Sébastien Raineri

Sébastien Raineri

Contributor

Articles (6)

Art Osaka 2025 – where past grandeur meets cutting-edge contemporary art

Art Osaka 2025 – where past grandeur meets cutting-edge contemporary art

At 23 years young, Art Osaka is going stronger than ever. That’s our main takeaway after the 2025 edition of the longest-running contemporary art fair in Japan ended its five-day programme across two complementary venues: the Osaka City Central Public Hall in Nakanoshima and Creative Center Osaka in Kitakagaya. From June 5 to 9, Osaka once again shone as a vital axis of the country’s contemporary art scene, as it hosted a celebration of cutting-edge work; one that continues to distinguish itself through a dual commitment to curatorial ambition and grassroots creativity. Here are some of the things that caught our eye at Art Osaka 2025. RECOMMENDED: How to see the highlights of Osaka’s arts and culture scene in one day
「KYOTOGRAPHIE 2025」に行くべき6のこと

「KYOTOGRAPHIE 2025」に行くべき6のこと

タイムアウト東京 > アート&カルチャー > 「KYOTOGRAPHIE 2025」に行くべき6のこと 春が広がる京都。写真という芸術メディアを通じた、文化交流のための国内随一の国際的なプラットフォーム「KYOTOGRAPHIE」が開催される時期だ。京都の伝統とイノベーションが融合したこの国際写真祭は、京都1000年の遺産と国際的な文化発信地としての役割が合わさっている。 KYOTOGRAPHIEは単なる国際写真祭ではない。京都への入り口である。京都の寺院、伝統的な町家、近代的なランドマークなど、詩的な背景の中、毎年恒例の本写真祭は、京都という文化都市をオープンエアのギャラリーへと変えていく。 明治時代の酒蔵から京都駅の洗練された鉄骨まで、京都の最も象徴的であり、かつ思いがけない場所に、考え抜かれ、埋め込まれた力強いビジュアルが期待できるのだ。2025年4月12日〜5月11日(日)の会期で開催される今年のテーマは「HUMANITY」。ここでは英語版編集部によるKYOTOGRAPHIEが、毎春アートファンにとって行くべきディスティネーションとなる理由を6つ紹介したい。
Four reasons to visit the Setouchi Triennale

Four reasons to visit the Setouchi Triennale

The Setouchi Triennale is one of Japan’s most celebrated contemporary art festivals. Since its inception in 2010, the showcase has brought world-class art to the islands of the Seto Inland Sea in the form of site-specific installations, interactive projects, and performances that integrate seamlessly with the natural and cultural environment. Visitors can explore artworks scattered across Naoshima, Teshima, Shodoshima, and around 10 other islands, encountering everything from avant-garde sculptures to traditional crafts reinterpreted in contemporary forms. Returning in 2025 to once again transform the Inland Sea area into a massive open-air museum, the Triennale is held across three seasons: Spring (April 18 to May 25), Summer (August 1 to August 31) and Autumn (October 3 to November 9). The festival always brings together artists from around the world to engage with the region’s rich history, breathtaking landscapes and vibrant local communities, and the 2025 edition will continue this legacy with new commissions that reflect themes of ecology, sustainability and coexistence – urgent topics in an era of climate change and depopulation. Read on for our picks of things not to miss at the 2025 Setouchi Triennale. RECOMMENDED: Check out our ultimate guide to the Setouchi area
6 reasons to visit international photography festival Kyotographie 2025

6 reasons to visit international photography festival Kyotographie 2025

As spring unfolds in the ancient city of Kyoto, the spotlight once again turns to Kyotographie – Japan’s premier international platform for the exchange of culture through the artistic medium of photography. Celebrating its home city’s unique blend of tradition and innovation, this festival intertwines Kyoto’s thousand-year legacy with its role as a beacon of international culture. But Kyotographie isn’t just a photo festival: it’s a portal. Set against the poetic backdrop of Kyoto’s temples, teahouses, traditional machiya dwellings and modern landmarks, the annual springtime celebration transforms Japan’s cultural capital into an open-air gallery. Expect powerful visuals thoughtfully embedded in some of the city’s most iconic – and unexpected – venues, from a Meiji-era (1868–1912) sake brewery to the sleek steel face of Kyoto Station. Running from April 12 to May 11, this year’s edition of the festival highlights the unifying theme of ‘Humanity’. Here’s why Kyotographie makes for an essential addition to any art fan’s spring itinerary.
5 unmissable manga and anime exhibitions in Tokyo in 2025

