Research on Art Exhibitions in Japan
Tools for research on art exhibitions in Japan and Japanese art exhibitions overseas, including venue/date information, exhibition history, related reference titles (catalogues, reviews, etc.), and featured artworks and artists.
1. History of Exhibitions
Resources on the history of exhibitions in Japan and Japanese art exhibitions overseas.
Suyama Ichirō. Kindai nihon bijutsutenshi [Modern Exhibition History in Japan]. Tokyo: Kokusho Kankōkai, 2023.
A monograph on the history of exhibitions in modern and contemporary Japan. The main section of eight chapters spans the Bakumatsu-Meiji periods to the “Mona Lisa Exhibition” in 1974, describes the development of the unique Japanese exhibition community, involving department stores and newspaper companies. At the end of the publication, “Shiryō hen [Resources]” provides indexes of individual exhibitions, venues, personal names as well as the chronological tables of art exhibitions and art museums in Japan.
Asano Shōichirō. Sengo bijutsuten ryakushi: 1945-1990 [Brief History of Art Exhibitions After World War II, 1945-1990]. Tokyo: Kyūryūdō, 1997.
A monograph on special exhibitions held during the forty-five years from 1945 to 1990. Includes 864 exhibitions held at nationwide museums and department stores in chronological order, including exhibition titles, dates, venues, organizer names, tour venues, total numbers of visitors and daily average.
Shiga Kenjirō. Hyakkaten no tenrankai: Shōwa no misemono 1945-1988 [Department Store Exhibitions: Spectacles of the Shōwa Period]. Tokyo: Chikuma Shobō, 2018.
A monograph on the history of exhibitions held primarily in department stores in Tokyo from 1945-1988. Supplemented with charts of exhibitions held at department stores arranged by theme of the exhibitions.
Mitsuyama Kiyoko. Umi o wataru nihon gendai bijutsu: Ōbei ni okeru tenrankaishi, 1945-95 [Modern Japanese Art Across the Sea: Japanese Art Exhibitions in the Western World, 1945-1995]. Tokyo: Keisō Shobō, 2009.
A monograph on major modern Japanese art exhibitions held in Western countries from 1945 to 1995. Discusses how the exhibitions were evaluated and the evaluation criteria as well as the audiences’ responses and acceptance. At the end, “Tenrankai Risuto [The Exhibition List]” lists major overseas exhibitions including names of organizer, venues, dates, and highlighted artist information. Indexed by exhibition, personal and organization names.
2. Information on Exhibitions
Past Exhibitions
Tools for research on past exhibitions in Japan and abroad (exhibition titles, dates, venues)
In Japan and Abroad
National Center for Art Research. Art Platform Japan: Contemporary Japanese Art Exhibitions from 1945.
A database of approximately 2,400 modern Japanese art exhibitions held in Japan and abroad after World War II. Includes 1) the exhibitions held by national, public, and private art museum, from 1945 to 2018, which were organized by museum curators; and 2) the exhibitions organized and held by art museums in the West from 1945 to 1995. Each entry contains the exhibition title, dates, venue, organizer as well as featured artists and bibliographic citations of the exhibition catalogues. Possible to search by keyword for the exhibition titles, venues, and artist names. The content was enlarged and updated from the two survey reports: Nakajima Masatoshi (ed.). Nihon no bijutsukan ni okeru gendai bijutsuten (Contemporary Art Exhibitions in Japan) (Tokyo: Bunkachō, 2021. PDF version available at the site); and Mitsuyama Kiyoko (ed.). Kokugai de kaisaisareta nihon gendai bijutsuten (Contemporar Contemporary Japanese Art Exhibitions Held Overseas) (2021, PDF version available at the site). In Japanese and English.
Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. Art Exhibitions.
A database of early modern and contemporary Japanese art exhibitions in Japan as well as some exhibitions of pre-modern art and Japanese artists held abroad. Covers approximately 250,000 exhibitions held from 1935 to the end of 2019. Each entry contains exhibition title, venue, dates, and appropriate keywords. Possible to search by exhibition title and exhibition year in addition to keyword.
Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. Art Exhibitions and Film Festivals held outside Japan.
A Database of 4,000 Japanese art exhibitions and film festivals abroad (mainly in western countries) which were presented in English. Compiled by The Sainsbury Institute for Art in England. Each entry contains the exhibition/festival title, venue/traveling venues, dates, additional information, appropriate keywords, and exhibition web link. Possible to search by keyword from exhibition title, venue and by year.
The Japan Foundation (Kokusai Kōryū Kikin) (sv.). Venechia Biennāre (Venice Biennale) to Nihon (Japan at the Venice Biennale 1952-2022). Tokyo: Heibonsha, 2022.
The Japan Foundation (Kokusai Kōryū Kikin) (sv.). Japan at the Venice Biennale 1952-2022. Milan: Electa, 2022.
A monograph on the official Japan programs at the Venice Biennale, 1952-2022. Chronologically arranged from the newest to the oldest. Mainly covers events in the Japan Pavilion, highlighting exhibition views, exhibit images, artists’ comments and commentaries on them, and reception in Japan and abroad as well as numerous essays. Supplemented with a list of major reference sources and index to name of artist and art group. Also available: The Japan Foundation. Japan at the Venice Biennale 1952-2022 (Milan: Electa, 2022).
Mikami Yutaka, Hen’mi Kai, Itō Masanobu, and Japan Foundation Art Team (Kokusai Kōryū Kikin Bijutsu Chīmu) (eds.). Kokusai Kōryū Kikin tenrankaishi: 1972-2022 (The Japan Foundation Exhibitions 1972-2022). Tokyo: Japan Foundation, 2022.
Complete records of exhibitions across the world from 1972 to 2022, organized by the Japan Foundation. Covers special exhibitions, international exhibitions, Yokohama Triennale as well as the exhibition projects of ASEAN-Japan Centre/Asia Center. Chronologically arranged, including exhibition summaries, dates, venues, and highlighted artists.
Japan Society. Japanese Art Exhibitions with Catalogues in the United States of America. [New York, N.Y.]: Japan Society, [1981].
A list compiled by the Japan Society, of 173 public Japanese art exhibitions held in the United States, 1893-1981, which produced exhibition catalogues. Japan Society edited the information collected from museums and museum-related organizations. Includes exhibition titles, venues, dates, exhibition catalogue citations, etc. Hierarchically arranged by states, cities, venues, and then, by dates. Supplemented with an alphabetical list of venues and an index.
In Japan
The National Art Center Tokyo (Kokuritsu Shin Bijutsukan). Nihon no Bijutsu Tenrankai Kiroku 1945-2005 [Art Exhibitions in Japan 1945-2005].
A database of special and feature exhibitions held in Japan after World War II, 1945-2005. Edited by The National Art Center Tokyo, the contents are based on: Nakajima Masatoshi (ed.). “Nihon no bijutsu tenrankai kaisai jisseki: 1945-2005 [Art Exhibitions in Japan: 1945-2005]” (The National Art Center, Tokyo, 2010) which consists of information collected from exhibition catalogues, museum publicity materials and calendar, annuals, official web site, etc. Includes exhibition titles, host museums, venues, dates, organizers, sponsors as well as exhibition catalogue citations and catalogue holding institutions when applicable. Possible to search by keyword for museum names, exhibition titles, year of exhibitions, locations and types of museums.
The National Art Center Tokyo. Exhibitions Search in Japan Art Commons.
For the details of this database please refer to Current Exhibitions. It also includes information on past exhibitions.
Tokyo Art Club (Tōkyō Bijutsu Kurabu) (ed.). Shiseiten no zenbō: Tankōkai, Sansankai, Shōbi-ten kara Tōkyōkai made (Senzen hen) [Overview of Shiseiten: from Tankōkai, Sansankai, Shōbi Exhibition to Tōkyōkai (Before World War II)]. Tokyo: Yagi Shoten, 2012.
