When Yoshiro Amitani (1923-1982) was studying at Kyoto University, he met the famous yōga (Western-style painting) artist Ryohei Koiso (1903-1988), whose studio he visited many times and whose work greatly inspired him.

Amitani originally focused on landscapes and scenery, but in the 1950s he began to depict people in various mediums, including oils, watercolors and sumi ink. On display are works from the 1960s and '70s, as well as some early landscapes; Jan. 7-March 18.

BB Plaza Museum of Art; (078) 802-9286; BB Plaza 2F, 4-2-7 Iwaya Nakamachi, Nada-ku, Kobe; Iwaya Station, Hanshin Honsen Line. ¥300. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Mon. bbpmuseum.jp