Cross your fingers and rub your rabbit’s foot, because we are about to venture into an exhibit where luck meets art and, well, THIS is what might result…
“Lucky Subjects and Symbols in Japanese Art” is a delightful surprise of an exhibit, not least because it sounds like the driest of academic takes on the subject and is staged at the oh-so-elite Hotel Gajoen—making it an art exhibit staged INSIDE a piece of art—but the artists chosen this spring to fill those rooms decorated with National Treasure-level paintings deliver smile after smile.
Without further blatting, enjoy!
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“Every Day is a Lucky Day”
Artist: Wajin Mori
Yes, this is 365 maneki neko lucky cats doing unseemly things, all different!
Naturally, everyone was scurrying around, searching for their birthday cat…
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“Fox Wedding Procession”
Artist: Flower Workshop 猪子庵
Yes, it’s my favorite thing—a fox wedding!—recreated in my favorite style of of Girls Day dolls
The bride and groom lead the fox revelers
Who look like they’re ready to party
The shrine officiants waiting to perform the ceremony
While a chorus of foxlings sing their hearts out
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“Hanging Decorations”
Artist: Flower Workshop 猪子庵
This room featured the glorious thread-wrapped balls called temari…
…which were combined with lucky symbols crafted of fabric into hanging decorations that are typical decorations for Girls Day
Temari balls are real works of art, each one different
And some of the grander ones had, er, unusual designs when you looked closer! (Anyone who can tell me what that molecule is will have my eternal thanks!)
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Lucky Cats and Rabbits, Feral Form
I couldn’t find the name of this artist anywhere, so if you know their name, please tell me. These were awesome. I mean, what’s not to love about the Goth maneki neko and its sidekick, Bad Samurai Bunny?
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“Entering the Serpent”
Artist: Shie Nanahara
And finally, this artist originally became famous for the paintings adorning the Pokemon and One Piece game cards, but has gone on to works like these, that elevate manga-style art to fine art
It’s interesting how well they fit into a room painted over a century ago, by another famous artist
In fact, you may have noticed that I didn’t correct the lighting in the photos of this exhibit—that’s because the rooms themselves created a warm amber glow that added to the happy feeling, and I wanted you to feel it too. If you haven’t been to the Hotel Gajoen, it’s famous for the Hundred Steps…
…and the rooms that open off of them, each featuring walls and ceilings painted by a different famous painter. Which, to be honest, can be hard to tear your eyes away from, because they’re such an overwhelming visual feast. Here, for example, is where the Fox Wedding was set up:
If you haven’t ever been to the Hotel Gajoen, this is the perfect excuse to get thee to Meguro! The exhibit is still running until March 12, 2023.
Where: Hotel Gajoen
1 Chome-8-1 Shimomeguro
Exhibition hours: 10:00-17:00, and until 20:00 on Friday and Saturday
Admission: ¥1600 adults
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If you could use a little more luck and art in your life…
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
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