A relaxing space connecting the forest, town and station
JR East Cross Station Development Company, Ltd. will participate in "Pandabashi Picnic 2024 Autumn," an event to promote the attractions of the region, held in collaboration between East Japan Railway Company (hereinafter referred to as JR East) and Taito Ward on "Panda Bridge," an east-west free passage connecting the Iriya ticket gate of JR Ueno Station to the town of Ueno and Ueno Park.
The theme of this event is "A relaxing space that connects the forest, town and station." We will be providing alcoholic drinks and food, as well as railway-themed workshops, creating a relaxing space that both adults and children can enjoy together.
Pandabashi Picnic 2024 Autumn Event Overview
■Date and time:
October 26th (Sat) and 27th (Sun)
26th (Sat): 12:00-19:00 / 27th (Sun): 12:00-18:00
*Only some events will be held in the event of rain.
*Event cancellations will be announced on the relevant websites and social media.
■ Location: Panda Bridge outside the Iriya ticket gates at JR Ueno Station
■Organizer: East Japan Railway Company (Tokyo Moving Line)
■Co-organized by: Taito Ward, JR East Cross Station Development Company, Ltd.
■ Cooperation: JR East Sports Co., Ltd. (Jexer Fitness & Spa Ueno), JR East Urban Development Co., Ltd., Iwakura High School
■ Participating shops (operated by JR East Cross Station Development Company)
・noie…sells natural wine and curry bread
・Higurashi Bookstore: A collection of bookstores from the neighborhood. Used books and books for sale.
・CERA STORE…Sales of second-hand clothes, antiques, and used books
・TONTOKOBOY…Sales of craft beer, etc.
・VectorBrewing: Craft beer sales, etc.
・Snack Linne…drinks and food sales, brooch-making workshop
・Guruguru Gelato…gelato for sale
・Asakusa Vehicle Manufacturing Co., Ltd.: Leather ticket workshop, railway goods sales
A collection of shops offering a relaxing atmosphere
Shops and experience corners will be set up on the Panda Bridge, which connects Ueno Park and the station, with the theme of "a relaxing space connecting the forest, town, and station."
[List of participating shops]
[noie] Natural wine and curry bread for sale[Higurashi Bookstore] Neighborhood bookstores gather together. Used books and books for sale[CERA STORE] Selling used clothing, antiques, and second-hand books[TONTOKOBOY] Craft beer sales, etc.[VectorBrewing] Craft beer sales, etc.[Snack Linnaeus] Drinks and food sales, brooch-making workshop[Guruguru Gelato] Gelato sales[Asakusa Vehicle Manufacturing] Leather ticket workshop, railway goods sales (10/27 only)
Various workshops are also held
Various workshops will be held under the theme of "A relaxing space that connects the forest, town, and station." You can enjoy art, experience railroad work, or get some exercise. Please enjoy your time in your own way.
Date and time: Saturday, October 26th, 12:00-16:30 (every 30 minutes)
Duration: Approximately 45 minutes
Lecturer: JR East employee
Number of participants: 1 person per session x 2 courses
Participation fee: [Regular course] 3,000 yen (tax included)
[Upgrade Course] 4,000 yen (tax included) *This is an experience using the real master controller used on the E217 series.
How to participate: Advance reservation at JRE MALL
[Reservation page]
・Normal course https://event.jreast.co.jp/activity/detail/a002/a002-097
・Upgrade course (using E217 series master controller) https://event.jreast.co.jp/activity/detail/a002/a002-98
■ Original Clock Making Art Workshop (10/27 only)
Date and time: Sunday, October 27th, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00
Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes
Lecturer: NiJi$uKe (Nijiaki Doi)
Number of participants: 12 people per session
Participation fee: 4,500 yen (tax included)
How to participate: Advance reservation on the experiential event site (aini)
[Reservation page] https://helloaini.com/travels/49375?prcd=rdX6
■Fitness by instructors from JEXER FITNESS CLUB
Date and Time:
・ZUMBA
October 26th (Saturday) 13:00
・LESMILLS BODY ATTACK
October 26 (Sat) 14:30
・LESMILLS DANCE
October 27th (Sun) 13:00
・LESMILLS BODY COMBAT
October 27 (Sun) 14:30
[Participation Benefits]
①One free drink
② Use of the spa at "Jexer Fitness & Spa Ueno" on the day
*Jexer Fitness & Spa Ueno https://www.jexer.jp/fitness/ueno/
■Cork doll and spinning panda brooch
Date and Time:
October 26th (Sat) 12:00-19:00
October 27th (Sun) 12:00-18:00
Duration: 30 minutes
Lecturer: Chihiro Iijima
Number of participants: 6 people per session
Participation fee: Workshop 1,000 yen (tax included)
1 drink set: 1,500 yen (tax included)
How to participate:
[Reservation page] https://snakrinne1026-27.peatix.com/
*Slots available on the day are on a first-come, first-served basis.
■Make your own one-of-a-kind Kawa no Ticket® at the Panda Bridge at JR Ueno Station (only on 10/27)
Date and time: Sunday, October 27th, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00
Time required: 20 minutes (per piece)
Lecturer: Asakusa Vehicle Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Number of participants: 8 tickets per session / 40 tickets per day (up to 3 tickets per person)
Participation fee: 1,650 yen (tax included), patterned ticket + 330 yen (tax included)
How to participate: Reservation slots (20 tickets) + same-day slots (20 tickets)
[Reservation page] https://passmarket.yahoo.co.jp/event/show/detail/02x0cahcz2141.html
*Slots available on the day are on a first-come, first-served basis.
We also introduce other events!
■Dance performance by Iwakura High School Dance Club "Burst" (10/26 only)
A dance performance by first and second year students from the local Iwakura High School dance club "Burst." Enjoy their powerful dance!
Date and time: Saturday, October 26th, 16:00-17:00
Planning cooperation: Iwakura High School
Participation fee: Free
Demonstration experiment of utilization of "Panda Bridge," an east-west connecting passage at JR Ueno Station
Based on the Ueno District Urban Development Vision, East Japan Railway Company and Taito Ward are working to create a new base that everyone will want to use, with the aim of improving the mobility of Ueno Forest and the city. Since December 2022, a demonstration experiment has been conducted on Panda Bridge with new ways of spending time and using the bridge, with the aim of making the bridge a comfortable space. Through repeated verification of safety, comfort, etc., we will continue to develop the unique character of Panda Bridge.
A look at the "Panda Bridge Picnic," the fourth Panda Bridge utilization demonstration experiment conducted in March 2024
About "TOKYO MOVING ROUND"
In line with its group management vision, "Move Up 2027," JR East is shifting from "provision of railway-based services" to "creation of people-based value and services" with the aim of realizing "enriched lives" for everyone in the local community.