A monograph on the exhibitions of Japanese painters’ latest artworks held by department stores and Japanese art dealers (Shiseiten) from April 1910 to December 1944. The contents are based on the research and data collected by the art documentalist, Nakajima Masatoshi. Exhibition organizers included are Mitsukoshi Bijutsubu, Takashimaya Bijutsubu, Japanese painting dealers who belonged to Tōbikai, and Tōkyōkai. Includes exhibition titles, dates, venues, exhibition organizers, highlighted artists, and their artworks as well as reference sources and catalogues which provide the artwork images and the exhibition reviews. Supplemented with “Sakkabetsu keisai zuhan ichiran [A List of Images Arranged by Artist].” Included art groups are:
Tankōkai 淡交会
Shichigenkai 七絃会
Rokuchōkai or Rikuchōkai 六潮会
Shunkōkai 春虹会
Miharukai 三春会
Jūgikai or Tōgikai 十宜会
Mitsukoshi Bijutsubu Shusai Nihonga Ten 三越美術部主催日本画展
Sansankai 珊々会
Tōseikai 踏青会
Seikyūkai 青丘会
Tanjokai 淡如会
Takashimaya Bijutsubu Shusai Nihonga Ten 髙島屋美術部主催日本画展
Shōkeikai 尚絅会
Kyūkōkai 九皐会
Seishōkai 清尚会
Saishōkai 綵尚会
Shōbi Ten 尚美展
Sekishōbidō Shusai Ten関尚美堂主催展
Matsushima Gabō Shusai Nihonga Ten 松島画舫主催日本画展
角谷二葉堂主催日本画展
橋本多聞洞主催日本画展
戸田観美堂主催日本画展
Seiseikai 丼丼会
宮崎井南居主催日本画展
栗田九品庵主催日本画展
Tōkyōkai 東京会
Tokyo Art Club (Tōkyō Bijutsu Kurabu) (ed.). Shiseiten no zenbō: Tōkyō ni okeru hyakkaten, gashō no nihonga tenkan (Sengo hen) [Overview of Shiseiten: Japanese Painting Exhibitions by Department Stores and Art Dealers (After World War II)]. Tokyo: Yagi Shoten, 2015.
A monograph on the exhibitions of Japanese painters’ latest artworks held by department stores and Japanese art dealers (Shiseiten) after the end of World War II (1945 Autumn to December 1970). The contents are based on research and data collected by the art documentalist, Nakajima Masatoshi. Exhibition organizers included are Isetan Bijutsubu, Odakyū Hyakkaten Bijutsubu and eleven other department stores, as well as Awazu Garō, Issaidō and twenty-four other art dealers. Includes exhibition titles, dates, venues, exhibition organizers, highlighted artists, and their artworks as well as reference sources which provide the artwork images and the exhibition reviews. Supplemented with “Sakkabetsu keisai zuhan ichiran [A List of Images Arranged by Artist].” Included art groups are:
