2024-01-25 / Last updated : 2024-01-25 Sylvain Art

Drift Into the Seductive World of “Ukiyo-e” While in Matsumoto

Among Japan’s many celebrated artforms, “ukiyo-e” stands out as one of the most recognizable yet not necessarily well understood by international visitors. Matsumoto and more broadly the Nagano region are ideal locales in which to explore the rich and seductive world of ukiyo-e. Located in Matsumoto City, the Japan Ukiyo-e Museum houses one of the largest and most important collections of ukiyo-e in the country, with many of its artworks currently on display at a special exhibition hosted by Matsumoto City Museum. These exhibitions – along with the popular Hokusai Museum in Obuse – include many works by Japan’s most celebrated artist, Hokusai Katsushika. A prolific artist who spent his […]

2022-09-06 / Last updated : 2022-09-25 Kevin Kato Art

Yayoi Kusama Print Works: Special Exhibition at the Matsumoto City Museum of Art

Yayoi Kusama, world-famous artist and native of Matsumoto, has her colorful and distinctive works displayed permanently at the Matsumoto City Museum of Art. But this summer the museum has put on a special exhibition, Yayoi Kusama Hanga-no-Sekai, that brings us down the road of her life as it leads us past her thoughts, represented in “hanga” prints and pieces that could have been created by no one else. Yayoi Kusama’s Work Yayoi Kusama is perhaps best-known for her red polka dots and her yellow spotted pumpkins works. But her work goes far beyond these. On permanent display are expressions of various media: lights and mirrors and three-dimensional objects of material soft […]

2022-03-05 / Last updated : 2022-03-05 Kevin Kato Art

Matsumoto’s Artistic Works: On the Street & Under Your Feet

From Japan’s oldest castle tower to the old Kaichi School building; from the traditional works at the Ukiyo-e Museum to the modern masterpieces of Yayoi Kusama, this town is home to impressive architectural and artistic achievements. But Matsumoto’s artistic works extend far beyond the famous. Here’s just a sampling of what you might find, on the street and under your feet. Keep An Eye on the Traffic As Matsumoto reworks their fleet of city buses to include smaller alternative-fuel vehicles, they’re also busy rolling out some eye-catching artwork. Some buses display the pride of Matsumoto’s natural and cultural heritage. Others display advertisements, for everything from tea to home builders to […]

2021-09-23 / Last updated : 2021-09-23 Léa Van Cuyck Art

3 Japanese Manga and Drama that take place in Matsumoto

Japan is famous for its mangas and dramas. Each literary and cinemagraphic work is a summary of what Japanese culture can evoke in us, each anchored in a unique setting. So let’s discover together 3 Japanese Manga & Drama works that take place in Matsumoto! TAKANO Ichigo’s Orange manga Published in 2012, this work tells us a very human story, where love, friendship, hope and regret are intertwined. It all starts when Naho, a young high school student, receives a letter. It is from her “future-self” who expresses remorse for failing to “save” her friend Kakeru. Then a race against the clock begins! But as Naho strives to use the […]

2021-02-02 / Last updated : 2022-03-16 Mike Stiles Art

Exploring the latest art trends at Matsumoto City Art Museum!

What’s with the modernist building with the huge funky flowers out front? The building is the Matsumoto City Art Museum and the “flowers” are sculptures by local artist Yayoi Kusama. I had an opportunity to visit the museum and browse. Kusama’s work can be quite immersive and usually puts a smile on my face! Yayoi Kusama – A living treasure Born and raised in Matsumoto, Yayoi Kusama spent much of her early life and career in France and the US. During the 1960s she was a major fixture of “The Happening” art scene in New York City. Kusama returned to Japan in 1972. Since that time she has continued to […]