5 unmissable manga and anime exhibitions in Tokyo in 2025

Their time in the subcultural shadows long gone, manga and anime are now common sights at prestigious art museums around the world, with large-scale exhibitions showcasing otaku culture and popular titles popping up from New York and London to Singapore in recent years. But Tokyo is still the world capital of anime and manga shows, and this year brings another packed slate of highlights to exhibition venues around the city. These are our picks of the best displays coming up in 2025 – from cyberpunk dreams and epic sagas to art inspired by the world’s most famous monster. RECOMMENDED: The best art exhibitions to see in Tokyo this year
12 best art exhibitions to see in Tokyo in 2025

12 best art exhibitions to see in Tokyo in 2025

The art year 2025 in Tokyo is looking packed, with a hefty slate of exhibitions and events highlighting everything from cutting-edge contemporary art to thousand-year old treasures. The visionary sound installations of Ryuichi Sakamoto can be appreciated at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo through the end of March, while spring sees the Mori Museum highlight the intersection of art and digital technology and the Azabudai Hills Gallery showcase the eclectic work of Tomokazu Matsuyama. Big draws in the latter half of the year include an in-depth look at the career of Expo 2025 site designer Sou Fujimoto and the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum’s celebration of 1920s fashion. Mark your calendars… RECOMMENDED: The best new attractions and facilities opening in Tokyo in 2025

Listings and reviews (70)

Daido Moriyama: In Tokyo

Daido Moriyama: In Tokyo

Daido Moriyama has spent over six decades redefining the possibilities of photography. Born in 1938, he emerged in the 1960s with raw, high-contrast images that challenged conventional aesthetics and captured the restless energy of post-war Japan. His international recognition, as seen in exhibitions from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to London’s Tate Modern, established the Osaka native as a global icon. Honoured with the Hasselblad Award in 2019, Moriyama continues to shape the visual language of photography with unmatched vitality. Until October 27, GR Space Tokyo presents ‘Daido Moriyama: In Tokyo’, an exhibition marking the Harajuku venue’s first anniversary. Divided into two phases and featuring around 60 new works shot with the Ricoh GR series, the display captures the shifting landscapes and fleeting human presences of the city in 2025. Free to enter, the exhibition invites visitors to experience the immediacy and intensity of a metropolis in constant flux, distilled through the lens of one of Japan’s greatest living photographers.
Mad Image

Mad Image

Bringing together 16 artists across generations and disciplines, this dynamic group exhibition explores the creative energy of ‘MADs’ – better known as AMVs or anime music videos – a phenomenon rooted in online communities where derivative works are made by deconstructing and reassembling existing media such as anime, games and sound. Co-curated by artists Namonaki Sanemasa and Kazuki Umezawa, ‘Mad Image’ spans painting, sculpture, video and sound installation, reflecting a diverse spectrum of practices united by the processes of fragmentation and reconstruction. Created by artists ranging from teenagers to established practitioners in their fifties, the works capture the fractured landscapes of contemporary life while questioning how meaning is made in an era where digital images and information flow endlessly across screens. For Sanemasa and Umezawa, who both exhibit in the show in addition to serving as curators, ‘Mad Image’ is less about offering a definitive framework than about creating a temporary space – a ‘small hut’, as Sanemasa puts it – where art can pause, reassemble, and invite reflection. In this gathering of experimental voices, Mizuma Art Gallery becomes a site for imagining new ways to connect amid the disjointed commons of our time.
Hokusai