In addition to services that improve the convenience of everyday life, including transportation, we will create a rich urban living space by bringing out the individuality of diverse towns and people and creating connections between stations, stations and towns, people and towns, and people and people.
As part of this, the Tokyo Moving Line is working on art initiatives, providing opportunities to casually enjoy art at everyday stations. Working with various curators, we are developing galleries that exhibit art in corners of station facilities and provide opportunities to casually interact with art, with the theme of "daily life connected to art."
Participating artists: Akiko Nakayama, Eiichi Sawado, and others The food court, produced by J-WAVE’s event “INSPIRE TOKYO,” will be held from Friday, October 25th.
The Ueno Tourism Association will be holding a light art event called “Peace of Light” around Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park, an urban oasis.
The art installation on the banks of Shinobazu Pond (Saturday, October 26th and Sunday, October 27th) and the live performance on the Waterside Music Hall Outdoor Stage (Saturday, October 26th) will be performed by painter Akiko Nakayama, with music by Eiichi Sawatari.
The food and beverage area, which will open in advance from Friday, October 25th, is produced by “INSPIRE TOKYO,” an event hosted by the radio station J-WAVE (81.3FM). A wide variety of delicious food and drinks will be available, from piping hot dogs and hamburgers to international food such as Vietnamese, Palestinian, and Korean cuisine, to craft beer, freshly brewed coffee, and sweets. This fall, be sure to enjoy art installations, music, and food by Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park.
[Date, Time and Location] “Peace of Light”
– Art installation: Akiko Nakayama and Eiichi Sawatari’s new video “Melting Waterscape” Location: Shinobazu Pond, Ueno Park (in front of the Lotus View Deck)
Saturday, October 26, 2024 and Sunday, October 27, 2024 from 12:00 to 22:00 (free admission)
・Live performance “Alive Painting” is constantly transforming, using the energy of Akiko Nakayama’s colors and flow. A fusion of music played by Eiichi Sawatari!
※image
Location: Ueno Park Water Music Hall Outdoor Stage
Held only on Saturday, October 26, 2023. Doors open at 17:00. Performance begins at 17:30 and ends at 20:00. *Advance tickets (500 yen including tax) are on sale at Lawson Ticket . https://l-tike.com/search/?keyword=70391
* Same-day tickets (500 yen including tax)
* Attendees will be given a glow stick wristband as a special gift (present your wristband at participating stores in Ueno Shopping Street after the show to receive the special gift only on Saturday, October 26th).
*Proceeds from admission fees will be donated to Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis relief fund through the Japanese Red Cross Society.
Scheduled artists: Akiko Nakayama, Eiichi Sawatari, style-3!, Aoi MichelE
■Akiko Nakayama Profile
He will perform a performance called “Alive Painting,” in which he creates pictures by using various materials, from liquids to solids, to react with each other.
He vividly depicts all manner of phenomena and colors in his work as metaphors for living things and relationships.
The works, in which various mediums and colors blend together and change, are like improvised poetry.
In recent years, he has worked on projects such as the Ars Electronica festival (Linz, Austria), MUTEK Montreal, the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and the opening video for the historical drama “Hikaru Kimi e.” https://www.akikopainting.com
・Food and drink area produced by “INSPIRE TOKYO” (free admission) Location: Shinobazu Pond, Ueno Park (in front of the Lotus View Deck)
Friday, October 25, Saturday, October 26, Sunday, October 27, 2024 12:00-21:00
*All events will proceed rain or shine, but will be canceled if there is severe weather.
In addition, a digital stamp rally will be held at the same time, where you can win tickets to the live performance at the Mizukami Music Hall Outdoor Stage on Saturday, October 26th!
Check out the official website for more details!
■Organizer: Ueno Tourism Association, Supported by: Taito Ward, J-WAVE *For more information, please visit the Peace of Light official website. URL:https://ueno.or.jp/peaceoflight/
Saturday, October 26, 2024 – Sunday, December 8, 2024 at Ueno Geidai Art Plaza (free admission)
A special exhibition titled “Beautiful Foolishness – Were we born to play?” will be held from Saturday, October 26, 2024 at the “Geidai Art Plaza” gallery on the campus of the Tokyo University of the Arts Faculty of Fine Arts (Ueno,TaitoWard), a collaborative project between Shogakukan and Tokyo University of the Arts. The exhibition will feature works by approximately 10 artists associated with the university. Admission is free, and photography is generally allowed. Children are welcome.
Special exhibition “Beautiful Foolishness – Were we born to play?” to be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024
Okakura Tenshin, who served as principal of Tokyo School of Fine Arts, the predecessor of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Tokyo University of the Arts, ended the first chapter of his book “The Book of Tea” with these words.
“Let us dream of evanescence, and linger in the beautiful foolishness of things.”
(Let us dream of transience for a moment, and surrender to the beautiful stupidity of things.)
The word “foolishness” is usually only used in a negative sense. By describing it as “beautiful,” Tenshin seems to be paying the highest praise to things or things that are utilitarian and useless, or to seemingly worthless existences that are freed from social contexts and relationships.
In addition, the “Ryōjin Hishō”, compiled by Emperor Goshirakawa, who could be called the emperor of pop in Japan, contains a passage that had a major influence on subsequent literary works: “Was I born to play? Was I born to frolic?”
This time, the Tokyo University of the Arts Art Plaza focused on two phrases: “Beautiful Folly” and “Was I Born to Play?” We wondered if it would be good to have art that exists like that.
Take a moment to immerse yourself in the “beautiful and silly” and “born for fun” works created by Tokyo University of the Arts artists.
■ Overview of the special exhibition <br />Special exhibition name: Special exhibition “Beautiful Foolishness – Were we born to play?”
Venue: Geidai Art Plaza (Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, 12-8 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Dates: Saturday, October 26, 2024 – Sunday, December 8, 2024
Admission fee: Free Opening hours: 10:00-18:00
Closed: Mondays *Business hours may change. Please check the official website or SNS for the latest information.
■ List of artists scheduled to exhibit: Haruna Asanoi / Kanshin Imai / Ryo Ogata / Kenichi Kato / Aya Kurashiki / Shotarou Sanada / Hinako Suda / Honami Matsuo / Juri Hayashi / Naoko Hayashi
What is Geidai Art Plaza?
The Tokyo University of the Arts (Geidai) has produced many top artists, and the gallery “Geidai Art Plaza” exhibits and sells works by faculty, students, and graduates of the university. It is one of the precious places on the Ueno campus of the university that is open to the public throughout the year. It began operation in 2018 as a collaborative project between Shogakukan and the University of the Arts.
Currently, exhibitions with different themes are held every one or two months. Each special exhibition features 10 to 50 artists, who bring together works that are expressed using the diverse techniques and approaches unique to Tokyo University of the Arts, including oil painting, Japanese painting, sculpture, crafts, and design.
