*Exhibiting at 1F deux

*Exhibiting at 1F deux Opening Party: May 3rd (Sat) 17:00-

The exhibition features 100 participants, each one of them will present a 30-second production using a sound box. *Exhibiting at KAVC gallery

The exhibition features rooftop tiles from the middle ages, swords from the Kamakura period, paintings and textiles from the Edo period, and coins from ancient China. Art Talk 1: April 26th (Sat) 14:00- Art Talk 2: May 16th (Sat) 14:00-

The "100 scenes of Naniwa" is a series of multicolored prints and is the most comprehensive of Osaka prints. The three artists who created these series are said to have worked on it during the Ansei period. The prints of Edo-based Hokusai and Hiroshige have proved more popular, but this series depicts the "water metropolis" of Osaka, since old times operating as an important site of land and water traffic around the Yodogawa river area and renown for its multitudes of bridges and canals. Visitors can experience the masterfully composed images from the merchant capital, the vivid scenes of markets and stores, the detailed and rich panorama of Osaka customs and atmosphere not too distant from the city of today. [Image: Yoshiyuki Nansuitei "Kichisuke Botan-sakari"]

Ryouhei Koiso was asked by the Japan Bible Society to provide accompanying images for a publication of the Bible in 1971. Although 70 scenes from the Bible were suggested, it was up to Koiso to decide which scene to be used for creating the images. This exhibition showcases his 32 watercolor paintings and 43 sketches. Multiple sketches created for single scenes reveal Koiso's ideas for composition and methodology. Alongside the works, the exhibition includes panels displays of the appropriate Bible stories. [Image: Ryouhei Koiso "The Students of Astrology, Supplication to Jesus" (1970)]

This exhibition features rugs from the "Orient," focusing mostly on the dye techniques. *Exhibiting at the New Wing [Image: "Turkish (Anadol) Rug"]

*Exhibiting at the Main Building Art Talk: May 4th (Sun) 14:00- Slide Presentation: Every 2nd and 4th Sunday 14:00- [Image: "Amida Portrait" (detailed view) (Korai period: 918-1392) 133.3x58.9cm]

The Ashiya City Museum of Art & History currently maintains a collection of about 1400 works. The works mostly concentrate on those by local artists. This exhibition focuses especially on Shizan Uera's calligraphy works (1926-95), Kousai Yamada's Nihonga (1906-97), and Émile Antoine Bourdelle's relief works (1861-1929). *Exhibiting at Exhibition Room 2 [Image: Kosai Yamada "Sanboukan" (early 1970s) courtesy of the museum]

The exhibition celebrates the 120th anniversary since the artists Kagaku Murakami and Shonan Mizukoshi were born. Nanga is a type of painting that was established during 18th century Japan. Since then, countless artists have adopted the style, especially from the mid-Edo period to the early Showa period. The exhibition aims to discover the similarity that occurs between these paintings through a display of about 190 works by approximately 70 artists. Part I: April 22nd - May 18th Part II: May 20th - June 9th Art Talk: April 27th (Sun) 14:00-15:30 Art Talk: May 17th (Sat) 14:00-15:30 Children's Workshop: May 25th (Sun) 10:30-15:30 [Image: Keisen Tomita "Uji River Scroll" (detail) (1915) courtesy of The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga]

During the 20th century, rejecting the corset brought a dramatic change in female fashion culture. As a result, female bodies were released and their clothes became simplified and functional. This exhibition introduces a revolutionary aspect of leading designers Paul Poiret and Mariano Fortuny, featuring about 40 dresses designed by them around 1910, along with textiles and fashion plates. Part I: April 17th (Thu) - May 27th (Tue) Part II: May 29th (Thu) - July 1st (Tue)

To mark 150 years of Franco-Japanese relations the Kobe City Museum is holding the "Louvre Museum Exhibition, the Beauty of the French Court". At the French royal court of the 18th century saw the flowering of the most refined culture in history. Marquis Pompadour's consort, a favorite of Louis XV, and Louis XVI's queen Marie Antoinette: These female lovers of beauty gave color to the court and to the salon, developing the styles of Rococo and Neoclassicism. The accessories and furnishings specially ordered by the royalty and nobility made unsparing use of expensive material and techniques, pushing French crafts to their zenith. Much of the possessions of the French court were lost during the French Revolution, but at the Arts and Crafts Department of the Louvre there remains a precious collection that evaded the turmoil of the revolutionary period. This exhibition will display around 140 paintings and objects handpicked from that collection, introducing the elegance and beauty of the court. From the fine gold and silver crafts liked by the Marquess Pompadour to the writing desks favored by Marie Antoinette, and portable travel items, many of the displays are being shown in Japan for the first time. Art Talk: April 26th (Sat) 14:00-15:30 Art Talk: May 24th (Sat) 14:00-15:30 Children's Workshop: May 5th (Mon) 10:00- & 13:00- School Student Talks: May 17th (Sat), May 31st (Sat) & June 14th (Sat) 14:00-16:00 [Image: "Wall Clock With Diana Statues Decorative Frame" (1745-1750) Bronze, Gilt, Enamel ©2007 Musée du Louvre／Martine Beck-Coppola]

Beads have had an important role in international trade. The exhibition features beads that were introduced from Africa to Europe in the late 19th century.

Gallery Tour: April 13th, 27th, May 11th, 25th, June 8th, 22nd, July 6th, 20th All 14:00- [Image: "A Scenery at Ichinotani" (1960)]

This exhibition features the changes in Japanese people's lifestyle that were brought by the influences of foreign countries. *Exhibiting at 1F Exhibition Room 3

This exhibition traces from the origin of humans to the establishment of ancient society by focusing on the influence of China and Korea, through rice farming, and usage of metal tools. Sakuragaoka bell-shaped bronze vessels (national treasure) and other items from tumulus in Kobe city are exhibited. *Exhibiting at 2F Exhibition Room 4, 5

During the Edo period (when Japan had an isolationist policy), Japan did in fact have contact with foreign countries. This exhibition will display telescopes, glass works, clocks and other items that have adopted foreign influences. *Exhibiting at 1F Exhibition Room 1 [Image: "Japanese Telescopes from the 18th Century and After"]

This exhibition explores how culture from the Chinese continent was adapted through local offices and the proliferation of Buddhism. In addition, Hyogo bay played an important role in water transportation with China and Korea. *Exhibiting at 2F Exhibition Room 5

Ryouhei Koiso (1903-1988), a western-style painter, and Kaii Higashiyama（1908-1999), a Nihonga painter, are both well respected Japanese artists. They both graduated from Hyogo Prefectural Kobe No. 2 Middle School, now known as Hyogo Prefectural Hyogo High School. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the school's foundation, this exhibition traces the lives and works of Koiso and Higashiyama after their school years, showing 30 pieces from their early period, in addition to 30 well known paintings. [Image: Kaii Higashiyama "Hardangervidda" (1963)]

"People's Art" arose from Korea's unique traditions and the campaign for democracy. Taking 109 pieces from the Korean National Modern Art Museum's collection of paintings and sculptures, the currents of Korean Realism will be introduced. Art Talk: June 7th (Sat) 14:00- "1980s People's Art and the Currents of Korean Realism" Ko Sonjun (Niigata Prefectural Bandaijima Art Museum Liberal Arts Department) *For more information, telephone the museum on 07-9833-0164 [Image: Yun O "Father" (1983)]

The captivating shade given by the trees has been captured by photographer Masami Mori. In his work you can see the momentary forms of beauty, distinct but at times ambiguous, quivering and flowing.