Hokusai

Creator of the iconic Great Wave off Kanagawa – and more than 30,000 other works across a remarkable 90-year life – Katsushika Hokusai was known for his restless spirit (he moved 93 times) and ever-evolving identity (he used more than 30 artist names). And by the way, the ukiyo-e impresario’s prolific genius also laid the foundation for what we now recognise as manga and anime. This autumn, ‘Hokusai’ at Creative Museum Tokyo offers an immersive journey into the artist’s seemingly boundless world. With over 300 pieces on display, including the complete Hokusai Manga (from the world-famous Uragami Collection), all three volumes of One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji, and a set of 16 newly discovered hand-painted works from his final years, the show promises unprecedented depth. And as we’ve come to expect from this venue, the artworks on display will be accompanied by some certifiably contemporary exhibits. These include animated adaptations of Hokusai prints by top Japanese animators, highlighting how the visual storytelling of Edo’s greatest artist continues to resonate. Be sure to exit through the gift shop for a look at some 150 pieces of exclusive merch, including collaborations with Peanuts, Chums and Swiss Army knife maker Victorinox.
Film Director Yoshimitsu Morita

Film Director Yoshimitsu Morita

This autumn, the National Film Archive presents the first comprehensive retrospective dedicated to one of Japan’s most inventive and genre-defying filmmakers. Yoshimitsu Morita (1950–2011) began his career in 8mm films and made a lasting mark on Japanese cinema with works like The Family Game (1983) and The Black House (1999), embracing comedy, horror, courtroom dramas, period pieces and more. The exhibition offers an opportunity to step right into Morita’s imaginative world. Visitors can explore recreations of the iconic dining room from The Family Game and of the director’s personal study, plus a gallery of his cherished vinyl records. Posters, props, annotated scripts and idea notebooks showcase the full range of the Shonan native’s creative process, while video installations trace Morita’s career from its indie roots to commercial success. Running alongside the exhibition, a special programme (October 14–November 23) will screen key works from Morita’s filmography, including lesser-known titles and collaborations. Deaths in Tokimeki (1984), Keiho (1999) and Kiriko no Fukei (1998; written by Morita and directed by Tomoyuki Akaishi) will be screened with English subtitles. A series of talks featuring producer Kazuko Misawa and cultural commentator Utamaru will offer further insight into Morita’s legacy. 
TV Anime ‘Spy x Family’ Special Exhibition

TV Anime ‘Spy x Family’ Special Exhibition

Anime fans are in for a thrilling mission this autumn as Spy x Family takes over Anime Tokyo Station until November 9. Celebrating the global phenomenon that has captivated audiences with its blend of action, comedy and heart, the exhibition offers an immersive journey into the lives of the Forgers (Loid, Yor and Anya) and their unforgettable escapades. Visitors can relive iconic scenes from the hit series through scene panels and dynamic displays. Life-size character panels and themed photo spots invite guests to step directly into the world of Spy x Family, making the exhibition a must for fans eager to snap shots with their favourite characters. A standout feature is the interactive AR experience, where you can uncover hidden character dialogues as you explore the exhibit space, adding a new layer of depth to the viewing experience. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the series, this exhibition should deliver an engaging and stylish encounter with the intersection of espionage, family ties and comedy that Spy x Family so uniquely offers.
Kouichi Matsuda: Summer Memories…

Kouichi Matsuda: Summer Memories…

Rising manga artist and illustrator Kouichi Matsuda descends on Wish Less Gallery in Tabata with a new series of paintings inspired by visceral, sometimes grotesque, recollections of summer. With evocative imagery drawn from childhood mishaps, faded vacations and suburban melancholy, ‘Summer Memories…’ captures the sharp sting of memory through a lens of absurdity. Born in Morioka, Iwate in 1994, Matsuda studied under legendary avant-garde manga artist Takashi Nemoto after moving to Tokyo. He made his debut in the cult magazine AX and gained widespread attention with his 2024 manga collection Unmei (Fate), marking him as one of the most distinctive voices in a new generation of Japanese mangaka. As is evident here, Matsuda’s work is characterised by absurdist narratives and chaotic visual worlds that blend nostalgia with dark humour. His surreal depictions of Japanese society, ranging from bubble-era salarymen to rebellious ’90s gyaru, evoke a dreamlike collision between the past and a disordered, amoral future.
Prism of the Real: Making Art in Japan 1989–2010

