gems, will make its debut at this exhibition.

This exhibition will feature 45 paintings, crafts, and calligraphy featuring flowers, dating from the 11th century to the present day. In the exhilarating season of spring, you can enjoy the beauty and forms of flowers that are embodied in these works.

This exhibition combines 88 pieces from the collections of the San Diego Museum of Art and the National Museum of Western Art, and offers tips on how to enjoy the artworks. The 49 pieces on display from the San Diego Museum of Art, including world-renowned masterpieces by Giorgione and Sánchez Cotán, will all be shown in Japan for the first time. Come and discover your own "where to look" as you trace the history of Western art spanning 600 years from the Renaissance to the end of the 19th century.

The spring exhibition "How to Find Wonders: Science" will be held at Minato City Science Museum. Many mysteries are hidden in the everyday life that unfolds before our eyes. By changing your perspective, you may discover new things and encounter many "wonders". In this exhibition, you can experience new scientific discoveries and the fun and wonder of things by looking at ordinary things from a scientific point of view. To that end, this exhibition will introduce seven ways to find wonders. In the seven "Seven Ways to See" corners, we interweave videos to help you notice wonders in each corner, providing a place of interest and active learning for everyone, from children to adults. This time, we will introduce various "ways of seeing science" that add original elements of the Minato Science Museum to the NHK Educational TV "How to Find Wonders" exhibition. Furthermore, the program's commentary, accompanied by adorable illustrations by Shinsuke Yoshitake, makes science seem more accessible. Why not take this opportunity to visit the program?

This exhibition is set in the magnificent world of the anime "Chi. - About the Movement of the Earth" and features a wealth of knowledge, from historical research on the heliocentric theory to modern observation technology. With the "Heliocentric Theory Research Notes" handed out at the entrance to the venue in hand, visitors can take part in quizzes, while experiencing the experiential exhibits that faithfully reproduce famous scenes from the anime, powerful images, and photo spots that allow visitors to experience the world of the anime as it is. This is an exhibition where adults and children alike can enjoy exploring the universe in a fully immersive way.

Ancient DNA research involves deciphering minute traces of DNA remaining in the bones of ancient people excavated from ruins, and tracing the footsteps of humanity. In recent years, with the development of technology, it has made great strides, and it has become clear that the path that Homo sapiens walked was far more complicated than previously imagined. This exhibition uses ancient human bones and archaeological materials from all over Japan, as well as high-definition CG images of ancient human skulls, to convey the long path that the Japanese people have taken, as revealed by the latest research, and the message that the collective history has for the future.

In cooperation with the "Museum Spring Festival" held annually at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, the Marubeni Gallery will be holding a special exhibition of "The Beautiful Simonetta," the only tempera painting by Botticelli (Sandro Botticelli, 1444/1445-1510) in Japan, which is owned by Marubeni. The model for this painting was the beautiful Simonetta Vespucci (1453-1476), who died young and is said to have been the model for Botticelli's masterpieces "Primavera (Spring)" and "The Birth of Venus," and was also a symbol of "Spring in Florence" or "Spring of the Renaissance. "The year 2025 also marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Yashiro Yukio, who is known worldwide for his research on Botticelli. Around the same time, the Yamato Bunkakan Museum in Nara will hold a special exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of Yashiro Yukio's death. Furthermore, 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Tsuji Kunio, author of "The Coronation of Spring," a novel in which Simonetta appears. This exhibition will be held in response to these anniversaries. We hope that as many people as possible will take this opportunity to enjoy "The Beautiful Simonetta."

This exhibition focuses on publishers related to Katsushika Hokusai, a famous Ukiyo-e artist from the Edo period of Japan, exploring how they planned and promoted Hokusai's works, showcasing the masterpieces they brought to the world, and leading viewers to gain an in-depth understanding of the world of "producers" who supported the Ukiyo-e industry.

