Past Exhibitions

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Nishinomiya, his collection consists mainly of works of art related to the deity Ebisu, other deities of good fortune, historical documents of local history and customs and manners.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.    

Our annual exhibition of the Horiuchi Ebisu Collection coincides with the “Toka Ebisu Festival” held at Nishinomiya-jinja Shrine. This year’s exhibition ‘The Auspicious Ukiyo-e’ features ukiyo-e depicting the Seven Deities of Good Fortune.

Ukiyo-e originated in the middle of the Edo period (the 18th century) as an art which is closely related to people’s lives. Since ukiyo-e were mass-produced woodblock prints distributed as products that could be easily purchased by the general public, popular themes were chosen as the subjects.

Mr. Horiuchi Kiyoshi, a collector of the works related to deity Ebisu, collected ukiyo-e prints on which the deity Ebisu and other deities of good fortune were depicted in humorous ways. These familiar and auspicious ukiyo-e printings were enjoyed by the people of the time who hoped to have good fortune. They were also used as decorations for the home. The designs portray good fortune that people sought in the past and continue to seek today.

Please enjoy these delightful ukiyo-e, which are perfect for welcoming the New Year.

※ 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.

Sumi, or black ink has been used to draw suiboku-ga, or ink painting, and do calligraphy.

With the use of just black ink, the artists’ feelings are exuded through calligraphy, also various living beings such as people and sceneries can be freely depicted as if by magic.

This exhibition explores the art of Japanese ink painting on hanging scrolls, folding screens and more.   

The moon is Earth’s only natural satellite which shines on the night because its surface reflects light from the sun. Before 1873, lunisolar calendars, which indicates both the moon phases and the time of the solar year, were used in Japan for many centuries. Moon viewing permeated the daily lives of the Japanese and variety of names have been given to the moon that describe its phases. The beautiful and mysterious light shining at quiet night inspired people to create paintings, compose poems and write tales.

This exhibition brings together the moon in art including 33 works from the series of ukiyo-e woodblock prints “One Hundred Aspects of the Moon” by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, along with the tales of the moon.

Sasabe Shintaro spent his life of over 90 years researching, protecting and nurturing Japan’s ancient wild cherry blossom trees. While conducting his research, he collected items related to cherry blossom trees, such as works of art, books and more. Through his collection, he hoped to connect with more people regarding his research, to glean from others’ knowledge and deepen his own. Today, his collection is one of Japan’s foremost collections pertaining to cherry blossom trees, and consists of a wide variety of items including hanging scrolls, Nishiki-e paintings, sake vessels, tea utensils, folding fans and tanzaku paper.

This exhibition features various works relating to six themes: drinking, eating, living, painting, composing poems and learning.

Under the cozy sunlight of spring, cherry blossoms in full bloom fascinate us, but experiencing the cherry blossoms depicted through art is comparable! We welcome you to enjoy the works of art which capture our hearts in various scenes in our daily lives.