Prism of the Real: Making Art in Japan 1989–2010

With ‘Prism of the Real: Making Art in Japan 1989–2010’, the National Art Center, Tokyo offers an illuminating look at how Japanese and international artists responded to an era of seismic change – namely the two transformative decades that followed the end of the Showa era (1926–1989), when the Cold War’s conclusion and the onset of globalisation reshaped the world’s cultural landscape. Featuring works by over 50 artists, the exhibition traces the evolution of contemporary art in Japan from the early stirrings of internationalisation in the 1980s through a period of creative fermentation marked by technological shifts, socio-political upheaval and the expansion of global dialogue. Across three thematic sections, visitors will be able to view a diverse array of works that grapple with identity, memory, war trauma, and the forging of new communal bonds. Like a prism refracting light into myriad wavelengths, the exhibition highlights the multiplicity of perspectives that shaped artistic expression in Japan between 1989 and 2010, offering visitors a powerful lens on a pivotal cultural moment in Japan’s (and the world’s) history.
Japanese School Uniform Chronicles: 100 Years of Showa!

Japanese School Uniform Chronicles: 100 Years of Showa!

Dive deep into the evolving world of Japanese student uniforms and the cultural narratives they embody at the Yayoi Museum’s summer exhibition. ‘Japanese School Uniform Chronicles: 100 Years of Showa!’ is the third instalment in an exhibition series that was last held in 2019, and focuses especially on how students have worn their uniforms. Exploring the fine differences in skirt length, tie knots and pant width that once spoke volumes about youth identity and peer dynamics, the show takes in everything from the rebellious aesthetics of the 1970s tsuppari and sukeban to the ganguro and loose socks era of the ’90s. It traces how uniform styling has mirrored societal shifts and teenage self-expression, driving home the fact that uniforms have been a canvas for silent protest, community and transformation, as well as an evolving reflection of gender, conformity and resistance. Over 100 real-life artefacts and artworks by contemporary illustrators bring this chronicle to life. There’s also exclusive merchandise, a themed café menu with collectible coasters, and even an interactive chalkboard display through which visitors can joggle their own uniform-related memories. As Japan marks 100 years since the start of the Showa era (1926–1989), this timely exhibition is both nostalgic and forward-looking, highlighting the student uniform’s journey from tradition to reimagination in the present Reiwa era.
Tsutomu Okuzawa: Diaspora

Tsutomu Okuzawa: Diaspora

A deeply personal and resonant solo exhibition by Tsutomu Okuzawa, ‘Diaspora’ invites viewers into a meditation on exile, memory and the shifting notion of home. The show is held at Red Cube Gallery, an intimate venue tucked away on the second floor of a hair salon in Asagaya. The free-admission exhibition evokes the historic and emotional consequences of displacement, whether through war, migration or the quiet dissolution of families over time. Through precise, intricate works drawn with pens, coffee and coloured inks, Okuzawa captures the tension between daily life and the deeper sense of unease that underlies it. His lines are meticulous yet imbued with raw emotion, revealing a yearning for connection, for a ‘lost home’ that may never fully return.  Though sombre in tone, Okuzawa’s art radiates a quiet belief in the innate goodness of humanity. Digital or hand-drawn, his work speaks of a universal desire to love, to belong, to remember. The opening night on August 2 will feature a live performance by experimental musician Kasumi, whose ethereal soundscapes will also accompany the exhibition throughout its run.
Ooku: Women of Power in Edo Castle

