Latest Events in Chikugo(July Updated)

This is an exhibition of works by Nodagiri, an illustrator living in Chikugo City who draws cute and heartwarming vegetable characters. On Saturday, July 26th, there will be workshops on vegetable characters and picture book readings.

It is said to have a history of about 700 years and is a fire festival on Midsummer Eve. Rapeseed oil is poured into scallops and 1,000 lanterns made of wicks are placed in the shape of tower gates, torii, sunrises, sailboats, etc. to pray for a good harvest and the safety of the family. There will also be a fireworks display from 20:00.

Since ancient times, animals have been familiar to humans, and their appearance has been depicted in various forms. As far back as prehistoric times, they have been depicted in cave and tomb murals. In modern and contemporary paintings and sculptures, animals have been depicted in a wide variety of ways, sometimes cute and sometimes ferocious, as close companions to humans or as threats. Furthermore, animals that are considered to bring good luck are still filled with people's wishes as symbols of health and fertility. This exhibition brings together works that use such animals as a motif. In addition to modern Western-style paintings by artists from Chikugo, Japanese paintings and dyed textiles in which animals appear as lucky charms, and soothing sculptures, we will also introduce painting materials from the Ogata family, painters who served the Kuroda family of the Fukuoka domain for generations, and ancient Kyushu ceramics from the Kuga Collection. Why not spend some time surrounded by animals depicted in various forms? Enjoy the appearance of animals, who are familiar friends who have been close to people's lives.

The Love Knot Festival is a unique festival held at the Koiki Shrine in Chikugo City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Koiki Shrine is the only shrine in Japan named after "Love", so it attracts many people who pray for smooth love to come and worship.