Exhibitions 2024

Exhibition Date: Wednesday November 13th ~ Saturday December 7th, 2024
Gallery Hours: Wed~Sat, 12PM~6PM Closed Sun~Tue
 
Dragon and Snake, the Zodiac signs of 2024 and 2025 respectively, are similar in their appearances but when it comes to their popularity, dragons have a slight edge over snakes. Unlike mythical Asian dragons that are often worshipped, most of us would back off upon encountering a snake in mountains and fields. At the same time, white snakes have always been considered to be the god’s messenger while those born in the Year of Snake are said to be blessed with financial luck. This makes snakes more of creatures to be appreciated rather than loathed and　feared.
 
As in every year, we asked artists to create zodiac-themed senga lucky charms for 2025. Each artist has created his/her work sprinkled with a cute, cheerful atmosphere that prompts viewers to perceive snakes in a friendlier light. Comparing to previous years, this year’s exhibition features more artworks depicting not just snakes but also good luck bags, magic mallets, treasure boats and other lucky items.
Please enjoy the exhibition while wishing for a prosperous 2025 and praying to Snake, the zodiac sign associated with financial luck.
 

Exhibition Date: Wednesday October 9th ~ Saturday November 2th, 2024
Gallery Hours: Wed~Sat, 12PM~6PM Closed Sun~Tue
 
I was at flatbakery, my favorite bread shop, when a question – what would it be like to make a senga bread? – popped up. The first image that came to my mind was that of a ubiquitous meal-table setting with bread. While it should work just fine to make a decent motif for senga, I thought we may end up with too many similar-looking artworks.
As we all know, bread has always been an important staple food that human life depended on. In the West, it has a significant meaning in the Christian religion. There are Asian countries including India and others that consume not just rice but also bread as a staple food. Or, as in Grimm’s “Hendel and Gretel,” bread is also seen playing an important role in many stories.
As I turned over in my mind about the significance of bread in different cultures, I came to think that it might be interesting to recreate something as ordinary and unassuming as one’s favorite bread in senga. I hope you will enjoy each artist’s unique interpretation of bread.
 

Exhibition Date: Wednesday June 12th ~ June 29th, 2024
Gallery Hours: Wed~Sat, 12PM~6PM Closed Sun~Tue
 
n expectation of upcoming summer season, we chose “Waves” to be the theme for this exhibition.
Most of us are likely to picture beaches and oceans in our mind when we hear the word “summer”. There have been many masterpiece paintings in history depicting seas and waves. As such, Hokusai Katsushika’s The Great Wave Off Kanagawa comes to mind. That being said, there are other “waves” around us such as a wave of people, a wave of emotions, brain waves, wave motions and sound waves.
A wave is defined as “propagation of disturbances from place to place in a regular, organic way.” Within a wave, there are many “things” and “movements” that form constantly changing shapes. For this exhibition, artists have created different kinds of waves using senga techniques.
As summer approaches, and with more occasions to venture outside, we’ll have increased opportunities to see and enjoy summer sceneries in upcoming days.
The actual ocean waves, waves of clouds in the sky and a wave of people you may encounter in popular resorts this summer. Perhaps you will enjoy them more after seeing the senga works in this exhibition.
Thank you very much for joining us for the exhibition.
 

Exhibition Date: Wednesday May 8th ~ Saturday Jun 1st, 2024
Gallery Hours: Wed~Sat, 12PM~6PM Closed Sun~Tue
 
Hot springs have long been enjoyed by people around the world. The Roman Baths, health resorts in Switzerland and the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa in Iceland, just to name a few. Hot springs are also loved by many wild animals as well.
The Japanese hot springs known as onsen feature, when compared to other hot springs in the world, more bathing/lodging facilities and offer a wider variety of hot springs for people to enjoy such as local hot springs, hiyu - literally meaning secret hot springs - hidden deep in the mountains, the scenic hot springs with a beautiful ocean view and relaxing traditional health spas called touji.
In this exhibition, the participating senga artists were asked to recreate the images of hot springs that come to their mind.
From fond onsen memories and a dream onsen trip to onsen-loving monkeys and sumptuous onsen dining, many Japanese feel the sense of nostalgia and longing when it comes to onsen.
I hope you will enjoy the exhibition and feel the charm and vibe of Japanese hot springs.
 

Exhibition Date: Wednesday March 13th ~ Saturday April 6th, 2024
Gallery Hours: Wed~Sat, 12PM~6PM Closed Sun~Tue
 
The theme for the first exhibition of the 2024 season is “Sakura – Cherry Blossoms.” We have hosted many spring-themed exhibitions in the past around this time of the year such as “Scent of Spring” and “Pink,” both providing artists an ideal opportunity to feature cherry blossoms in their work. The latest exhibition - “Sakura – Cherry Blossoms - marks the first cherry blossom-themed exhibition we’ve held since “Sakura Hira Hira – Fluttering Cherry Blossoms” in 2006.
Cherry blossoms hold a special place among the people of Japan. They turn a monochromatic winter landscape into a colorful spring day in a flash… It’s the splendor of varying pink shades that speak straight to the hearts of Japanese people. For many of them, spring means a new beginning. I believe the combination of this particular sentiment towards spring and the viewers’ personal spring-time memories is what makes cherry blossoms so special in Japan.
The images of cherry blossoms from the school graduation ceremony (Note: In Japan, schools end in March) and cherry blossom-lined streets back in the old hometown. Memories of cherry blossom viewing in the park at night…
For this exhibition, I asked the artists to create the images of cherry blossoms that remain vivid in their memories.
I hope you’ll enjoy the cherry blossoms presented in this exhibition along with the actual cherry blossoms blooming in nearby Mizumoto Park.