Ooku: Women of Power in Edo Castle

Head to the Tokyo National Museum’s Heiseikan this summer for a sweeping exploration of the secretive inner chambers of the Tokugawa shogunate. On show from July 19 to September 21, ‘Ooku: Women of Power in Edo Castle’ takes viewers into the secluded quarters that housed the wives, concubines and ladies-in-waiting of the shoguns – women who navigated a world of rigid hierarchy, political intrigue and quiet resilience behind locked doors and copper-clad walls. Though immortalised in popular culture through kabuki, television dramas and manga, the real ooku was far more nuanced than fiction suggests. The exhibition sheds new light on reality through approximately 180 rarely seen artefacts, including historical documents, architectural diagrams, exquisite kimonos, personal effects and intricate ceremonial textiles. Highlights include 31 embroidered cloths (kakefukusa), which were placed upon important gifts exchanged in the palace, from the Genroku era (1688–1704); elegant garments worn by women from samurai families; and the complete Chiyoda no Ooku (1894–1896) series of ukiyo-e prints by Toyohara Chikanobu, which depict daily life in Edo Castle as imagined by the artist some 30 years after the fall of the shogunate. Visitors can also view kabuki costumes worn by women actors who performed within the Ooku itself. Highlighting personal stories and treasured objects alike, the exhibition reveals the complexities of life within the shogun’s harem, where power, duty and emotion qui
Ghost in the Shell: The Exhibition

Ghost in the Shell: The Exhibition

Celebrating three decades of Ghost in the Shell, one of Japan’s most influential sci-fi franchises, this large-scale exhibition will take over Tokyo Node at Toranomon Hills from January 30 to April 5 2026. The ambitious showcase is set to trace the evolution of the series from Masamune Shirow’s ground-breaking 1989 manga to its acclaimed anime adaptations and, with a new 2026 series from Science Saru on the horizon, into the future. Organised with the full cooperation of Production IG, the studio behind the franchise’s animation, the exhibition brings together works by directors Mamoru Oshii, Kenji Kamiyama, Kazuya Kise and Shinji Aramaki, offering visitors an unprecedented deep dive into the cyberpunk universe that redefined anime. Over 600 production materials will be on display, including original drawings, storyboards and concept art. You’ll also be able to look forward to immersive installations and interactive exhibits that explore key philosophical themes from the series such as identity, consciousness and the boundaries between human and machine. Further highlights include new contributions by international artists, exclusive interview footage, and the ‘DIG-ru’ installation, which invites visitors to ‘digitally excavate’ the world of Ghost in the Shell. And of course, you’ll get to shop for plenty of only-here merchandise at the gift shop.
Chanel presents la Galerie du 19M Tokyo

Chanel presents la Galerie du 19M Tokyo

Founded by Chanel in Paris in 2021, le19M is a ground-breaking hub that brings together 11 maisons d’art and over 700 artisans, dedicated to preserving and advancing the intricate crafts behind haute couture: embroidery, pleating, millinery, shoemaking, feather work and more. As both a creative incubator and a guardian of heritage, le19M is home to la Galerie du 19M, a cultural space that celebrates craftsmanship, fosters innovation and nurtures future generations of artisans. From September 30 to October 20, Chanel invites Tokyo audiences to discover the extraordinary world of the métiers d’art with la Galerie du 19M Tokyo, an exhibition on an unprecedented scale, held on the 52nd floor of the Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills. La Galerie du 19M Tokyo offers a free, immersive experience for visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Through a curated journey blending tradition and contemporary creation, visitors are invited witness the meticulous artistry and dedication behind some of Chanel’s most iconic pieces. It’s a dialogue between cultures and crafts, honouring the value of human hands and the timeless beauty of artisanal excellence, brought to life high above the Tokyo skyline.

News (6)

Embark on a creative journey through time and space at the Leiji Matsumoto exhibition

Embark on a creative journey through time and space at the Leiji Matsumoto exhibition

Few would argue against the late Leiji Matsumoto as one of Japan’s most visionary manga artists. Best known for sci-fi epics like Space Battleship Yamato, Galaxy Express 999 and Space Pirate Captain Harlock, the Fukuoka native conjured up incredibly intricate worlds to convey a deeply humanistic message. This summer, the master storyteller’s seven-decade career and the creative cosmos he envisioned can be explored in great detail at Tokyo City View, where ‘Leiji Matsumoto Exhibition: A Creative Journey’ is on show until September 7. ©Leiji Matsumoto/Leijisha | Photo: Sébastien Raineri The first large-scale retrospective dedicated to Matsumoto, who passed away in 2023, the exhibition traces the evolution of an artist whose pen moved across space and time with unshakable conviction and emotional resonance. Among the highlights on display is a trove of original drawings discovered in the artist’s studio after his death, each a testament to his precision, poetic imagination and narrative mastery. These hand-drawn works, some shown for the first time, allow you to rediscover Matsumoto as both a craftsman and a dreamer. Here’s what else to look forward to at the exhibition. The departure platform in the sky Before stepping into the world of Leiji Matsumoto’s imagination, you’re invited to begin your travels in the sky. High above the city, a familiar scene awaits: an evocative recreation of the departure platform from Galaxy Express 999. ©Leiji Matsumoto/Leijisha | Photo: Sébast
Iconic Ghibli films come to life in 3D at the studio’s sculpture exhibition in Tokyo

