Guide
"Forms of Love: The Unveiling of the Phantom Shunga 'Chigo Soshi'" is a special exhibition held at Fukuda Art Museum, exploring the themes of "love and desire" in Japanese culture. The highlight of this exhibition is the first public unveiling of the 'Chigo Soshi,' a collection of Japan's oldest Shunga (erotic art) dating back to the early 14th century. Long considered a "phantom work" that was rarely seen by the public, this collection is a major attraction. The exhibition showcases various masterpieces depicting different forms of love and human desire from the Edo to the Meiji periods.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is the 'Chigo Soshi,' which depicts the intimate relationship between monks and young acolytes (chigo) accompanied by poetic text. The work is characterized by its gentle color tones, detailed facial expressions, and highly narrative structure. Also on display is the 'Koshibagaki Soshi' scroll, a work considered one of Japan's oldest Shunga, modeled after the style of the Edo-period painter Tan Buncho. Additionally, the exhibition features works such as Hakuin Ekaku's 'Shinno-zu' and Yosa Buson's 'Jūni Shinsei-zu Byōbu,' which express diverse human emotions and life forces. Visitors can experience the wide spectrum of human emotional expression through these historical masterpieces.
The exhibition runs from September 19, 2026 (Sat) to January 17, 2027 (Sun).
Please note there is a change in the exhibition lineup during this period:
The venue is Fukuda Art Museum, located along the Oigawa River near Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama, Kyoto.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | Fukuda Art Museum |
As this exhibition features works of high cultural and historical value, please observe the following: The 'Chigo Soshi' is an extremely rare 14th-century historical document. Because the works depict human emotions and physicality, they are significant from an art history perspective. Please note that the collection of works displayed will change during the exhibition period.