Exhibition view of the special exhibition “Geidai Art Plaza Art Award Winners Invitation Exhibition – Geidai Stars” to be held from August to October 2024 https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/25284/
Inside the store, there is a permanent exhibition corner called “LIFE WITH ART” that focuses on art that fits into daily life, such as tableware and accessories, and a bookshelf that is linked to special exhibitions. During the store’s business hours, you can take a break with a cafe drink from the outdoor food truck “NoM cafe”.
Admission to the Tokyo University of the Arts Art Plaza is free. Taking photos and sharing them on social media is also welcome. We aim to be a place where anyone, not just art fans, can easily experience art.
Exhibition view of the permanent corner “LIFE WITH ART”
Geidai Art Plaza Basic Information
■ Access Nearest station: JR Ueno Station (Park Exit) or Uguisudani Station, approx. 10-minute walk Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, Nezu Station, approx. 10-minute walk Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Ueno Station, approx. 15-minute walk Keisei Electric Railway, Keisei Ueno Station, approx. 15-minute walk Toei Bus Route 26 (Kameido – Ueno Park), Yanaka bus stop, approx. 3-minute walk *Please note that there is no parking lot, so please do not come by car.
East Japan Railway Company opened the entire "PLATFORM13" at Ueno Station, a model station for the "Beyond Stations Concept," on August 1, 2024.
Ueno Station is a cultural creation hub and disseminates various cultures, and as part of this initiative, PLATFORM13 will be broadcasting the railway x art content "Famous Trains from Ueno" from August 30th. By combining the famous trains that have colored the history of Ueno Station with digital graphics and calligraphy art, you can experience the world-famous Japanese cultures of "railroads" and "calligraphy" through the dynamic video space of PLATFORM13.
Additionally, together with Epson Sales Corporation and Flyby Inc., we will be conducting a demonstration experiment in which a QR code based on railway graphics will be projected onto station platforms using a projector, combining it with railway images generated by generative AI.
1. About the broadcast of the railway x art content "Famous Trains Departing from Ueno Station"
By combining eight famous trains that have coloured the railway culture and stories of each era throughout the long history of Ueno Station with the techniques of digital graphics and calligraphy, an art created by human sensibility and real hands, we will develop this as innovative railway culture promotion content.
In addition to tracing the history of Ueno Station, images of famous trains in their heyday are projected onto a 100m-long wall, creating a dynamic presentation that makes you feel as if you are actually watching trains approaching and receding, combined with impressive calligraphy art of the trains' nicknames written by calligraphers, allowing you to experience magnificent art that also evokes nostalgia.
(1) Broadcast location: Ueno Station, Platform 13 (2) Broadcast period: August 30, 2024 (Friday) to October 14, 2024 (Monday/holiday) (3) Broadcast time: 8:00-21:30* (4) Trains featured: Toki Express, Asama Express, Hakutsuru Sleeper Express, Hitachi Express Sleeper Express Akebono Sleeper Express Hokutosei Sleeper Express Cassiopeia E5 Series Shinkansen Hayabusa
(※)・Broadcasting will be suspended during the following times.
From September 30th onwards: Mondays 4:00-11:30/Thursdays 16:00-19:00/Saturdays 4:00-11:30/Sundays 16:00-19:00
・Due to circumstances such as transportation disruptions, access to platform 13 may be restricted or broadcasting may be stopped without prior notice.
<Broadcast image>
About Calligraphy Art
By employing internationally active calligrapher SHIN-REI, who has a track record of collaborating with various cultural scenes such as sports, music, games, and fashion, and who has performed calligraphy at the Louvre Museum and written the title characters for the Judo Grand Slam Osaka 2019, we have created calligraphy art that is suitable for video content that will disseminate cultural values to the world at Ueno Station as a "cultural creation hub."
Mr. Mamio
2. Demonstration experiment of QR code projection fused with railway images using generative AI
In conjunction with the broadcast of the railway x art content "Famous Trains at Ueno Station," a demonstration experiment of new technology utilizing projected images will be conducted at PLATFORM13 with the cooperation of Epson Sales Co., Ltd. and Flyby Inc.
A QR code fused with a train graphic image generated by AI will be projected onto the station platform. By reading this QR code with a smartphone camera, users can access a special page on the JRE MALL website featuring merchandise for the eight famous trains.
QR code (image)
[Reference] Shin-Rei
Calligrapher MaMio
She started calligraphy at the age of 7. She has won numerous awards at the Yomiuri Calligraphy Exhibition and the Japan Calligraphy Institute Exhibition. She is active not only in Japan, but also in Europe, America, and Asia, where she has performed calligraphy at the Louvre Museum in France, and is active globally, holding workshops and solo exhibitions. She is also actively exploring new possibilities and fields of calligraphy, such as the world's first collaboration between calligrapher Mae and Waterlight Graffiti.
[Reference] The vision of the "Beyond Stations Concept"
Starting with the goal of enriching people's lives, we will transform the layout and function of station spaces while taking advantage of the strengths of stations as real-world exchange hubs, and by expanding the JRE POINT living area, we will transform stations from "transportation hubs" to "life platforms."
At our model station, Ueno Station, we will continue to expand our services that combine the real world and online, and realize the "enriching lifestyle" that only we can provide.
Saturday, August 17, 2024 – Sunday, October 20, 2024 at Ueno Geidai Art Plaza (free admission)
A special exhibition, “Geidai Art Plaza Art Award Winners Invitation Exhibition – Geidai Stars” will be held from Saturday, August 17, 2024 at the gallery “Geidai Art Plaza ( https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/ )” on the campus of the Faculty of Fine Arts of Tokyo University of the Arts (Ueno, Taito Ward), a collaborative project between Shogakukan and Tokyo University of the Arts. This exhibition will display and sell works by approximately 30 artists associated with Geidai. Admission is free, and photography is generally allowed. Children are welcome.
Special exhibition “Geidai Art Plaza Art Award Winners Invitation Exhibition” to be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024
The Geidai Art Plaza Grand Prize is an annual art competition for Geidai students that has been running for about 20 years. Starting this year, the name has changed to Geidai Art Plaza Art Award, and new categories such as the Shogakukan Prize and JR East Prize have been established, as well as a digital art category.
This year, we will be holding the “Art Award Winners Invitation Exhibition,” which brings together new works from past winners of the fine arts division. There will be a wide range of ages and genres, from current students of the Tokyo University of the Arts who are expected to have a bright future, to works by graduates who are attracting attention as artists. Please enjoy the exhibition, which allows you to experience the “now” of each artist.
