Open exhibitions, known as kouboten in Japan, not only give young unrepresented artists the opportunity to submit and show their work, but also play an important role in the arts, often determining trends and artistic advances. Kouboten became popular in Asia after the first Japanese-government-sponsored national Bunten exhibition of 1907. Soon after, similar shows were organized in Seoul, Taipei and Changchun, each supporting regional arts.
This exhibition represents 93 artists with 129 works collected from across Japan as well as throughout eastern Asia, and it allows viewers to compare similar art styles from various regions; May 14-June 8.
Fuchu Art Museum; 1-3 Sengen-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo. Higashi-Fuchu Stn. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. ¥700. Closed May 26. 042-336-3371; www.city.fuchu.tokyo.jp/art
