Masterpiece Exhibition: "Colorful Living Things: Ryushi Kawabata's Observations and Imagination"

This exhibition features the works of Japanese painter Kawabata Ryushi (1885–1966), focusing on the theme of living creatures. From 1920 until his death in 1966, Ryushi lived on the grounds of Ryushi Park, located across from the current Ryushi Memorial Museum, making it his final home. Many different creatures lived in Ryushi's home. "Risshu" (Beginning of Autumn) (1932) is a work depicting his pet dog in the garden, and one can imagine the dog's gaze is directed at its owner, Ryushi, expressing the close and affectionate daily life he shared with his beloved dog. In "Hyakugizu" (One Hundred Toads) (1963), he uses frogs living around the "Bakudan Sangei Pond" in Ryushi Park as his subject, and the painting depicts multiple frogs from various angles, such as from the front, the side, or lying on their backs.
　While Ryuko depicted familiar creatures, she also used living things to represent imaginary worlds and natural phenomena. In "Dream" (1951), inspired by the investigation of the mummy in the Konjikido Hall of Chuson-ji Temple, she depicted a fantastical scene where a swarm of moths flies out the moment the coffin is opened. Examples of her works depicting natural phenomena include "Whirlpool" (1956) and "Goraigo" (1957). The former represents the Naruto whirlpools using the form of a dragon, a mythical creature, while the latter depicts a white horse galloping through a flowing sea of ​​clouds during a climb of Mount Fuji.
　In addition, the exhibition will feature other works by Ryushi, such as "Hyakushi-zu" (1949) and the "Kappa Series," showcasing his "cute and amusing" depictions of creatures. The creatures depicted in Ryushi's works are expressed in a variety of forms, ranging from familiar observations to imaginative worlds. Through this exhibition, please enjoy Ryushi's world, colored by these creatures.

〇Interactive program: "A chat and appreciation session at the Ryushi Memorial Museum"
Dates: Monday, December 29nd, Monday, January 27th, Monday, February 24th, starting at 8:00 PM each day
Cooperation: Association of Art Communicators for Nurturing Local Communities
Venue: Ryushi Memorial Museum Exhibition Room
Capacity: 10 people (first come, first served). Registration will close once capacity is reached.
Admission: Free
To apply: Please email the address below or call us (03-3772-0680) and let us know your participation date, name, phone number, and age.

Summer vacation program for children: "Watch, draw, and rediscover Ryuko with your children!"
日時：8月2日（日）午前の回（10:00～12:15）　午後の回（14:00～16:15）
Venue: Ryushi Memorial Museum and Ota Cultural Forest Second Creative Studio (Art Room)
Target: 3st grade elementary school students and above
Capacity: 12 people per session (if capacity is exceeded, a lottery will be held)
Deadline: July 7rd (Wed)
Lecturer: Artist Daigo Kobayashi

○Regional collaboration project "Summer Night Museum Live"
Date and time: May 8th (Sat) 8:18~30:19
Venue: Ryushi Memorial Museum Exhibition Room
Capacity: 50 people (if capacity is exceeded, a lottery will be held)
Deadline: Must arrive by Friday, March 7
Featuring: Jamshid Muradi (flute), Naoki Shimodate (guitar), Ni Tete Boy (percussion)

20th February 2026(Saturday) - 23th May (Sunday)

Schedule	9: 00-16: 30 (Admission until 16:00)
Venue	Ryushi Memorial Museum
Genre	Exhibitions / Events

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