■ Overview of the special exhibition <br />Title of the special exhibition: “Geidai Art Plaza Art Award Winners Invitation Exhibition – The Stars of Geidai”
Venue: Geidai Art Plaza (Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, 12-8 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Date: August 17th (Sat) – October 20th (Sun), 2024
First term: August 17th (Sat) – September 15th (Sun), 2024
Second semester: September 21, 2024 (Sat) – October 20, 2024 (Sun)
*Closed from Monday, September 16th to Friday, September 20th due to exhibition change Admission fee: Free Opening hours: 10:00-18:00
Closed: Mondays
*Business days and times may change. Please check the official website or SNS for the latest information.
Later period : Rika Oshima, Shintaro Ogura, Moe Kato, Aimi Saito, Hinata Sugimoto, Yohei Chimura, Eri Nomura, Haruna Horiguchi, Tatsushi Mizushiro, Haruho Mitsuda, Yuya Yasukochi, and RO KIKO
What is Geidai Art Plaza?
The Tokyo University of the Arts (Geidai) has produced many top artists, and the gallery “Geidai Art Plaza” exhibits and sells works by faculty, students, and graduates of the university. It is one of the precious places on the Ueno campus of the university that is open to the public throughout the year. It began operation in 2018 as a collaborative project between Shogakukan and the university.
Currently, exhibitions with different themes are held every one or two months. Each special exhibition features 10 to 50 artists, who bring together works that are expressed using the diverse techniques and approaches unique to Tokyo University of the Arts, including oil painting, Japanese painting, sculpture, crafts, and design.
Inside the store, there is a permanent exhibition corner called “LIFE WITH ART” that focuses on art that fits into daily life, such as tableware and accessories, and a bookshelf that is linked to special exhibitions. During the store’s business hours, you can take a break with a cafe drink from the outdoor food truck “NoM cafe”.
Admission to the Tokyo University of the Arts Art Plaza is free. Taking photos and sharing them on social media is also welcome. We aim to be a place where anyone, not just art fans, can easily experience art.
Exhibition view of the permanent corner “LIFE WITH ART”
Geidai Art Plaza Basic Information
■ Access <br />Nearest station: JR Ueno Station (Park Exit) or Uguisudani Station, approx. 10-minute walk; Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, Nezu Station, approx. 10-minute walk; Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Ueno Station, approx. 15-minute walk; Keisei Electric Railway, Keisei Ueno Station, approx. 15-minute walk; Toei Bus, Kami26 (Kameido – Ueno Park), Yanaka bus stop, approx. 3-minute walk *Please note that there is no parking lot, so please do not come by car.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum “Listening to the Earth: Presence and Texture” Press Preview
We have received a report from Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum on the special exhibition “Listening to the Earth: Presence and Texture,” which opened on Saturday, July 20, 2024, so we would like to share it with you.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum’s special exhibition, “Listening to the Earth: Presence and Texture,” opened on Saturday, July 20th. The exhibition features works by five contemporary artists who are deeply connected to nature and continue to create, conveying the breath of the earth, which is difficult to hear in our human-centered lives. A press preview was held on Friday, July 19th, and the exhibition was open to the press. This article reports on the exhibition commentary by Ohashi Natsuko, the curator in charge of the exhibition, and the participating artists.
■ The feeling and texture of listening to the earth ■Saturday, July 20, 2024 to Wednesday, October 9, 2024
“Listening to the Earth: Presence and Texture” VenueCurator Natsuko Ohashi, in charge of this exhibition
Curator Natsuko Ohashi, who was in charge of this exhibition, explained the background of the project, saying, “Over the past dozen years, there have been many times when we have felt the convenience of living in a big city, along with its fragility, such as the Great East Japan Earthquake and the spread of COVID-19. In addition to feeling the fragility of the city, I also felt that nature was somewhat distant, and that my ability to sense not only the changing of the seasons, but also the state and changes of nature, was gradually weakening. This was the big trigger for me to proceed with the research,” and the exhibition features artists who have left big cities to sharpen their senses in nature and create their works.
The participating artists are five people who have a deep connection with nature in their work: Kawamura Kiichi, Furusaka Haruka, Mimoko Machiko, Kurashina Mitsuko, and Enomoto Yuichi.
Artist featured in this exhibition: Kiichi KawamuraExhibition Hall (Gallery C)
As you enter the exhibition hall (Gallery C) just after descending the escalator at the entrance, you will find an installation of photographs by Kiichi Kawamura in a high-ceilinged, open space. Born and raised in Tokyo, Kawamura (born in 1990) moved to the Shiretoko Peninsula in Hokkaido in 2017 and continues to work as an artist.
“It is a place known as a World Heritage Site. Brown bears, killer whales, and sometimes whales come here, and while it is rich in nature, it also lives in a very harsh environment. Rather than the so-called nature photography that puts the word “nature” in quotation marks, I create my work with the desire to express myself as a resident living there, feeling the local climate with my own skin,” he says. In the autumn of his second year after moving here, he obtained a hunting license and went into the mountains to hunt. Although he started out with a desire to learn more about nature and animals, at first he felt that he was not accepted by the forest and it was difficult to meet animals. If you do not understand the terrain and the ecology of the creatures living in that area, you cannot walk through the area or reach your prey.
“I live in Shiretoko because I’m conscious of the issues that you can’t feel or understand in the city, but rather than looking at the ecosystem from the outside through hunting, I want to be part of it, and link the spirituality and process of the act with the expression of photography.” (Kawamura)
The photographs printed on fabric capture Kawamura’s daily life, including his life with his Ainu dog Upashi, who is a member of his family, and the scenery of Shiretoko. Framed in wooden frames made in Hokkaido, the photographs are hung with ropes used for outdoor camping, forming the exhibition space. In consideration of the environment and respecting the architecture of the museum, no new walls were erected for the exhibition. The way the works are comfortably arranged in the space will be a fresh sight for viewers. The wooden frames are foldable. The artist himself packs them all into his car and transports them to the venue, where they are exhibited. After the exhibition ends, he folds them up again and drives them back to Shiretoko. This is probably also part of the process that Kawamura, who values the continuity of life, production, and exhibition, speaks of.
Artist featured in this exhibition: Furusaka HarukaExhibition Hall (Gallery C)
Woodblock artist Furusaka Haruka was born in Osaka Prefecture. After spending time in Finland, Norway and other parts of Northern Europe, she began working in Aomori in 2017, interviewing people who live in harmony with nature. This exhibition features three themes: the print series Duodji of Reindeer Mountain, which was created in response to her fascination with the handicrafts of the nomadic Sámi people of Northern Europe; Soma’s Boat and Voice of a Message, which were created after extensive research in the mountainous regions of Aomori and Minami-Tsugaru.
Furusaka sees the trees in his woodblock prints as a way to connect with nature. He says that this view was largely influenced by his first stay and production in a Sámi village in 2003. Since then, he has communicated with the Sámi villagers via e-mail and other means, gradually learning what it is like to live alongside the harsh natural environment.
