Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts 90th Anniversary Special Exhibition: The Water Margin

About this event

Commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, the special exhibition "Water Margin" (Suikoden) introduces the story of "Water Margin," one of China's Four Great Classical Novels, through Chinese art and ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Set in the Northern Song Dynasty, the tale of rebellion and loyalty of 108 heroes standing up against a corrupt regime sparked a massive boom in Edo-period Japan as well, and was elevated into new artistic expressions by renowned painters such as Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Kuniyoshi. In addition to showcasing all 74 prints from Utagawa Kuniyoshi's breakthrough series "The 108 Heroes of the Popular Water Margin" (Tsuzoku Suikoden) all at once, this exhibition traces how "Water Margin" has been depicted and passed down across eras, from Northern Song art objects to original drawings of modern manga works. It is an exhibition where you can touch upon the lifestyles and values of heroes and deeply explore the enduring appeal of "Water Margin" that still attracts people today.

Venue

Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts

1-82 Chausuyamacho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka, Osaka 543-0063