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

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

Date: December 2025, 12 (Sat) - April 20, 2026 (Sun)

Introduction of exhibition contents

　Calligrapher Kumagai Tsuneko (1893-1986) was a leading female figure in the kana calligraphy genre during the Showa period. The Kumagai Tsuneko Memorial Museum is holding an exhibition entitled "The Beauty of Kana," showcasing works she produced 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. She commented that "the brushwork is very old-fashioned and powerful, exuding a deep elegance, and the way the lines are scattered has a unique, unworldly quality" (Note 1).

　In particular, Tsuneko paid special attention to the scattered writing on "Tsugishikishi," which she respected as "a refined and stately writing style befitting an old calligrapher" (Note 3). In kana calligraphy, "scattered writing" is a technique of expressing calligraphy that makes use of white space by arranging and composing characters. "Tsugishikishi" is characterized by the beautiful use of space, as different pieces of paper are joined together to write a waka poem.

　This exhibition will feature works such as Yamatoni ni (In Yamato) (1957), which depicts a poem from the Manyoshu by Emperor Jomei about Mount Kagu in Nara, and Past Spring (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 that recalls the Asuka Palace after the capital was moved to Fujiwara-kyō in Nara. Please enjoy Tsuneko's representative works, focusing on poems from the Manyoshu.

Note　

9. Kumagai Tsuneko, "About Tsugi Shikishi," Shodo, Vol. 5, No. 9, Taito Shodo Institute, September 1936

11. Kumagai Tsuneko, "The Giant of Contemporary Calligraphy, Kumagai Tsuneko," Calligraphy Art, Vol. 4, No. 6, Japanese Art, November 1986

3. Tsuneko Kumagai, Calligraphy Kana: From the Basics to Creation, Macosha, 1978

 

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: February 25th (Wednesday) – April 5th (Sunday), 2026
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, October 2026, 3 21: 14-00: 15
Venue: Ota Cultural Forest, 5th floor multipurpose room (2-10-1 Chuo, Ota-ku)
Capacity: 100 people (if capacity is exceeded, a lottery will be held)
Deadline: Must arrive by Friday, March 3
To apply: Please send a postcard or fax to the address listed below, stating your postal code, address, name (with furigana), age, phone number, desired number of people (up to 2 people), and the name of the course in the "Recruitment Information" section.
*Please write the representative's address and name on the reply postcard.
* If applying by fax, please use a fax number that can receive replies.
Click here to apply

 

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

• Press release (PDF)
• Flyer (PDF)

Exhibition information

Session	2025/12/20 (Sat) - 2026/4/5 (Sun)
Museum Hours of Operation	9:00 to 16:30 (Last admission 16:00)
Museum Holidays	Every Monday (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday) and the New Year holidays (December 29th to January 3rd)
Museum Admissions Fee	Adults 100 yen, junior high school students and under 50 yen * Free for those aged 65 or older (proof required), preschool children, and those with a disability certificate and one caregiver
Gallery talk	Saturday, January 24, 2026, Monday, February 23, Saturday, February 28, Saturday, March 14, 2026 11:00 and 13:00 every day I will explain the contents of the exhibition. For details, please contact the Ota City Kumagai Tsuneko Memorial Hall at 03-3773-0123.
Venue	Ota City Tsuneko Kumagai Memorial Hall (4-5-15 Minami Magome, Ota City) From the west exit of JR Keihin Tohoku Line Omori Station, take Tokyu Bus No. 4 bound for "Ebaramachi Station Entrance" and get off at "Manpukuji-mae", then walk for 5 minutes 10 minutes walk from the south exit of Nishi-Magome Station on the Toei Subway Asakusa Line along Minami-Magome Sakura-namiki-dori (Cherry Blossom Promenade)