“Reindeer Fur” was inspired by the Sámi people, who have long survived in regions where temperatures can reach minus 40 degrees Celsius by wearing reindeer fur. When they catch a reindeer, they use everything from the fur to the bones and tendons to survive. For Furusaka, woodblock prints are like reindeer to the Sámi. Making woodblock prints made him want to live like the Sámi and reindeer, so he started making prints by making use of the shape and grain of the solid wood and using dirt he picked up as paint. This was the beginning of the “Duoji of Reindeer Mountain” series.
In “Weaving,” people tie warp threads to trees in the forest, adjust the tension, and feel the lightness of doing handiwork in nature, as well as the comfort of being there. “I recorded their words about how to behave in nature and created my work,” he says.
In 2017, he turned his attention to Japan and began to visit Aomori to interview people who have lived with the harsh winter. For this exhibition, he produced a large woodblock print that matches the ceiling height of the venue. He was present from the felling of the wood for the printing block in the lacquer forest, and printed the new work using lacquer sap from Aomori and indigo that he grew himself. Not only the woodblock prints but also the printing blocks are exhibited at the venue, creating an exhibition space resembling an Aomori grove. In addition, natural materials such as lacquer sap, indigo, and soil that Furusaka uses as paint are also exhibited. In “Vessel that Makes Lines,” Aomori hiba is thinly coated with mud collected in Aomori. As it dries, it cracks little by little to create lines in the installation, and you can observe how it changes as the exhibition period progresses.
In addition, a video is being shown that records the process of creating woodblock prints in response to the nature of his hometown. From harvesting indigo in summer, cutting down wood in winter, collecting soil, to carving and printing, the video shows how closely his hometown is connected to nature, and how the process of creating woodblock prints, which begins with growing the materials, takes an enormous amount of time and effort. The video was shot by Kiichi Kawamura, a participating artist in this exhibition.
Artist featured in this exhibition: Machiko MiroExhibition Hall (Gallery A)
The atrium exhibition room on the floor below (Gallery A) is home to the dynamic world of Machiko Mimoko’s work. Born in Osaka Prefecture, Machiko Mimoko moved to Amami Oshima in 2019 after 11 years of work in Tokyo. An “island” has been created in the center of the exhibition space, and many of the works she created on Amami Oshima are on display around it.
Miroko Machiko says that because the people of Amami Oshima live in harmony with nature, they have a strong ability to sense it.
“I realized that I had no ability to sense nature at all. I thought that it would be very important to acquire that ability, so I started watching every day to see what kind of movements and changes were occurring, and the nature on the island was very bustling. The movements were like those of a living thing, and I perceived them as living things that cannot be seen with the naked eye and created them.” (Miroko)
The painting on the inside of the wall that forms the island was painted on-site over a period of four days. The outside is surrounded by original illustrations from the picture book “Invisible Dragon,” which was published in 2023.
“I would like people to experience the story of the Invisible Dragon before entering the exhibition. Everything influences each other. When the wind blows, waves form, and small waves wash ashore as spray. I was conscious of these connections, and I didn’t have a set goal in mind when I created the work; I improvised. I have expressed the world that I see from the island, so I would be happy if people can sense the hustle and bustle of nature.” (Miroko)
The floor of “Island” is dyed with mud. After moving to Amami Oshima about five years ago, Miroco has come to realize that the natural materials of the island, which give her the energy of the earth, suit what she wants to express.
The video of the live painting “Umi-Matou,” which depicts the “buzz of light” in the forests of Amami Oshima, can also be viewed in a hut set up in a corner of the venue.
“When I paint outdoors, I receive the movement of the wind, the changes in light, and a lot of energy, and I express it instantaneously. The thing that is shaped by these things begins to look like a living thing. It is what is shaped as a living thing, and I feel that it is important for me to paint what I receive from my surroundings as if I am imprinting it on my body.” (Miroko)
For the people of Amami Oshima, mountains and forests are sacred places where gods reside. Rather than just entering the forest, Miroco says, “I just walked in at the entrance. The forest is full of roots and stones, so it’s hard to move around. I was overwhelmed with things I wanted to paint, but I think the pictures that emerged were like a conflict that I couldn’t paint. I took apart the clothes I was wearing during the creation process and used them as canvases or in other works, so they are connected to the original.” (Miroko)
The exterior walls of the hut in the video are also painted with a dye from a plant called hikagehengo, which grows abundantly in Amami.
Artist featured in this exhibition: Mitsuko KurashinaExhibition Hall (Gallery B)
Mitsuko Kurashina, whose works are on display at Gallery B, was born in Aomori Prefecture and currently lives in Tokyo. She began drawing botanical illustrations in 2001.
Observing the changes in plant habitats caused by the tsunami following the Great East Japan Earthquake (2011), he has been making regular visits to the affected areas since 2013, painting the vegetation in watercolors. This exhibition features two botanical paintings of the Kanto region that he created when he was unable to visit the disaster-stricken areas, as well as 15 paintings he created during his research in Iwate, Fukushima, and Miyagi prefectures.
The numbers in the titles of the works are the latitude and longitude where the plants depicted were located. Kurashina says this is very important because she wanted to “suggest that the place actually exists, while at the same time depicting a scene that was only visible at that time.” By carefully observing and drawing each of the plants, which she has named “tsunami plants,” Kurashina explains, “I will explore what happened in that place and why the plants took root there; whether the seeds of the plants were carried there by the tsunami, sprouted due to the stirring up of the soil, or were carried there by heavy machinery during reconstruction work.”
Works in progress are also on display. For this exhibition, Kurashina has put a lot of effort into creating a white wisteria. The wisteria we know generally has vines that grow upwards, entangle the wisteria trellis, and drooping flowers. However, this wisteria has vines that creep along the ground, grow leaves, and bloom white flowers. In 2016, Kurashina had the opportunity to see a photo of white wisteria creeping along the ground, and she was determined to paint it, so she went to the site to investigate, and began painting last year. It is rare for white flowers to bloom on the ground. Kurashina believes that it must take a lot of energy to make them bloom. It is also a rare opportunity to be able to see the work in progress.
Yuichi Enomoto Exhibition Hall (Gallery B)Yuichi Enomoto Exhibition Hall (Gallery B)
Yuichi Enomoto (born in 1974) was born and raised in Tokyo, and since 2018 has had an atelier in Nemuro, Hokkaido, and since this year he has also had an atelier in Itoigawa, Niigata, where he creates his works.
This exhibition features oil paintings based on the landscapes of Nemuro and a new work titled “Frost”, which uses aluminum panels to resemble ice.
When viewed from a distance, Swamp and Trees appears to be a black and white abstract painting, but when viewed up close, trees become visible in the black canvas.
