Founded during the Tenpo era of the Edo period in 1835, Kyugetsu is a renowned Japanese doll maker with a legacy that spans 189 years. The company will hold a special exhibition at The Nippon Gallery. Kyugetsu is celebrated for its exceptional craftsmanship, creating hina and gogatsu dolls that have long been integral to Japan’s seasonal festivals. The company’s unique strength lies in its “ensemble craftsmanship,” which involves meticulously assembling each artisan’s work into beautifully balanced sets.

Samurai Helmet Decoration Kyoto Style by Kyugetsu

This exhibition will showcase carefully selected masterpieces from Kyugetsu. It will highlight the beauty of Japanese traditional crafts, including dolls created using traditional techniques rooted in various regions of Japan, such as gold leaf, lacquer, dyeing, and weaving. These Japanese dolls exemplify "the harmony of artistry," embodying the essence of traditional craftsmanship.

Such dolls include Hina dolls, which are traditional Japanese dolls displayed in March for Girls’ Day. These dolls represent the imperial court and are meant to wish for health and happiness for girls. There are also Gogatsu dolls (May dolls), which are traditional Japanese dolls displayed in May for Children’s Day. These dolls represent samurai warriors and are meant to wish for strength and good health for boys. Additionally, guests will see elegant Oyama dolls that represent the grace of women, as well as vibrant Renjishi dolls inspired by classical performing arts.

Japan has a long-standing tradition of gifting dolls to celebrate occasions like births and weddings. Beyond mere toys or decorations, dolls are cherished symbols of Japanese culture and customs. Harmony of Artistry offers an exceptional opportunity to appreciate the culmination of Japanese traditional crafts through dolls while also experiencing the spirit of Japan that has been passed down through generations.

Kimekomi Decoration "Anima Rhinoceros" by Kyugetsu

The Nippon Club Gallery Hours

Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday

For more information, please visit The Gallery’s website or contact the Gallery at 212-581-2223.

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Susan McCormac 10/3/24 Susan McCormac 10/3/24

JAPANESE MANGA ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR ACKY BRIGHT FEATURED AT JAPAN SOCIETY

Acky Bright: Studio Infinity

Friday, October 4 through Sunday, January 19, 2025

Japan Society – 333 E. 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)

Admission: $12 nonmembers | $10 students and seniors | Free First Fridays from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Japan Society presents Acky Bright: Studio Infinity, a showcase of the rising star’s unique kawakakkoii (cute and cool) style of illustration and product design. A distinguished Japanese manga artist and illustrator, Acky Bright is known for his unique worldbuilding.

Conceived as Acky Bright’s design studio, the exhibition offers visitors an exceptional opportunity to meet the artist, witness his freestyle “live drawing,” and participate in making a series of manga-style murals. Performative and interactive, the exhibition, which previewed during the weekend of Anime NYC in August, will evolve as Acky Bright makes intermittent appearances in the gallery.

The exhibition will feature two new painting series by Acky Bright, KBK-18, and Ah-Un, that each draw inspiration from traditional Japanese art and theater. Underscoring the impressive range of his contemporary art practice, the show will also highlight Acky Bright’s promotional campaigns designed for major companies, including his multimedia designs for the nationwide “WcDonald’s” campaign, YOASOBI x Vaundy’s FRIES BEAT 2024 music video, and Squid Game coloring book illustrated for Netflix.

Gallery Information

Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Closed on major holidays

Tickets include entry to both of Japan Society’s fall exhibitions, Acky Bright: Studio Infinity and Bunraku Backstage. To purchase tickets, please visit Japan Society’s website.

Susan McCormac 10/13/23 Susan McCormac 10/13/23

Japan Society Spotlights Women Artists

Image: Products for Fluxus editions, 1964.

Out of Bounds: Japanese Women Artists in Fluxus

Friday, October 13 through Sunday, January 21

Japan Society – 333 E. 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)

Admission: $12 | $10 Seniors and Students | Free Japan Society Members

Japan Society’s latest exhibition, Out of Bounds: Japanese Women Artists in Fluxus, explores the essential role of Japanese women in Fluxus, a movement instigated in the 1960s that helped contemporary artists define new modes of artistic expression. Near the 60th anniversary of the movement’s founding, this exhibition highlights the contributions of four pioneering Japanese artists: Shigeko Kubota, Yoko Ono, Takako Saito, and Mieko Shiomi. Displays of their works and the ephemera surrounding it contextualize their place within Fluxus and the broader artistic movements of the 1960s and beyond.

Out of Bounds: Japanese Women Artists in Fluxus is organized by guest curator Midori Yoshimoto and Tiffany Lambert, Curator and Interim Director, Japan Society, with Ayaka Iida, Assistant Curator, Japan Society.

For full details and to book your tickets, please visit Japan Society’s website.

Renowned Japanese Doll maker to Exhibit at The Nippon Club

Harmony of Artistry: Japanese Kyugetsu Dolls and Traditional Crafts