Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery

The late Samiro Yunoki (1922–2024) was a trailblazer in the world of stencil dyeing, known for his vibrant, free-spirited forms and joyful colours that radiate life. Deeply influenced by the Mingei folk craft movement and mentored by renowned dye artist Keisuke Serizawa, Yunoki brought a fresh sensibility to traditional Japanese techniques. Over his remarkable 75-year career, he broke through the confines of genre to explore illustration, collage and more, each work reflecting his passion for beauty in the everyday. From October 24 to December 21, the Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery presents this comprehensive retrospective celebrating the life and art of the centenarian creator. The exhibition traces Yunoki’s artistic journey through the cities and landscapes that inspired him, aiming to offer visitors a deeply personal and visually rich experience. More than a chronological survey, it’s a meditation on time, memory, and the artist’s abiding belief in savouring the present. With works filled with warmth, humour and a profound love of life, Yunoki’s legacy reminds us that the now, fleeting and fragile, is a moment to be treasured. The exhibition is both a tribute and an invitation to rediscover that joy.