March 12-May 8
Described as the last artist to paint bunjinga (literati painting, influenced by traditional Chinese culture) and as one of the first to pursue nihonga (Japanese style painting), Tessai Tomioka (1836-1924) left behind many masterpieces. These include shinkei-zu paintings of scenery that he admired while traveling throughout Japan, chōjū -ga animal caricatures and other works based on Japanese and Chinese history.
To commemorate the 180th year since Tessai's birth, the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art is holding an exhibition of around 200 of his painting and calligraphy pieces. This is the first time in 30 years that such a large-scale showing of his work is being exhibited.
Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art; 1-1-1 Wakihama Kaigandori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo. Iwaya Stn. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Fri., Sat. till 8 p.m.). ¥1,300. Closed Mon. 078-262-0901; www.artm.pref.hyogo.jp/eng