Kamigata Pin-ups —Portraits of Actors and Beautiful Women—

Nov. 30 (Sun.), 2025 – Jan. 25 (Sun.), 2026

Years after Tsutaya Juzaburo found success in the art world, ukiyoe prints depicting actors were almost mass-produced in Kamigata (Kyoto and Osaka). At that time in Edo (Tokyo), political reforms were being implemented, including strict censorship of opulent publications, which posed a serious challenge to Juzaburo. Meanwhile, in Kamigata, even more luxurious versions of ukiyoe, using gold and silver, continued to be produced. Ukiyoe portraits of local kabuki actors and beautiful women, actually popular courtesans, were sold to fans much like modern-day pin-ups of celebrities. In this exhibition, you can encounter the celebrities of that time through vivid-colored ukiyoe prints.