The exhibition features works created by local artists from the Wakayama area.

The exhibition features national treasures and other cultural heritage items from the museum collection. The works on display concentrate on Chinese and Japanese calligraphy, tea ceremony equipment, metal works, etc. During the exhibition period, there will be a layout change. [Image: Cultural Heritage Item "Jozougo"]

The exhibition features documents and paintings that render the life of Tensho-in's Atsuhime, a prominent figure during the Tokugawa period. *Exhibiting at 6F Special Exhibition Room Guided Tour: April 25th (Fri) 19:00-, April 26th (Sat) 14:00-, May 9th (Fri) 19:00- [Image: Kiyoo Kawamura "Tenshoin Portrait" (detailed view) (1884) courtesy of Tokugawa Memorial Foundation]

Our forefathers would learn that by "drawn" brushstrokes the actions of the body remained, and this grew to an understanding of "division" in the outline and borders of objects. By the action of these two lines, mankind became aware of the world, of tools and of language, cultivating civilization, before giving birth to art. If we unravel art history, through the "drawn" line, centered on the essential components of sketching, ink painting and calligraphy, we were able to arrive at feeling articulated by expressionism, a development continuing unbroken to our present day of "painting through gesture". The "dividing" line, forming the foundations of geometry and architecture, has brought us the rules of perspective and composition, and even now is the structure of modern design and minimalism. This exhibition will display about 60 works from Zen writing, modern painting, contemporary design, in each of which is hidden the double line of drawing and division, the reading of which will give us a deepened opportunity to understand art. [Image: Tadaaki Kuwayama "Blue" from the series "Olive, Green Blue, Violet Purple" (1966)]

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 work of representative contemporary calligrapher and Nara resident Ryosetsu and of those who have continued and energized his ideas will be exhibited.

Religious art is born out of and transferred by a range of people. Based on paintings and Zen writing, this exhibition will draw attention to the beauty of prayer that enwraps our existence. [Image: Bronze Ginzou Bunjou Vase]