【Discover the Feature Exhibition】OMOU（思・想・念）

 ―Thinking about something…―

Feature Exhibition Room 4,

February 1st (Tue.) ~ April 17th (Sun.), 2022

Noh Mask 'Oumi-onna' used for the role of woman in intense love

We live our Lives thinking about many things. When we think about it, we realize that the word ”Omou（思う）or "think" has many different meanings, and we have many different kinds of thoughts in our minds.

For example, to picture a person you love : “Omoi (想い)”, or to keep the sorrow of parting from your loved ones in your heart forever : “Omoi (懐い)”. These have the same sounds, but different Kanji characters, and slightly different meanings. 

There are many more forms of "Omoi". 

In contrast to the tranquil thoughts of everyday life: “Omoi(思い)”, there are also more powerful thoughts about extraordinary things: “Omoi (念い) ".

Picture of a husband burning incense, and seeing an apparition of his wife in the smoke

It can also have social meaning, like "pray", or "hope" for something, or even promise. For example, in agriculture and fishing we pray for a bountiful harvest with single-minded devotion. Also, thoughts that connect us to places beyond our human understanding are essential for our community life : “Omoi (推い) ”.

“Omoi” can also be the simple thought of someone else in our everyday lives. It is also “Omoi” to care about the future of our children, and to reminisce about our departed parents. All of these forms of "Omoi" mean that we move freely through time into the past, present or the future in our thoughts. Thanks to the thoughts that persist constantly in our minds: “Omoi (意い) ” , we have the power to live in this world, respond immediately to anything in it.

Yes, we all live our lives with a variety of thoughts and feelings, and all of these are "Omoi."

Entrance to the exhibition

【Discover the Feature Exhibition】 The Story of Iron

- Thinking about history through iron -

Feature Exhibition Room 3, 

February 1st (Tue.) ~ April 3rd (Sun.), 2022

Iron Slag

There was an independent archaeologist named Fukae Yoshikazu who did important work around the time to 1960 to 1970. He conducted on-the-spot-investigations, and discovered and recorded a lot of remains and relics before the time that the Cultural Properties Protection Administration was established.

The materials that Mr. Fukae left to us included a large number ofrelics called “Tessai” (or iron slag).

Why did Mr. Fukae collect iron slag, which was just waste iron for the people of that historical era? When was the iron slag produced? When did people in Fukuoka start making iron? How did the production and use of iron, now so common in our lives, spread?

In this exhibition, we will make use of these materials as a guide to explore the history of iron in Fukuoka. 

Exhibition view

【Discover the Feature Exhibition】 Four Noble Ones

－Magnificent and traditional paintings of plants and flowers－

Feature Exhibition Room 2, 

February 1st (Tue.) ~ April 10th (Sun.), 2022

Moon and Plum

“Four Noble Ones” (or four plants that symbolize a wise man) have been painted primarily in Japan, China and Korea since ancient times. The four subjects of the paintings are orchids, bamboo, plum blossoms and chrysanthemums. The reason why these plants have traditionally been painted is that the qualities of each plant are associated with the ideal person who combines virtue, intelligence, and civility. For example, the flower of the orchid has a subtly elegant scent; the bamboo is straight and has a purity that does not break in the wind; the plum blossom has an innocence that can endure a harsh frost; and the chrysanthemum has the strength and vitality to bloom beautifully in late autumn.

"Four Noble Ones" were embraced by painters, poets and the literati in Japan during the Edo Period because of their longing for Chinese culture. Kamei Shokin (1798-1858), a grandson of the well-known Kamei Nanmei, also left excellent works in Chikuzen, Fukuoka. Moreover, beginners who are learning to paint have a fascination for the four subjects of the paintings, so these works were also produced by many feudal lords who loved painting.

In this exhibition, we will be showcasing the paintings depicting “Four Noble Ones” and its world of noble beauty.

Exhibition view

【Discover the Feature Exhibition】 See and Admire the Mounts of Paintings

－For people who love paintings, fabric and paper design－

 Feature Exhibition Room 1, 

February 1st (Tue.) ~ April 3rd (Sun.), 2022

The delight of seeing art works is enhanced if you look around the actual painting. For example, the wall that the painting is hung on, the arrangement of the room, the season, the time of day… There are countless factors that affect how we see and enjoy paintings. One of the splendors of Japanese art lies in its organic relationship with its surroundings. We cannot explain everything about it in the exhibition room, but we will focus on the mounts of paintings as an introduction.

 A mount is a structure to reinforce, display, and store paintings - And at the same time it also plays a role in decoration and solemnity. Unlike the paintings themselves, which are taken care of as a valuable cultural resource, the mountings are less likely to be inserted in a pictorial record or database (For that reason, to be honest, it takes time and effort to prepare the exhibition.). 

We hope to introduce to you a little bit of a different way to enjoy Japanese art. Please notice the unique mounts as well as the various colors of “Kire”, which are the fabrics used for the mounts. 

Exhibition view