Kyoto's injuries wake up. Evil demon or good demon? “Takamurakami Mononoke Kyoto” from February 3, 2024@Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art

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From February 3 to September 1, 2024, the ``Takashi Murakami Mononoke Kyoto'' exhibition, the first in Japan in eight years and the first outside of Tokyo, will open at the Kyocera Museum of Art, Kyoto, commemorating the 90th anniversary of the opening of the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art. To do. We...

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Kyoto, the demonic capital where Chimi Mōryō lives.

Will the Mononoke Kyoto exhibition be swallowed up by Kyoto's Mononoke, or will Takashi Murakami himself be remembered with awe as a Mononoke? A major highlight of this exhibition is whether Takashi Murakami's Momonoke will be accepted by the thousand-year-old Mononoke of the ancient capital.

Opening by hand

Handmade is said to be the most prestigious

The press conference was held at the Yasaka Club in the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo, Kyoto, and the press conference opened with a ``teuchi'' dance performed by geishas at the celebration. The hand-made work of Gion's geishas is the pride of Kyoto's red-light district, a condensation of Kyoto's tradition, culture, and history.

I felt warm in my chest. The presentation of this proud Kyoto tradition at the beginning of the press conference showed Murakami's respect for Kyoto and the people of Kyoto, and at the same time conveyed the true beauty of Japan and the ``deepness'' of beauty to the world. I think it was sent to .

Zombies, monsters, and monsters

Since the beginning of this year, Murakami has been a zombie in Busan, South Korea. In San Francisco, USA, we have held an exhibition with the theme of monsters. This time, we chose Kyoto, Japan, and the theme is Mononoke. Zombies, monsters, and monsters...they all have one thing in common: they exist beyond the creation of humans.

Murakami is now around the world. Why did Murakami, who has been active mainly overseas, choose Kyoto to hold his first domestic exhibition outside of Tokyo? The answer may lie in the story leading up to the exhibition and the works.

There are many different images of Japan and Kyoto. Moreover, in this exhibition, Murakami will draw on the theme of "Mononoke". In ancient times, Mononoke were feared beings. How does Murakami portray the awe of the people living in Kyoto?

Takashi Murakami and Japanese painting

Murakami became the first university student to earn a doctorate in Japanese painting (in fine arts). He says that many of his works are greatly influenced by the painters of the Edo period, but it is clear that at his core he loves Japanese paintings. What Murakami discovered was the work of artists such as Soga Shohaku and Tawaraya Sotatsu, who were active mainly in Kyoto during the Edo period. Many new works created by uniquely interpreting and reconstructing what was discovered will be exhibited as the first works in Japan.

The curator for this event was Shinya Takahashi, general manager of the Kyocera Museum of Art, Kyoto, who also led the success of the 500 Arhats Exhibition.

Only seen in Kyoto

The main feature of this exhibition is Rakuchu Rakugai-zu. Rakuchu-Rakugai-zu is a ``Funaki copy'' passed down to the Funaki family of Shiga (author: Iwasa Matabei), which is said to vividly depict Kyoto at its most vibrant from the late Muromachi period to the early Edo period. The energetic people of Kyoto are depicted full of enthusiasm.

On the other hand, I have a feeling that there is something more like a mononoke lurking in the lives of Kyoto and the people of Kyoto that Murakami creates (though I don't know if it's okay to call it a mononoke). But how?

Now. Does this mean that we live with Mononoke in Kyoto, or is Mononoke the dark side that everyone seems to have? Was it Mononoke because it was in Kyoto, or was Kyoto made for the purpose of playing Mononoke? The only way to find out the answers to these questions is by visiting the exhibition.

Cookies from Tonari no Kaido and Kyomaru fan from Komaruya Sumii would be great if they were sold as exhibition goods.

In addition to flowers, the cookies from Tonari no Kaido contain icing cookies made from Onitachi & Komaruya Sumii's Kyomaru fan.

*Mr. Shinya Takahashi of the Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art Business Planning and Promotion Office also took the stage at the press conference.

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Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art 90th Anniversary Exhibition “Takashi Murakami Mononoke Kyoto”

Event dates: February 3, 2024 - September 1, 2024

Venue: Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art New Building Higashiyama Cube

Official website: https://kyotocity-kyocera.museum/exhibition/20240203-20240630

Please contact CEC for Kyoto's tour guide information.
https://www.cec-kyoto.jp/

editor:Miho Onodera,Hiroko Chino

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Cultural Edu-tourism Council (CEC)

Kyoto

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