Iconic Ghibli films come to life in 3D at the studio’s sculpture exhibition in Tokyo

From the dreamlike forests of My Neighbor Totoro to the bustling bathhouse of Spirited Away, Studio Ghibli has enchanted audiences around the world with unforgettable visuals as much as with its acclaimed poetic storytelling. Over the four decades since Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and producer Toshio Suzuki co-founded the studio back in 1985, Ghibli has cultivated an imagery so recognisable that it’s come to be considered a style all unto its own – as the recent brouhaha over AI-generated Ghibli art proved. This summer, Miyazaki and co’s magical universe takes physical form at Tennozu Isle, where Warehouse Terrada B&C Hall is hosting the Studio Ghibli 3D Sculpture Exhibition until September 23. Both a meticulous exploration of iconic Ghibli scenes and a celebration of the international bonds that have carried the studio’s stories far beyond Japan’s shores, the show offers an unmissable opportunity to see, feel and experience some of your favourite Ghibli moments in an all-new format. A new dimension of animation Photo: Sébastien RaineriThe bakery from ‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ The centrepiece of the exhibition is an extraordinary collection of three-dimensional models and sculptures, each capturing a key scene from some of Ghibli’s most iconic films. Titles such as Kiki’s Delivery Service, Castle in the Sky, Pom Poko and My Neighbor Totoro come alive in everything from miniature landscapes to life-sized recreations, allowing you to step into spaces once confined to the tw
Tokyo’s latest Godzilla art exhibition is a roaring tribute to the 70-year-old icon

Tokyo’s latest Godzilla art exhibition is a roaring tribute to the 70-year-old icon

Seventy years after the King of the Monsters first emerged from the depths of the Pacific, Godzilla returns to Tokyo by way of a sweeping, boundary-defying art exhibition at the Mori Arts Center Gallery. Running until June 29, ‘Godzilla The Art Exhibition’ marks the fifth instalment of the celebrated Godzilla: The Art series and one of the most ambitious artistic reinterpretations of the cinematic icon to date. The exhibition employs contemporary art to showcase Godzilla as a mirror for modern anxieties, a symbol of cyclical destruction and rebirth, and an evolving artistic archetype capable of speaking across media, cultures and generations. It’s also an absolute blast, providing a monster-sized serving of material for die-hard Big G fans and lizard laypeople alike to geek out over. Art beyond the silver screen Ever since making its first cinematic appearance in 1954, Godzilla has loomed large as a vessel for cultural and historical tensions. Born from the trauma of nuclear warfare and inspired by the real-world fallout of hydrogen bomb testing, the irradiated lizard initially symbolised Japan’s post-war fears. But over time, this figure has taken on new shapes: protector, anti-hero, metaphor for environmental catastrophe. Photo: Maki Matsumoto | Haroshi "GODZILLA" TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. © HAROSHI Courtesy of NANZUKA | Roby dwi Antono "Godzi-lab" TM & © TOHO CO., LTD. © Roby Dwi Antono Courtesy of NANZUKA ‘Godzilla The Art Exhibition’ makes it clear that there’s no single a
This gorgeous beachside house near Kobe is hosting a three-day art exhibition over Golden Week

This gorgeous beachside house near Kobe is hosting a three-day art exhibition over Golden Week

