Keio Museum Commons will hold an exhibition of the Seiichirō Takahashi Ukiyo-e Collection, which was collected by the economist and former acting president of Keio University. In this second showing of the collection, we focus on two of the most important ukiyo-e artists of the late Edo period, KITAGAWA Utamaro and TŌSHŪSAI Sharaku. The exhibition showcases the ukiyo-e works of Utamaro, who was a master of bijin-ga (portraits of beautiful women) or “beauties,” and Sharaku, who was renowned for his yakusha-e (portraits of actors), with related materials by their publisher, TSUTAYA Jūzaburō. The exhibition will also feature works by other artists active during the same period. We invite visitors to enjoy the artistic “contest” between elegance enigma.

Concept
This special exhibition showcases the works of two renowned ukiyo-e artists, KITAGAWA Utamaro and TŌSHŪSAI Sharaku, through Keio University’s Seiichirō Takahashi Ukiyo-e Collection. Utamaro’s exquisite portraits of women invite us to dream of the fleeting elegance of Edo-period beauties. Meanwhile, Sharaku’s strikingly bold and unconventional actor prints challenge us to decipher the hidden emotions of the enigmatic artist himself. The exhibition also features works by their contemporaries and highlights the role of the influential publisher TSUTAYA Jūzaburō. Step into this space and experience the world of Edo-period ukiyo-e in all its splendor.

Related Programming

Workshops
KeMCo has put together multiple accompanying events for this exhibition.

Experience Handling Ukiyo-e ! Object-Based Learning Workshop (provisional title)
Date｜August 1 (Fri.),　Session 1: 10:30–12:00/Session 2: 13:00–14:30

Workshop for International Students (provisional title)
Date & Time｜July 15 (Tue.), 14:00–16:30

Gallery Talks
Gallery talks will be given by the curatorial staff.
The event is open to the general public. There is no fee to attend, but a reservation is required.
Dates｜June 25 (Wed.), July 1 (Tue.), July 18 (Fri.), August 4 (Mon.), 12:00–12:45
Venue｜Keio Museum Commons (Mita Campus East Annex)

Main Exhibits

1．KITAGAWA Utamaro (Illustration), Women Taking a Night’s Lodging (Triptick), Late Edo Period, Large format multi-colou r woodblock print. (1st half only)
2．TŌSHŪSAI Sharaku (Illustration), The Actors Sawamura Sojuro III as Nagoya Sanza and Segawa Kikunojo as the Courtesan Katsuragi, 1794 (Kansei 6), Large format multi-colour woodblock print. (1st half only)
3．TŌSHŪSAI Sharaku (Illustration), The Actor Ichikawa Komazō III as the Villain Shiga Daishichi, 1794 (Kansei 6), Large format multi-colour woodblock print. (1st half only)
4．TŌSHŪSAI Sharaku (Illustration), Actor Matsumoto Yonesaburō as Shinobu, Who is Disguised as Kewaizaka Shōshō, 1794 (Kansei 6), Large format multi-colour woodblock print. (2nd half only)

*1, 2: Keio University Collection

*3, 4: Private Collection

Concurrent Exhibition

 Keio Museum Commons, East Annex Stair Landing, Keio University Mita Campus

Organized by Keio Museum Commons and the Mita Media Center (Keio University Library).

Cooperated by MAYUYAMA & CO., LTD.