TOKYO ART PICKS (JULY/ AUGUST)

Kazuki Takamatsu

In numbers of eyeballs on artworks Tokyo is the unchallenged World capital of art, although this does drop off a lot in the "peak heat" months of July and August, when anyone moving more than three-feet from an air-conditioner is instantly vaporized by the heat and humidity.

Here, then, is Tokyo Met's "hot, bothered, n' sweaty" art guide for the dog days of Summer.

JAPAN UNIFORM CHRONICLE

Following 2018's "Sailor Suit and Female Student" exhibition and 2019's "100-year history of Japanese uniforms" exhibition, the YAYOI YUMEIJI MUSEUM (located in the shadow of Tokyo University) is holding the third instalment of its school uniforms series! This time the focus is on how students wore and customised their uniforms, both to fit in and to stand out. Included are the extreme styles of the 1970s~80s, like tsuppari & sukeban, along with the 1990s ganguro & loose socks look. Prepare to be amazed! 

Now – 14th September. 

PRICE: ¥900 

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The Grand Ring for Expo 2025, Photo courtesy: Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition

THE ARCHITECTURE OF SOU FUJIMOTO: PRIMORDIAL FUTURE FOREST

Sou(suke) Fujimoto, the architect behind the International Expo now under way in Osaka, has a perfect understanding of how modern-day architecture works, namely come up with concepts that sound like you're creating a "natural paradise" to win acceptance and gain private or public funding while ensuring commercial interests are well served. Or am I being too cynical here? Either way, he is one of the "cutting edge" architects of today whose work will shape the cityscapes of tomorrow, so he is well worth paying attention to. The exhibition at the MORI ART MUSEUM is the first major survey of his work, and provides a comprehensive overview with installations and large-scale models, while also exploring Fujimoto’s vision of the city as a kind of forest. Really!?

2nd July - 9th November 

PRICE: ¥2,500. 

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  Kayoi Takahata, frontispiece "The Wind of Early Summer," Shoujo Gaho, Vol. 18, No. 5, 1929, Tokyo-sha / Unknown author "Shoten Illustrated Collection Vol. 1" 1928, Seibundo Shotenkaisha

TAISHO IMAGERIE

The Taisho Period (1912-1926) is one of the most interesting in Japanese history. It was also artistically innovative due to modern methods coming into contact with traditional Japanese aesthetics. The summer show at the SOMPO MUSEUM OF ART focuses on this fascinating era through 330 items of print and publishing art from the collection of Mr. Toshiyuki Yamada, who sadly died preparing for the show. Print art in particular reveals the influence Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles had on Taisho imagery, with contributions from major artists who found outlets in book illustration (Takeji Fujishima, Nonsui Sugiura, Yumeji Takehisa, etc.). 

12th July ~ 31st Aug, 2025. 

PRICE: ¥1,500.

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Promotion image

TOVE JANNSON AND THE MOOMINS

Moomin, the Finnish troll character that looks like a white hippopotamus is immensely popular in Japan, so the 80th anniversary of the publication of the first Moomin books was not going to go uncommemorated here. Accordingly the MORI ART GALLERY (the one just below the Mori Art Museum in the high-rise Mori Tower) has brought together 300 items, including oil paintings, original drawings and sketches, and favourite items by Tove Jansson, the lesbian creator of this compelling folklore-based Finnish cartoon character which has gone global. 

16th July - 17th Sept. 

PRICE: ¥2,300. 

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Hiroya Oku

OPPAI EXPO

The always edgy VANILLA GALLERY is hoping to make a right tit of itself this August, with a themed show on the subject of "Oppai," the Japanese word for breasts. Artists include Masamune Shiro, Hiroya Oku (above), Rockin' Jelly Bean, Trevor Brown and Pinkara Gymnastics, among others. Also, look out for the life-sized and very realistic love dolls of Orient Industries, as well as ukiyo-e prints from the Edo period. Its sure to be a titillating experience. 

1st - 17th August. 

PRICE: ¥1,o00. 

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