“Fan Pictures by Kuniyoshi – Cats, Kabuki Actors and Girls,” an exhibition focusing on Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s fan paintings, will be held at the Ota Memorial Museum of Art from June 1st to July 28th, 2024.

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The Ota Memorial Museum of Art, known for one of the largest collections of Ukiyo-e in Japan, holds special exhibitions with various themes throughout the year. Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861), a ukiyo-e artist renowned for his wide range of subjects of the late Edo period (1603-1868), was prolific in fan picture production.

Uchiwa is a traditional Japanese hand fan, typically crafted with a round or oval bamboo frame and adorned with paper. During the Edo period, these fans were indispensable not only for cooling off during the hot summer months but also served as fashionable accessories and collectibles for kabuki enthusiasts, similar to modern bromides. While fans are typically consumable items, surviving examples are rare; however, those showcased in this exhibition are in exceptional condition. Among the 220 pieces displayed, approximately 100 works are being unveiled for the first time.

Fan Pictures by Kuniyoshi – Cats, Kabuki Actors and Girls
Date: June 1st – July 28th, 2024
Hours: 10:30 – 17:30 (Last Admission 17:00）
Closed on Mondays and June 26th – 28th
Place: Ota Memorial Museum of Art
Address: 1-10-10 Jingu-mae, Shibuyaku, Tokyo
Tel: +81 (0)3 3403 0880
https://www.ukiyoe-ota-muse.jp