Curator Ohashi conveyed Enomoto’s words, “I remember feeling surprised, happy, and also scared at the sudden scene that appeared in the deep forest where no one was around and no one ever came,” and introduced the work as one that captured the nature that Enomoto encountered — piled up white snow — with a fresh sensibility. Because it is a work simply carved in black and white, it has room for viewers to freely connect it to their own memories and expand their imaginations.
Meanwhile, the ten new pieces in the series “Frost”, which are painted on aluminium panels, capture the expressions created by snow caused by the strong winds coming from the sea.
“Even if you don’t have the experience of walking on ice, the many pieces lined up create a space that feels like you’re surrounded by ice,” says curator Ohashi. The 10 pieces lined up make you imagine the countless beautiful shapes woven by nature in Nemuro in winter. Incidentally, the last small piece on display shows animal footprints on the snow. At first glance, it is a quiet, monochrome world, but it expresses the presence of living things and the sparkle of life that Enomoto felt in Nemuro.
At the end of the exhibition, there is a work that represents spring. It is a vessel-shaped work with the motif of Corydalis ambiguus, a perennial plant found in Hokkaido that blooms from April to May. It is a new work created by Enomoto at the end of the exhibition.
Next to it is a slideshow of photos taken by Enomoto as reference material for his work, showing the change of seasons from spring in Nemuro. Not only does it fully convey the fresh sensations that Enomoto felt when he was fascinated by Nemuro, which offers a completely different landscape from Tokyo, but it is also interesting that it includes photos that are closely related to the works on display, such as a landscape on a frozen lake and Corydalis ambiguus flowers.
As you wander through the space, where a variety of works by five contemporary artists are on display, including photography, woodblock prints, oil paintings, watercolors, and installations, you will be inspired to awaken the sense of connection with nature that humans have innately, but which we often forget.
The exhibition catalogue is accompanied by a piece of mud-dyed cloth made on Amami Oshima.
It is made in the same workshop that produces the mud dyeing used by participating artist Machiko Miroko in her work.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum “Listening to the Earth: Presence and Texture” Press Preview
Photo by Wataru Suzuki
Exhibition details: Exhibition title: Listening to the Earth: Presence and Texture
The Whispering Land: Artists in Correspondence with Nature
●Period: July 20, 2024 (Saturday) to October 9, 2024 (Wednesday)
●Venue Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Galleries A, B, and C
●Closed on Mondays, September 17th (Tues), September 24th (Tues) *Open on August 12th (Mon. holiday), September 16th (Mon. holiday), September 23rd (Mon. holiday)●Opening hours 9:30am-5:30pm, 9:30am-8pm on Fridays *Last entry 30 minutes before closing●Admission fee: 1,100 yen for adults, 700 yen for university and vocational school students, 800 yen for those 65 and over, free for high school students and younger*For details on discounts, such as the Summer Night Museum Discount, please visit the official exhibition website.
●Organizers: Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum ●Special cooperation: Tsugawa Co., Ltd. ●Cooperation: Hokureki LLC, Mishimasha Co., Ltd., Gallery Camellia, Aomori Contemporary Art Center, Aomori Public University ●Contact: Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum 03-3823-6921
For the latest information on events, please visit the official exhibition website. https://www.tobikan.jp/daichinimimi
"Resol Gallery Ueno" art gallery in the living lobby of the tourist hotel "Hotel Resol Ueno" (Dates: Thursday, August 1, 2024 to Saturday, August 31, 2024, free admission)
Hotel Resol Ueno, a tourist hotel under the Resol Hotels brand operated by Resol Co., Ltd., will hold a special exhibition of five works by artist Yoko Sekine at the art gallery in the living lobby, Resol Gallery Ueno, from August 1, 2024. The event will run from Thursday, August 1st to Saturday, August 31st.
As part of the hotel's efforts to become a part of the Ueno area, where art and the downtown area coexist in harmony, Hotel Resol Ueno has opened an art gallery in the living lobby called "Resol Gallery Ueno," which showcases up-and-coming artists who are promoting the culture of the future. In February of this year, we started an initiative to utilize the space as a place for travelers to meet new people. Since then, it has become a place where not only guests but also the general public can experience the sensibilities and works of up-and-coming artists. It is also enjoyed by people who are not familiar with the subject.
The fourth artist, Hiroko Sekine, completed her master’s degree at the Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School. In 1988, she exhibited at the National Exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, and in 2007, she was recommended as an associate member of the Kokugakai Association. She has gained experience in being recommended as a member of the Kokugakai, and is currently holding solo exhibitions mainly at Ginza Gallery Azuma. Last year, in 2023, she held the "FU-FU Exhibition" with her husband, Koji Ogawa. He is currently actively working as a lecturer at Yokohama Seifu High School.
The works on display this time include "Rendezvous I" and "Rendezvous II" (2022), which are two pieces that form one painting, "Summer Bouquet" (2023), "Flower Camellia" (2023), and "Red – "Hydrangea" (2023) and other works feature striking, colorful flowers.
At Risol Hotels, we will continue to weave irreplaceable travel stories through hotel operations that thoroughly meet the needs of all travelers (tourists).
Event Overview｜
Date: August 1st (Thursday) – August 31st (Saturday), 2024
Artist: Yoko Sekine
Admission fee: Free *People other than hotel guests are welcome to drop by.
Opening hours: [Hotel guests] Open 24 hours. / [Non-hotel guests] 10:00-20:00
Exhibited works:
"Rendezvous I" (left) "Rendezvous II" (right) (2022 Oil on cotton panel, 1260 x 297 cm)
A series of works. Even when we meet, our eyes somehow don't meet.
But I know the feeling
"Summer Bouquet" (2023 Oil on cotton panel F4)
Girl with a bouquet of summer flowers
"Flower: Camellia" (2023 Oil on cotton panel F3)
Arranging white camellias among Japanese motifs
" Vermilion Hydrangea" (2023 Oil on cotton panel F3)
Contrasting blue hydrangeas on a vermilion background
Profile: Hiroko Sekine
1986 Graduated from the Department of Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts
1988 Completed master's program at Tokyo University of the Arts, Graduate School of Fine Arts
1988 Exhibited at the National Exhibition (Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo)
2007 Recommended as an associate member of the Kokugakai
2012 Recommended as a member of the Kokugakai
Solo Exhibitions
1988 Solo Exhibition (Gallery Hinoki, Ginza, Tokyo)
1990 Solo Exhibition (Ginza Surugadai Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo)
1992 Solo Exhibition (Ginza Surugadai Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo)
2010 Solo Exhibition (AC Gallery)
2018 Solo Exhibition (Ginza Gallery Azuma, Ginza, Tokyo)
2021 Solo Exhibition (Ginza Gallery Azuma, Ginza, Tokyo)
Group Exhibition
2011 Bijusaikai (Ichibata Department Store, Matsue)
National Painting Women's Exhibition (Ginza Surugadai Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo) until 2023
2013 Kokugakai New Members Exhibition (Ginza Inoue Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo)
2019 Koji Ogawa and Yoko Sekine Two-person Exhibition (Gallery Pictor, Kamakura, Kanagawa)
2020 HOPE Exhibition (Gallery Pictor, Kamakura, Kanagawa)
2021 Amusement Exhibition, scheduled to be exhibited until 2025 (Ginza Gallery Himawari, Ginza, Tokyo)
2023 FU-FU Exhibition Koji Ogawa x Yoko Sekine (Ginza Gallery Azuma, Ginza, Tokyo)
Currently a member of the Kokugakai and a lecturer at Yokohama Seifu High School.
