Past Exhibitions

Horiuchi Kiyoshi, who was born and raised in Nishinomiya, wrote about a number of good luck customs. Even today, people still try to bring good fortune to themselves by saying lucky words or placing lucky items around them. In this exhibition, we will introduce the deities of fortune, who bring such good fortune to us. “Shichifukujin (The Seven Deities of Good Fortune)”, including Ebisu Daikoku, will gather in the Sake Museum exhibition room for a limited time this year. Please enjoy the appearance of the deities of good fortune as they celebrate the various pre-festival celebrations of happiness.

※ About Horiuchi Ebisu Collection

The Horiuchi Ebisu Collection was collected over many years by the late Dr. Horiuchi Kiyoshi (1924 – 2009). He was a local historian as well as a doctor of medical science. Born and raised in Nishinomiya, his collection consists mainly of works of art related to the deity Ebisu, other deities of good fortune, historical documents of local history and customs and manners.

Influenced by changing customs, fashions, techniques, and environments over time, various works of art have been produced in Japan. The first half of this exhibition features works by Kano Tanyu, Tosa Mitsuki, and others from the early modern period (Edo period), before the term “Japanese Paintings” became established, while the second half features works by Kawabata Gyokusho, Hashimoto Kansetsu, and others from the modern period (Meiji era to prewar), which were produced as “Japanese Paintings” in contrast to Western-style paintings. We hope that you will feel the change of the times through the works from the Sake Museum’s collection.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), many adaptations of the tale were published, including not only summary books abridging “The Tale of Genji,” but also parody books adapted from the tale, and nishiki-e prints depicting scenes and characters in a modern style. The Genji pattern, a design based on a scene from the tale, was incorporated into furnishings and other items, and was favored as an elegant pattern.
In this exhibition, we introduce the development of “The Tale of Genji” in the Edo and Meiji periods.

The Sasabe Sakura Collection (entrusted to the museum by Nishinomiya City) is one of Japan’s foremost collections of materials regarding cherry blossom trees collected by Sasabe Shintaro, who devoted his life to protecting and nurturing indigenous Japanese cherry blossom trees.

This exhibition features paintings, ceramics, metal, wood and lacquer works, prints and kimono, together with records of the purchases made by Sasabe. Please enjoy the variety of cherry blossoms represented in works from a wide range of fields.

Our annual exhibition of the Horiuchi Ebisu Collection coincides with the “Toka Ebisu Festival” held at Nishinomiya-jinja Shrine. This year’s exhibition ‘Deity of Fortune, Ebisu’

The deity Ebisu, represented by a figure wearing a raven hat and holding a fishing rod and sea bream, is known as a deity that brings good fortune. In the Kansai region, many people visit the shrine especially on the January 10 “Toka Ebisu Festival” to pray for good fortune and prosperous business.

This exhibition introduces the widely worshipped deity Ebisu, affectionately called “Ebisu-sama” or “Ebessan,” as a familiar good-luck charm that has become a part of daily life through iconography, statues of deities, and everyday utensils. Please take a look at the various representations of Ebisu.

※ About Horiuchi Ebisu Collection

The Horiuchi Ebisu Collection was collected over many years by the late Dr. Horiuchi Kiyoshi (1924 – 2009). He was a local historian as well as a doctor of medical science. Born and raised in Nishinomiya, his collection consists mainly of works of art related to the deity Ebisu, other deities of good fortune, historical documents of local history and customs and manners.

In traditional Japanese culture, the utensils are elaborate and fascinate us.

This exhibition highlights the utensils of tea ceremony, incense burning, stationery, swords, and sword accessories which were used in traditional Japanese culture.

As Japan is completely surrounded by sea on all sides and also experiences abundant rainfall, water has been a very familiar presence to the Japanese. Water has been depicted in a variety of forms as a subject of art: waterfalls cascading down high mountains, rough white waves splashing in the surf, calm shimmering water, and rain. In these paintings, the movement and change of water was captured and depicted as a moment in a scene.

This exhibition brings together various depictions of water from early modern to modern Japanese paintings and artifacts.

During a short period of about 60 years in the mid-to-late Edo period (18th-19th centuries), a school of painting known as the Mikuma school, comprised of four members (Mikuma Shiko, Mikuma Roko, Hirose Kain and Oda Shitsushitsu) was active mainly in Kyoto. The school was known for predominantly painting cherry blossom trees.

It is said that Mikuma Shiko, the founder of the Mikuma school, traveled throughout Japan in the spring to observe and paint cherry blossom trees. His painting style was emulated by the other three painters, who produced paintings of cherry blossom trees with meticulous attention to detail. These painters painted cherry blossoms to the best of their ability, with the desire to depict the beauty of cherry blossoms, which have been loved in Japan throughout history.

This exhibition mainly features hanging scrolls with artwork of cherry blossom trees painted by the four members of the Mikuma school. These scrolls are part of the Sasabe Sakura Collection, where the beauty of cherry blossom trees is depicted to the utmost. 

Seasonal festivals are held during the significant turning points of the seasons, to ward off evil spirits. Five of the seasonal festivals were designated as national holidays by the Edo shogunate, and the custom of celebrating the festivals became common among the general public of the time: ‘Jinjitsu’ (Festival of the Seven Spring Herbs) on January 7th, ‘Jōshi’ (Doll’s Festival or Girls’ Festival) on March 3rd, ‘Tango’ (Boys’ Festival) on May 5th, ‘Tanabata’ (Weaver Star Festival) on June 7th and ‘Chōyō’ (Chrysanthemum Festival) on September 9th. Customs such as displaying hina dolls during Joshi (Doll’s Festival or Girls’ Festival), and displaying warrior dolls during Tango (Boys’ Festival) have been passed down to this day.

This exhibition displays a collection of various dolls from the early Showa era (19th century), made by renowned Kyoto doll maker Ōki Heizō, which had been owned by the sake brewing Tatsuuma family. Ōki Heizō’s excellent skills can be seen in his work, such as the set of fifteen 7cm tall hina dolls called “Ni-sun Hina Dolls”, and in an ornamental piece of armor with elaborate metal fittings and embroidery.

For this year’s special exhibition titled “The Five Seasonal Festivals in Kyoto”, fascinating and festive dolls owned by Maruhei Bunko, the reference room of Marihei Ōki Doll Store, are on display.

Please enjoy the exhibition of the dolls which heralds the arrival of spring, and take a close look at the small but extravagant figurines.