By Yumi Iwasaki | Project Leader
Dear Friends,
Spring has arrived at the Maruki Gallery—the flowers are starting to bloom, and the trees are sprouting new leaves. It's the season that reminds us of life's renewal and vitality. We hope this message finds you well.
Thank you sincerely for your continued support and interest in the activities of the Maruki Gallery. Today, we’re pleased to share updates on the restoration of the Hiroshima Panels, along with news about special exhibitions and events held at the Gallery.
The Hiroshima Panels (II): Fire returns to the gallery
The restoration of The Hiroshima Panels (II): Fire, currently being carried out at the Institute for Conservation of Cultural Property at Aichi University of the Arts, is nearing completion. The painting is scheduled to return to the Maruki Gallery at the end of May.
With its return, all of The Hiroshima Panels will be on display together for the first time since January 2022, when The Hiroshima Panels (I): Ghosts was sent for restoration.
Thanks to your generous support, we are able to restore The Hiroshima Panels one by one. We are deeply grateful for your continued generosity. As we move forward with the restoration of the third and subsequent panels, we kindly ask for your ongoing support in helping us preserve these important works.
58th Anniversary of the Opening of the Maruki Gallery
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing. It will also be the final anniversary on which visitors can view The Hiroshima Panels in the current gallery building.
As time passes, things change. Yet, some things remain unchanged. We invite you to join us in reflecting on the lives and memories of those depicted in The Hiroshima Panels.
On May 5, musicians Hokimoto Sora and Maeno Kenta, together with dancer Minagawa Mayumu, will give a live performance to commemorate the opening of the gallery. A workshop will also be held by painter Yamauchi Wakana. We look forward to welcoming many visitors for what promises to be a vibrant and memorable day.
Current Special Exhibition: Mochizuki Katsura – The One Who Underpins Freedom
The artist featured in this exhibition is Mochizuki Katsura (1886–1975), who, alongside figures like Osugi Sakae, was actively involved in the labor and peasant movements during the Taisho Period (1912 - 1926). He also co-founded the Kokuyokai, one of Japan’s earliest independent exhibitions.
The exhibition traces the footsteps of Mochizuki through approximately 120 works, including oil and ink paintings, drawings, cartoons, and various related documents.
It will be held from April 5 to July 6, 2025. Please visit our website on the exhibition for more information.
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The Maruki Gallery will be temporarily closed for renovation of the entire building from September 28, 2025 (planned date of reopening is May 2027). Many visitors are visiting the gallery to see the Hiroshima Panels in the current gallery building for the last time.
We thank you again for supporting us throughout this process to enable us to pass the Hiroshima Panels on to future generations.
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