Fuyuko Matsui's shocking yet attractive paintings have garnered her much attention as a modern nihonga (Japanese-style) artist. This retrospective explores Mutsui's past work and aspirations for the future.

Matsui is one the first women to graduate Tokyo University of the Arts with a doctorate in nihonga. She focused on the depiction of spiritual and physical pain while expressing femininity, fear, death and life.

While some of her grotesque motifs, such as maimed female bodies, originate from traditional Japanese paintings, Matsui's personal perspective provides a new direction for a traditional form of art; till Mar. 18.

Yokohama Museum of Art; (045) 221-0300; 3-4-1 Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa; 5-min. walk from Exit 5 of Minatomirai Station, Tokyu Toyoko Line. 10-min. walk from Sakuragicho Station, JR lines. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ¥1,100. Closed Thu. and Dec. 29 to Jan. 3. www.yaf.or.jp/yma.