What exactly is the nature of a child? Adorable and pure. Free yet bearing a sense of fragility. These perceptions of children are, in many ways, discoveries that were made anew in the modern era. The Meiji period saw the establishment of schools, leading to the development of children’s education. By the Taisho period, a distinct children’s culture had been established, including children’s magazines and nursery rhymes, and many cultural figures, such as authors and composers, turned their attention to children.

In this climate, many modern painters also began to observe and depict children in their works—as symbols of purity, expressions of youthful vitality, or as beloved family members. Numerous works featuring children are also housed in the Museum Collection. This Special Display, centered on paintings themed around children, will reflect on the “gaze towards children” in the modern era

2025 Collection Room