Photo/Illutration Artist Takashi Murakami strikes a pose on Nov. 14 at the Minamiza Theater in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward. (Yoshiaki Arai)

KYOTO--Creative artistic genius Takashi Murakami will be showing off his unique interpretation of this ancient capital’s art at a special exhibition scheduled to start Feb. 3.  

Titled “Takashi Murakami Mononoke Kyoto,” the display, organized by The Asahi Shimbun and other entities, aims to provide the first large-scale solo showcase in Japan in eight years of the works of one of the nation’s representative contemporary artists.

“I am taking full advantage of my accumulated technique to perfect the best thing ever,” said Murakami, 61, at a news conference held on Nov. 14 in Kyoto’s Gion district. “I hope you all will come because it may be the last such opportunity in Japan.”

Most of the 170 items to be exhibited will be newly made productions. The exhibition will continue through Sept. 1, 2024.

Murakami is famed for his colorful pop pieces of art utilizing images from anime and manga.

The solo exhibition will be held at the Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art in the city’s Sakyo Ward, with the hope of celebrating the 90th anniversary of its opening.

Murakami is expected to confront the city of Kyoto through his creations. He is to pitch novel works by citing and reorganizing elements from the masterpieces by painters who have been active mainly in the bygone capital.

Those reference works, for example, include Iwasa Matabei’s “Rakuchu-Rakugai Zu” (Scenes in and around the capital) and Tawaraya Sotatsu’s “Fujin-Raijin Zu” (The picture of wind and thunder gods).” They date to the Edo Period (1603-1867).

Alike among articles to go on display is the original design for a celebratory banner.

The draft was drawn by Murakami to adorn the Kabuki performance commemorating Ichikawa Danjuro XIII’s succession to the distinguished name. It features scenes from all the renowned Kabuki Juhachiban (18 best Kabuki plays).

In attendance at the banner unveiling on Nov. 14 at the Minamiza Theater for Kabuki in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward, were not only Murakami and Ichikawa Danjuro XIII but also film director Takashi Miike, who served as a liaison between them.

“This piece is full of energy but finely arranged gimmicks at the same time,” said Ichikawa Danjuro XIII. “It has something in common with ‘aragoto’ (rough style)” introduced by Ichikawa Danjuro I (1660-1704).