"Maybe Yoshitake Shinsuke Exhibition" opened in Tokyo in April 2022 and then toured all over Japan. This time, the exhibition will be "plenty expanded" with new large-scale experience exhibits and original exhibition goods, and will open on March 20th at CREATIVE MUSEUM TOKYO as "Maybe Yoshitake Shinsuke Exhibition Plenty Expanded Type"! Yoshitake Shinsuke, the author of the best-selling "Maybe Apple" (Bronze Shinsha), made his debut in 2013. Since then, in about 11 years, he has published 30 picture books and about 100 books including other writings and illustration work. He has gained wide support from children to adults. This exhibition is a unveiling of the huge number of sketches that Yoshitake has accumulated over the years in small notebooks, observing events around him. There are also plenty of idea sketches and original drawings that allow you to trace the process of creating a picture book. The exhibition will also feature Yoshitake's treasured collection, which has served as a source of inspiration, and allow visitors to take a peek inside Yoshitake's mind from various angles.

The present exhibition features artifacts related to Christianity in Japan from the early modern period. The religion was introduced to Japan in the mid-1500s by European missionaries, but it was outlawed at the beginning of the Edo period (1603–1868). On display are objects from the 1500s onwards, mainly those that had been stored at the Nagasaki Magistrate's Office in southern Japan. These include items that were confiscated from Christians all around Nagasaki, as well as images known as fumi-e, which were used by the Edo-period government to identify Christians for persecution.Additionally, this exhibition also introduces the research and conservation efforts that have been carried out on these artifacts in recent years. Along with scientific analyses of fumi-e, we have also improved upon the conservation measures and storage environments for rosaries and labels that display the names of the objects’ previous owners. By considering these religious objects of the time, we hope that you can also understand how we have approached the conservation of these artifacts.

This exhibition will introduce the methods and history of observing various natural phenomena, and how the observational data accumulated to date has shed light on the state and changes of the global environment, while also introducing how it has contributed greatly to disaster prevention and mitigation.

LOEWE's first major exhibition, "LOEWE Crafted World" will open in Tokyo in spring 2025. It will celebrate LOEWE's rich history, Spanish traditions and dedication to handcraft. 179 years of creativity and innovation. "LOEWE Crafted World" will showcase LOEWE's avant-garde approach to fashion and its craft culture that has been passed down through generations. The exhibition first opened in Shanghai in 2024 as a global traveling exhibition. In March 2025, "LOEWE Crafted World" will return to Harajuku, Tokyo. Japan was the first country where LOEWE opened a store outside of Europe, with the first store opening in 1973. Since then, LOEWE and Japan have had a rich cultural dialogue. Designed in collaboration with OMA, the architectural firm behind some of the most innovative architecture of the 21st century, the exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the iconic designs and cultural collaborations that have defined Loewe's evolution from its founding as a leatherworking workshop in Madrid in 1846 to its growth into one of the world's leading fashion brands. Filled with art and culture, the exhibition tells a story of the joy of making things by hand. Visitors can experience the sights and sounds of Spain, a front row seat to a Paris runway and spectacular interactive rooms that immerse them in the imaginative worlds that have inspired recent Loewe collections, including Studio Ghibli and Kyoto ceramicist Suna Fujita.

This exhibition is being held to mark the 40th anniversary of the opening of Shokokuji Jotenkaku Museum. It will showcase masterpieces from the Shokokuji School, including over 40 national treasures and important cultural properties, and will offer a glimpse into the world of beauty at Shokokuji and entrust it to the future.

While preparing for the exhibition "Anzelm Kifle: Solaris" at Nijo Castle in Kyoto, Kiefer was deeply attracted by the resonance between two paintings - "E.T.A. Homan no Tame" (2015-2024) and "er hexte eine Schlange ausdem Wasser" (2016). The pastoral scenery reflected on the calm water surface, and the paintings of the snake-themed sculptures use gold, ultramarine, ochre and soft white tones, which resonate with each other in the exhibition space filled with natural light. In Japanese culture, snakes represent a symbol of wisdom, wealth, change, rebirth, and renewal, and are also regarded as messengers of God. This year is also the Year of the Snake, which can be said to be the best year to exhibit these two masterpieces.

Obara Koson (1877-1945) was a flower and bird painter active from the end of the Meiji period to the early Showa period. His existence was forgotten in Japan for a while, but in recent years he has been attracting attention, with exhibitions being held in art museums all over the country.The Ota Memorial Museum of Art also held an Ohara Koson exhibition in February and March 2019, which proved more popular than expected. This year marks exactly 80 years since Koson passed away. This is the first time in six years that the museum will be showcasing Koson's flower and bird paintings.