About "Resol Gallery Ueno"
Resol Gallery Ueno, an art gallery located in the living lobby of Hotel Resol Ueno, exhibits a variety of art by up-and-coming artists that embody their passion and skills.
The artistic experience unique to Ueno, a city of academia, offers travelers a spice that is different from a simple hotel stay.
The gallery alternates between special and permanent exhibitions every other month, providing new discoveries and opportunities for growth every time you visit.
[About the special exhibition]
"Resol Gallery Ueno" provides a free gallery space for up-and-coming artists to exhibit their work.
"Works that evoke images of travel, travelers, or travel destinations," "Works that evoke images of downtown culture, customs, and history," "Works that exude an academic atmosphere," "Works that soothe the viewer's soul and inspire new discoveries," etc. We will create opportunities for customers to encounter a variety of works.
<Contact information for those interested in exhibiting>
Tel: 03-5325-9269 (Contact: Ito)
Email: ka.ito@resol.jp
[About the permanent exhibition]
(From left)
The Sun and the Moon (2020, Keita Shimizu, acrylic paint on wooden panel, set of 2)
Panda (2020 Masaru Ishikawa and Keita Shimizu, acrylic paint on resin figure)
EDO, rotated 90° (2020 Keita Shimizu, printed on canvas)
Ueno (2020 Keita Shimizu, acrylic paint on wooden panel)
Profile: Keita Shimizu
Designer, design consultant
Born in Tokyo in 1974.
After graduating from the Master's program at the Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts, he began working as a designer based in Milan.
His inclusive designs, born from the global values he developed during his childhood in the United States and his life as a designer in Italy, have been highly praised both at home and abroad. He also handles concept development and corporate design for companies.
Overview of "Hotel Resol Ueno"
◇Location: 7-2-9 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Access: 1 minute walk from JR Ueno Station, Asakusa Exit or Iriya Exit
◇Structure: Steel frame [10 floors above ground]
◇Number of rooms: 115 rooms [107 Modernettes (semi-double) / 8 Twin rooms]
◇Official website: https://www.resol-hotel.jp/ueno/
It has been decided that the traveling exhibition “The Great Van Gogh Exhibition” (sponsored by Sankei Shimbun and others), which brings together masterpieces by the painter Vincent van Gogh (1853-90), will be held at the Ueno Royal Museum in Taito Ward, Tokyo. Masterpieces from the Kröller-Muller Museum in the Netherlands, which boasts one of the world’s leading collections of Van Gogh’s works, will be exhibited in two parts.
【Official website】 https://grand-van-gogh.com/
This exhibition will travel in two parts, starting in Kobe and then Fukushima and Tokyo. It was planned as a project to mark the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in Kobe and the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake in Fukushima.
The highlight of the first period is “Café Terrace at Night,” which will be shown in Japan for the first time in about 20 years. In addition, about 60 works by Van Gogh, including “Self-Portrait,” from his early Dutch period to his time in Arles, when he produced many masterpieces, will be on display, as well as masterpieces by contemporary Impressionist masters such as Claude Monet and Auguste Renoir from the museum’s collection.
The highlight of the second phase, showcasing his career from his time in Arles to his later years, is The Drawbridge at Arles, known as a Dutch treasure, which will tour to Tokyo in 2027.
“Café terrace at night”
This masterpiece depicts a cafe terrace in a square in the southern French city of Arles. The vivid contrast between the evening darkness and the cafe lights is stunning, with flat colors and dynamic brushstrokes.
The Drawbridge at Arles
Along with “Café Terrace at Night,” this is one of Vincent Van Gogh’s greatest masterpieces. It is considered a national treasure of the Netherlands and is rarely loaned outside the country, so this is the first time it has been shown in Japan in about 70 years. The impressive blue of the sky and water demonstrates Vincent Van Gogh’s skilled technique.
■Kröller-Muller Museum This museum is located in De Hoge Veluwe National Park in the province of Gelderland in the Netherlands. It houses and exhibits one of the world’s greatest collections of Van Gogh’s works, including approximately 90 oil paintings and 180 drawings.
■ “The Great Van Gogh Exhibition” Tokyo Venue Overview Venue: Ueno Royal Museum (1-2 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo)
Period: 1st period/May 29, 2026 (Friday) to August 12, 2026 (Wednesday)
Second period: October 2027 to January 2028 (to be announced after the period is finalized)
Organized by: Sankei Shimbun, TBS, TBS Gloudia, Hakuhodo DY Media Partners, The Ueno Royal Museum
Tour Information 1st Period Kobe Venue: Kobe City Museum September 20, 2025 (Sat) – February 1, 2026 (Sun)
Fukushima Venue: Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art February 21st (Sat) – May 10th (Sun), 2026
Second Kobe venue: Kobe City Museum February to May 2027 (to be announced once the event is confirmed)
Fukushima Venue: Fukushima Prefectural Museum of Art June 19th (Sat) – September 26th (Sun) 2027
The National Museum of Nature and Science will hold a special exhibition “Alpine Plants – The Diversity of Unreachable Flowers and the Connection of Life” from Tuesday, July 30th to Monday, November 4th, 2024 (holiday), as detailed below.
[Detailed URL: https://www.kahaku.go.jp/event/2024/07alpineplants/ ]
Poster for the special exhibition “Alpine Plants – The Diversity of Unreachable Flowers and the Connection of Life” ①Special exhibition “Alpine plants – the diversity of unattainable flowers and the connections between life” poster②
The diverse forms and ecology of alpine plants that adorn the mountains in summer, as well as their connections with other living things, are introduced through numerous specimens and other materials, along with scientific knowledge. The museum also explains the current critical situation of alpine plants and conservation efforts. Learn about the diversity of alpine plants and experience their charm through powerful images and a immersive exhibition hall.
