The Museum Collection currently consists of approximately 4,200 works of Kyoto modern art comprising Japanese paintings, Western-style paintings, sculpture, prints, crafts, and calligraphy. In particular, the Collection includes masterpieces representative of Japanese painting made by Kyoto artists between the Meiji and Showa periods, making it one of the leading collections of such works in Japan.

Inagaki Toshijiro (1902-1963), an artist who was designated as a Living National Treasure for his stencil dyeing, created elaborately designed works one after another within the limitations of the traditional production methods he followed. Inagaki’s works show not only a high level of technical perfection, such as the skillful incorporation of tsuri (“bridges” that connect different designs and designs to the stencil frame) into the design; they also reveal a sense of playfulness, as seen in the artist’s inclusion of dye rubbings, blots and other chance elements that occur during the production process. This special display focuses on Inagaki’s works newly acquired by the Museum through a donation. The exhibition will also unlock the depth of stencil dyeing and its appeal through the artist’s outstanding individual expression and playful mind.

2023 Schedule