Yohen Tenmoku is a treasure of Oriental ceramics. It was made in China during the Southern Song Dynasty in the 12th to 13th centuries, and only three pieces remain in the world, all of which have been passed down to Japan. What continues to fascinate many people is the enigmatic beauty of the iridescent glow that floats on the jet-black glaze. In addition to this mysterious glow, Yohen Tenmoku also hides many mysteries, such as its manufacturing method and transmission. This exhibition focuses on the theme of black colors in crafts, and introduces iron crafts called "kurogane" (black iron), such as swords and iron tsuba, as well as "jet-black" lacquerware. We will also trace the history of black pottery in China and Japan, and approach the various mysteries and secrets that Yohen Tenmoku hides based on the latest research findings.

Mitsuaki Iwago’s World “Cats” Travelogue is a long-running NHK BS Premium program relished by cat lovers all over Japan. This exhibition shows photographs taken in fifteen locations in Japan carefully selected from that program.With the natural climate of each location in the background, the lifestyle of cats and people living in various parts of Japan are introduced. The exhibits are all new works taken in recent years. Come and find your favorite shot.

Among the museum's collection, two short swords designated as national treasures, "Meibutsu Hyuga Masamune" and "Meibutsu Tokuzen'in Sadamune," as well as swords including seven Important Cultural Properties, and lacquerware mountings will be on display at once. Also on display will be armor used by Mitsui Takayasu, the Mitsui family's distant ancestor, a modern replica of the large armor that was handed down to Kasuga Taisha Shrine and destroyed in a fire, made by Miura Sukeichi, and paintings such as hanging scrolls depicting warriors, Shuten-doji picture scrolls, and the Twelve Battles picture scrolls, which are somewhat manga-like. The special exhibit will be the May dolls handed down by the Mitsui family that were made in modern times, and this will be the first time they will be on display together.

Among the modern Japanese paintings in the Nezu Museum, there are three national treasures and important cultural properties, namely Ogata Kōrin's national treasure "Swallow Flower Screen", Maruyama Okyo's "Widder Flowers Screen" and Suzuki Kiichi's "Summer and Autumn Stream Screen". These six-curve and one-pair gold screens shine in the museum's collection, showing their unique artistic charm. This exhibition is centered on these three screens and is divided into three chapters. With other related works, it deeply explores the evolution of the styles of the three artists Kōrin, Okyo and Kiichi and their mutual influence, presenting the essence of modern Japanese painting.

The techniques of woodblock printing that flourished in the Edo period and Meiji era developed into a modernized artform called Shin-hanga in 1915. Shin-hanga builds on the tradition of collaborative work among the publisher, carver, printer, and designer, while also reflecting modern, eclectic tastes. Landscapes by Kawase Hasui (1883–1957) and Yoshida Hiroshi (1876–1950) as well as images of beauties by Hashiguchi Goyō (1880–1921) and Itō Shinsui (1898–1972) captivated Japanese people of Taishō and Shōwa eras and are still widely admired around the world. In conjunction with the special exhibitions, Tsutaya Jūzaburō: Creative Visionary of Edo andUkiyo-ein Play, this exhibition explores the variety and depth of woodblock printing and its expressive forms.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of architect Kazuo Shinohara, TOTO Gallery Ma will be holding the exhibition "Kazuo Shinohara: Carving Eternity into Space - 100 Questions on the 100th Anniversary of His Birth." Kazuo Shinohara (1925-2006) studied under Kiyoshi Seike (1918-2005) at the Tokyo Institute of Technology (now Tokyo University of Science), and after graduating he taught at the university as a professor architect. After retiring he set up the Shinohara Atelier in his own home and studio, House in Yokohama (1985), where he continued to present designs and discourses. Many architects who were influenced by or mentored by Shinohara are currently active at the forefront of the architectural world, including a group of architects known as the "Shinohara School," including Kazunari Sakamoto, Toyo Ito, and Itsuko Hasegawa.

This exhibition is hosted by the Japan Typeface Association. From a total of 2,045 works collected from Japan and abroad, high-scoring award-winning works including the Grand Prize, Student Award, and Best Works are selected for centralized display to present the latest style of font design. Welcome to come and experience the charm of "current" font design. The Japan Typeface Association will also hold a special lecture, inviting the designer of this year's award-winning work "From the Rock - Mr. Hakamada's Prison Letters" (Asahi Shimbun Editorial Bureau Design Department) to come to the scene and share the story behind the design.