Event summary
Special exhibition “Alpine plants – the diversity of unattainable flowers and the connections between life”
[Location] National Museum of Nature and Science (Ueno Park, Tokyo)
Japan Pavilion 1st floor Special Exhibition Room and Central Hall (until September 1st)
[Event period] July 30th (Tuesday) to November 4th (Monday, closed), 2024 (Reiwa 6)
[Opening hours] 9:00-17:00 * Until 18:00 from August 10th (Sat) to August 15th (Thu) * Admission is available until 30 minutes before each closing time
[Closed] Mondays (Tuesdays if Monday is a public holiday)
*However, the museum will be open on August 5th (Monday), 13th (Tuesday), 19th (Monday), 26th (Monday), and October 7th (Monday).
[Admission fee] Adults and university students: 630 yen (510 yen for groups), high school students and younger and those aged 65 and older: Free *This exhibition can be viewed with the admission fee for the permanent exhibition only *Groups of 20 or more people *For details on admission, please see our website https://www.kahaku.go.jp/
[Organizer] National Museum of Nature and Science [Sponsor] Montbell [Cooperation] Iwate University Faculty of Agriculture Agricultural Education Museum, Ministry of the Environment, Omachi City Mountain Museum, Sugawa Chonosuke Memorial Association, Nagano Prefecture Environmental Conservation Research Institute, Japan Association of Botanical Gardens, Hakubakan, Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden, Hokkaido University Botanical Garden and Museum, Hokkaido University Archives, Postal Museum
・Exhibition introduction
Chapter 1: What are alpine plants? <br />First, we will introduce the characteristics of alpine plants, including their morphology and ecology. Plants that live in harsh alpine environments have developed a variety of survival strategies to adapt to the environment. Furthermore, alpine plants occupy an important position in the alpine ecosystem and live in close association with other organisms, and we will introduce some examples of this.
Dicentra (Photo: National Museum of Nature and Science)
Chapter 2: The diversity of Japan’s alpine plants <br />The Japanese archipelago is long from north to south and is very undulating. It has climates ranging from subtropical to subarctic, and is home to a truly diverse range of plants. In particular, from central Honshu to Hokkaido, areas where alpine plants grow are scattered like islands. Furthermore, in areas with special geology, there are many endemic species that grow only in certain places, further enriching the diversity of Japan’s alpine plants.
Hayatine snowdrop (Photo: National Museum of Nature and Science)Kitadakesou (Photo: National Museum of Nature and Science)
Chapter 3: Research on Alpine Plants <br />This chapter introduces research on alpine plants, focusing on people involved in early research in Japan and representative mountain regions. Please look at valuable specimens, documents, photographs, etc. Furthermore, as research into the diversity of alpine plants has made great progress in recent years, this chapter will also introduce the results of that research and new initiatives.
Tsukumogusa (Photo: National Museum of Nature and Science)
Chapter 4: The current state of alpine plants and efforts to protect their diversity <br />The wonderful diversity of alpine plants is in grave danger. Changes are already occurring in alpine vegetation due to the effects of climate change. Many flower fields have disappeared due to damage caused by deer. In response to this situation, attempts are being made to protect and restore vegetation in native habitats. Additionally, at places such as Tsukuba Botanical Garden, conservation efforts are being made outside of their native habitat, focusing on endangered species.
Chapter 5 How to Enjoy Alpine Plants <br />After learning about alpine plants through this exhibition, be sure to go out and observe them. We will introduce some recommended spots in Japan where you can observe alpine plants. Also, if you travel overseas, you can enjoy fantastical alpine plants that cannot be seen in Japan. We will also introduce things to keep in mind when observing plants. Enjoy alpine plants from various angles.
Bonbori tohiren (Photo: National Museum of Nature and Science)Urupsou (Photo: National Museum of Nature and Science)
・Exhibition Supervisor
Plant Diversity Analysis and Conservation Group, Plant Research Department, Research Director Yoshinori Murai
His fields of expertise are plant science, chemical ecology, and environmental adaptability. He mainly studies alpine plants, focusing on the diversity and functions of their chemical components, as well as their environmental adaptability mechanisms. He also serves as collection manager for the Specimen Resource Center, and cultivates over 100 species of alpine plants he has collected at the Tsukuba Botanical Garden, while also working on ex situ conservation, such as developing methods for cultivating and propagating endangered species.
The National Museum of Nature and Science will be holding a KAHKA NEWS exhibition, “Marimo in our homes!? – An investigation into marimo found in household aquariums,” from Wednesday, July 17th to Sunday, September 1st, 2024.
The press release issued by the museum on March 27th of this year, “Motosumarimimo found again, growing only in aquariums in private homes,” was widely covered by many media outlets. The museum’s researchers called for information on similar cases through newspapers and television coverage, which also received a great response, and information was sent to the museum from all over Japan, and actual samples that appeared to be “Marimo” were also sent. Analysis revealed that these samples contained not only Motosumarimimo, but all Marimo species known in Japan (5 taxonomic groups), and various new knowledge was gained. In addition to displaying the aquariums, the museum will introduce the Marimo species, display a list of photos of aquariums where Marimo were found from all over the country, and introduce the research on Marimo that the museum’s researchers have conducted at the Fuji Five Lakes.
[Event period] Wednesday, July 17th to Sunday, September 1st, 2024
[Venue] National Museum of Nature and Science (7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo) 1st floor open space in the Global Gallery [Organizer] National Museum of Nature and Science
Exhibition Overview
The exhibition consists of three zones:
① Marimo’s friends <br />In this survey, we found all of the Marimo’s friends (5 taxonomic groups) that have been known in Japan until now. We will introduce their characteristics with illustrations.
② Scenery with Marimo <br />After the second case of Motosu Marimo was found this year, the museum called on various media for information about marimo in aquariums, and received 46 pieces of information. Of these, 26 people sent samples, which were examined by the museum, and it was found that all five groups of marimo had been found in home aquariums. Until the beginning of this year, there had only been two reported cases in Japan, but in less than three months, over 20 cases have been reported. Many new findings have also been obtained, such as the discovery of Tateyama Marimo, which is thought to have originated from a spring-fed area in Tokyo.
Marimo friends sent from all over the countryHousehold aquarium in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture
③ Marimo research at our museum <br />Our museum’s research into marimo began in 1956 (Showa 31) when Yoshinari Kameda, a third-grader at the time, collected and cultivated marimo from Yamanakako Village, which were then brought to our museum 50 years later. This story was published in a picture book titled “Marimo of Mt. Fuji” (Fukuinkan Shoten). This prompted a joint academic research into marimo in Lake Yamanaka between our museum and the Yamanakako Village Board of Education in 2013. Following the discovery of Motosu Marimo in Kofu in 2022, Kawasaki in 2024, and this time in the aquarium, we have now begun research into the entire Fuji Five Lakes region, as well as river research in the Kanto area.
press release Publication of “Marimo of Lake Yamanaka (Report on the Survey of Fuji Marimo Habitat in Lake Yamanaka Village)” – Lake Yamanaka’s Marimo once again show a declining trend – is global warming the cause? – (March 31, 2021) https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000232.000047048.html
