Imperial treasures highlighted at Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art in Sapporo

An exhibition featuring the artistic treasures of The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan* (Tokyo), especially those that were created by artists from Hokkaido or are otherwise associated with Japan’s northernmost prefecture, is now running at the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art located in the prefectural capital of Sapporo.

*Sannomaru Shozokan: In 1989, the first year of the Heisei era, the then Emperor (currently, Emperor Emeritus) and his mother Empress Kojun (1903-2000) donated artistic treasures — paintings, calligraphy, craft, etc. — that had been passed down in the Imperial Household up until Emperor Showa’s time (1926–89) to the Japanese government. The Sannomaru Shozokan was opened in November 1993 in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace to store, preserve, research and exhibit these items. The collection grew as other members of the Imperial Household left or donated their precious belongings to the state. The museum was temporarily closed in 2019 for renovations to expand its storage and exhibition space, but has partially opened a newly built facility in November 2024. Renovations are due to be completed in 2026.

Cherished Treasures from The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan: Masterpieces Related to Hokkaido

Sep 21 (Sat) – Oct 27 (Sun), 2024

Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art
(Sapporo, Hokkaido)

*See outline below for details

“Cherished Treasures from The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan: Masterpieces Related to Hokkaido,” the exhibition that kicked off on Sept. 21, 2024, showcases works by Kakizaki Hakyo (1764-1826) — a painter who also served as a chief retainer of the Matsumae domain (today’s Matsumae, Hokkaido) during the pre-modern Edo period — and other prominent artists associated with the prefecture alongside some of the finest works of Japanese art brought over from the Sannomaru Shozokan, such as paintings by Edo-period artists Maruyama Okyo (1733-95), Ito Jakuchu (1716-1800) and Sakai Hoitsu (1761-1829).

Among the artists from Hokkaido to be highlighted in the exhibition are modern painters Yamaguchi Hoshun (1893-1971) and Uenoyama Kiyotsugu (1889-1960). Works of ceramicists Miyashita Teiichiro (1912-65) and Komori Shinobu (1889-1962), who was born in Osaka but later chose to work in Hokkaido, will also go on display.

The exhibition runs through Oct. 27, 2024.

Other works to go on display: