Kumagai Tsuneko Memorial Museum Kana no Bi Exhibition "Kumagai Tsuneko and the Manyoshu: A Majestic Calligraphy from Her Later Years"

　Calligrapher Kumagai Tsuneko (1893-1986) was a leading female expert in kana calligraphy during the Showa period. Our museum is holding an exhibition entitled "The Beauty of Kana," showcasing representative works produced by Tsuneko up to her later years, based on the Man'yoshu, Japan's oldest collection of waka poetry. The Man'yoshu is a collection of waka poetry said to have been compiled by Otomo no Yakamochi during the Nara period. Tsuneko, who had an interest in the Man'yoshu, studied the handwriting on the "tsugishikishi" (colored paper) on which poems from the Man'yoshu and Kokin Wakashu were copied during the Heian period.

　In particular, Tsuneko focused on the scattered writing on "Tsugishikishi." In kana calligraphy, "scattered writing" is a technique of expressing calligraphy that makes use of the white space by arranging and composing characters. "Tsugishikishi" is made by joining different pieces of paper together and writing the first and second verses of a waka poem together, which gives it the characteristic of scattered writing that makes beautiful use of space.

　This exhibition will feature works such as Yamatoni ni wa (In Yamato) (1957), which depicts a poem from the Manyoshu by Emperor Jomei about Mount Kagu in Nara, and Haruto no Haru (Spring After) (1966), which is based on a poem by Empress Jitō about Mount Kagu in Nara in early summer, as well as Uneme no Sleeve (Uneme Sleeve) (1982), which is based on a poem by Prince Shiki reminiscing about the Asuka Palace after the capital was moved to Fujiwara-kyō in Nara. With a focus on poems from the Manyoshu, please enjoy Tsuneko's calligraphy, which incorporates scattered writing on tsugi shikishi paper, which Tsuneko respected for its "subtle and solemn calligraphy, befitting an old hand."

Regional Collaboration Program "Tokyo Hand-Drawn Yuzen Dyeing Techniques"
During the Kana no Bi exhibition, we will be holding an exhibition in collaboration with people involved in cultural and artistic activities in the local area. This time, we will be introducing modern Tokyo hand-painted yuzen kimonos and obi sashes by Ota Ward traditional craftsperson Machida Kumiko, along with calligraphy by Kumagai Tsuneko.
Date and time: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 to Sunday, April 5, 2026
Venue: Kumagai Tsuneko Memorial Hall
Price: Included in admission fee

〇 4th Memorial Museum Lecture: "Kumagai Tsuneko and the Ema Family: Reminiscences of her brother, Tsutomu, a customs historian"
Date and time: Saturday, September 2026, 3, 21:14-00:15
Venue: Ota Cultural Forest, 5th floor multipurpose room (2-10-1 Chuo, Ota-ku)
Fee: Free
Capacity: 100 people (if the capacity is exceeded, a lottery will be held)
Deadline: Friday, March 6, 2026
Application: Please apply by postcard, fax, or the application form below (up to 2 people per postcard)

Please clearly state your postal code, address, name (in katakana), age, phone number, desired number of people (up to 2 people), and the name of the course, and send it to the address below. *Please write the address and name of the representative on the reply postcard. *If applying by fax, please use a fax number that can be returned.

For applications and inquiries, please contact: Ota City Ryushi Memorial Museum, "4th Memorial Museum Lecture" Section, 4-2-1 Chuo, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-0024, Japan. TEL/FAX: 03-3772-0680

Click here to apply

December 7th (Sat), 12nd year of Reiwa-Sunday, April 20th, 8rd year of Reiwa 　

Schedule	9:00~16:30 (Entry until 16:00)
Venue	Kumagai Tsuneko Memorial Museum
Genre	Exhibitions / Events

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