If you’re looking to escape the city and soak up some inspiration in soothing surroundings this Golden Week, consider heading out to the Hyogo coast between May 4 and 6. That’s when the Hayashisaki Matsue Beach House in the city of Akashi will open its doors for ‘The Homesick Moon’, a collaborative exhibition between celebrated Thai artist Juli Baker & Summer and Akio Isshiki Architects. Photo: Ludovic BalayInside the house at Hayashisaki Matsue Beach The venue, a 50-year-old seaside home lovingly restored by and for the aforementioned architectural firm, provides an immersive environment for an event that blends art, architecture and dialogue while reflecting on memory, light and place. Photo: Yosuke OhtakeThe venue seen from the outside Known for her radiant illustrations and poetic storytelling, Juli Baker & Summer presents a series of lantern-inspired works designed to harmonise with the house’s warm, nostalgic atmosphere. Her exhibition explores the emotional resonance of light and how it connects rural and urban experiences, past and present, and homesickness and belonging. Photo: SuppliedArtwork by Juli Baker & Summer The event also features a series of talks and a portrait workshop, including a talk session on May 4 about regional revitalisation through international artistic collaboration, and a family-friendly portrait session with Juli Baker & Summer on May 5. Proceedings will close with a discussion on the intersection of art and architecture on May 6. The e
Osamu Tezuka’s ‘Phoenix’ exhibition offers a journey through time and eternity

Osamu Tezuka’s ‘Phoenix’ exhibition offers a journey through time and eternity

Deservedly known as the ‘God of Manga’, Osamu Tezuka continues to loom large over Japanese pop culture more than 35 years after his passing. A visionary whose artistic and philosophical contribution to the medium of comics is without equal, the Osaka native created a wealth of works now considered masterpieces. Phoenix (Hinotori; 1967–1988), however, stands apart as Tezuka’s self-proclaimed ‘life’s work’: a sprawling epic that weaves together past and future, delving into profound questions about life, death, and humanity’s eternal struggle for meaning. Tokyo City View at Roppongi Hills now presents the first large-scale exhibition dedicated to this epic saga. Running from March 7 to May 19 2025, ‘Osamu Tezuka’s “Hinotori” Exhibition’ offers an unprecedented look into the artist’s most monumental undertaking. It’s a display worth making the trip for, whether you’re a hardcore Tezuka acolyte or a complete newcomer to the manga form. Photo: Sébastien Raineri The god of manga Over the course of a career that spanned more than four decades – from the immediate post-World War II period to the dawn of the Heisei era – Osamu Tezuka revolutionised the medium of comics, shaping its narrative and artistic conventions. With more than 700 titles and 150,000 pages, his extensive body of work laid the foundation for modern manga and anime. Born in 1928, Tezuka’s artistic vision was shaped by Western cinema, early Disney animation, and Japanese storytelling traditions. His breakthrough wo
‘Ryuichi Sakamoto: seeing sound, hearing time’ showcases the interdisciplinary practice of a creative genius

‘Ryuichi Sakamoto: seeing sound, hearing time’ showcases the interdisciplinary practice of a creative genius

If your familiarity with Ryuichi Sakamoto is limited to his scores for films like Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence and The Last Emperor, a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo this winter or spring may prove startling and satisfying in equal measure. At ‘Ryuichi Sakamoto: seeing sound, hearing time’, on at the MOT until March 30 2025, the interdisciplinary segment of Sakamoto’s oeuvre takes on a monumental dimension by way of a multisensory experience that connects sound, space and time. Encouraging contemplation, lingering and meditation, the immersive retrospective offers an unparalleled opportunity to discover the artist’s sound installations and traces his experimental and pioneering journey through landmark pieces as well as previously unseen works conceived shortly before his untimely death in 2023. Photo: Kisa Toyoshima Room-sized artworks explore Sakamoto’s concept of ‘installation music’, under which the artist and his collaborators designed environments for the public to experience sound in physical space. These three-dimensional experiences interact dynamically with the museum’s architecture and highlight Sakamoto’s understanding of technology as an essential tool for making sense of the world as a whole, including the relationship between humans and their environment. An eclectic career – and a lingering influence Born in Tokyo in 1952, Ryuichi Sakamoto’s passion for music began early, inspired by a home rich in art and literature. His love for Debussy an