Museums

Tada Minami: Still, shimmering light (October 2026)

Two exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo: the soft light of Tada Minami's lighting sculptures, plus Yoshida Hiroshi's Sailing Boats woodblock prints. The same thing looks different with the light, with the time of day. Two separate shows, quietly connected.

2026.10.03

Museums

Lucie Rie: Elegant Vessels Fusing East and West (September 2026)

I went to the Teien Art Museum for Lucie Rie's vessels, swooned over a white vase I imagined filling with flowers, and then lost my heart to the staircase and study of the former Prince Asaka Residence. Architecture over Lucie Rie, sorry. A solo museum visit.

2026.09.02

Museums

YBA & BEYOND: British Art in the 90s from the Tate Collection (July 2026)

A midsummer visit to the YBA exhibition at the KYOCERA Museum in Kyoto. Lubaina Himid's vivid colours, Wolfgang Tillmans, a reunion with Derek Jarman — and Martin Creed, of all artists.

2026.07.25

Museums

Ron Mueck Exhibition (July 2026)

Only 11 works, yet so much to take in. Ron Mueck's first solo exhibition in Japan in 18 years, at the Mori Art Museum. The piece that stayed with me most, Woman with Shopping, felt too real to photograph.

2026.07.06

Museums

Fukuoka Art Museum (June 2026)

After walking Fukuoka Castle, I popped into the Fukuoka Art Museum next door. From a Heian-period Yakushi Nyorai and the Twelve Heavenly Generals to a Sengai hanging scroll, Anish Kapoor and Chiharu Shiota — a solo museum stroll through a collection of astonishing range. I ended up lingering far longer than planned.

2026.06.24

Museums

Netsuke: The Takamado Collection (June 2026)

A small world that fits in your palm, holding a great big story. Onigiri, keukegen, a go board, and charming little carvings from the Takamado Collection.

2026.06.07

Museums

New Year’s Celebration at the Tokyo National Museum (January 2026)

On my way back from Asakusa, I dropped by the Tokyo National Museum on a whim. No real plan—just the New Year's "Pine Trees," and the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures designed by Yoshio Taniguchi. A solo wander, captivated by winter light and a painterly old tree.

2026.01.06

Museums

Kyoto National Museum, Pony Tales (January 2026)

A New Year visit to Kyoto National Museum to renew my annual pass, with a chance encounter with Ogata Korin's Bamboo and Tiger, the model for Torarin.

2026.01.03

Museums

Yoshiro and Yoshio Taniguchi Museum of Architecture, Kanazawa (December 2025)

A spur-of-the-moment detour to the museum of a beloved architect. I came for the recreated Yushintei rooms and ended up captivated by an unexpected water garden, a solo winter day in Kanazawa.

2025.12.20

Museums

Inujima Seirensho Art Museum (November 2025)

On Inujima, a tiny stone fragment on my palm looked like an island in the Seto Inland Sea. Quarry stories from the guided tour, the island magic that turns fallen things into art, and a lemon squash to finish: a solo island stroll.

2025.11.06

Museums