Tanseikai 丹青会
Seijukai 青珠会
Tankeikai 丹桂会
Tan’yōkai 丹燿会
Shunkōkai 春光会
Odakyū Hyakkaten Shusai Nihonga Ten 小田急百貨店主催日本画展
Hakufūkai 柏風会
Shakkōkai 赤光会
Myōjōkai 明星会
Sōkeikai 双圭会
Hakukōkai 柏光会
Hakutōkai or Hakudōkai 白桐会
Tantankai 担々会
Hakujukai 白珠会
Shōsenkai 松扇会
Shirakiya Shusai Nihonga Ten 白木屋主催日本画展
Kisaragikai 如月会
Udukikai うづき会
Seibikai 西美会
Seifūkai 西楓会
Seibu Hyakkaten Bijutsubu Shusai Nihonga Ten 西武百貨店美術部主催日本画展
Kinkōkai 錦虹会
Sankōkai 珊光会
Shunkōkai 春虹会
Saikōkai 彩光会
Shinkyōkai 新喬会
Daikōkai 大虹会
Daimaru Bijutsubu Shusai Nihonga Ten 大丸美術部主催日本画展
Sansankai 珊珊会
Seikyūkai 青丘会
Satsukikai 五月会
Shimotsukikai 霜月会
Shunkōkai 春光会
Sōsōkai 淙々会
Hakujukai 白寿会
Chōyōkai 重陽会
Shieikai 芝英会
Satsukikai 皐月会
Yayoikai 弥生会
Shikōkai 至交会
Shiyūkai 至友会
Seiseikai 生々会
Kanaekai 鼎会
Shinshinkai 蓁心会
Tokonatsukai 常夏会
Sōsōkai 淙草会
Sōyōkai 淙葉会
Shinjukai 真珠会
Kōjitsukai 好日会
Shikōkai 紫交会
Shinkōkai 伸浩会
Shigenkai 始玄会
Shikōkai 至皎会
Ōchikai 樗会
Bokkasha 朴花社
Shunshōkai 春椙会
Kyūrinkai 球琳会
Sōkōkai 叢光会
Shunjūkai 春秋会
Takashimaya Bijutsubu Shusai Nihonga Ten 髙島屋美術部主催日本画展
Kōyōkai 髙耀会
Kōshōkai 髙椙会
Kōshūkai 髙柊会
Seitōkai or Aogirikai 青桐会
Tōyoko Hyakkaten Shusai Nihonga Ten 東横百貨店主催日本画展
Rakushōkai 洛松会
Bokushinkai 墨心会
Teiikai 丁亥会
Shinpūkai 新風会
Hokutokai 北斗会
Shinshinkai 菁々会
Shōfūkai 松風会
Rakufūkai 洛風会
Mutsukikai むつき会
Sensenkai 洗々会
Shōraikai 松籟会
Sōkōkai 双光会
Kyūshōkai 九霄会
柘榴会
Hakudōkai 白道会
Kōseikai 交晴会
Saishōkai 彩匠会
双玄会
Kōryūkai 甲龍会
Suizankai 翠山会
Seifūkai 晴風会
Sōshinkai 霜晨会
Matsuzakaya Ueno Ten Shusai Nihonga Ten 松阪屋上野店主催日本画展
Shinshōkai 新梢会
Sankōkai 燦光会
Genkōkai 玄皎会
Seikōkai 成篁会
Seikōkai 清香会
Shinshōkai 新松会
Ginsaikai 銀彩会
Rakushinkai 洛晨会
Senshinkai 浅心会
Shōhakukai 松柏会
Matsuzakaya Ginza Ten Shusai Nihonga Ten 松坂屋銀座店主催日本画展
Suishōkai 翠松会
Shinshōkai 晨松会
Gotōkai 梧桐会
Seirankai 青嵐会
Shōsaikai 昭彩会
Shichigenkai 七絃会
Saikōkai 彩光会
Suimeikai 水明会
Mumeikai 無名会
Sēnukai 清瓊会
Hatsushimokai 初霜会
Tokunikai 悳爾会
Seiyōkai 青羊会
Kunpūkai 薫風会
Fūsōkai 風霜会
Sanshukai or Mitamakai 三珠会
Seiwakai 清和会
Ryōkōkai 瞭光会
Bokujinkai 朴人会
Shōfūkai 昭風会
Mitsukoshi Bijutsubu Shusai Nihonga Ten 三越美術部主催日本画展
Awazu Garō 粟津画廊
Issaisō 一哉堂
Eizendō Garō 永善堂画廊
角谷二葉居
Kujaku Garō 孔雀画廊
栗田九品庵
Kensodō 兼素洞
Kochūkyo 壺中居
Sagamiya Bijutsuten 相模屋美術店
Sakamoto Garō サカモト画廊
Sankeidō 三溪洞
Sanryūdō Garō 三柳堂画廊
Shunpūdō Garō 春風洞画廊 (Shunpūdō Gallery)
Sekishōbidō 関尚美堂
Sōjudō Garō 双樹洞画廊
Tajima Bijutsuten 田島美術店
Tōyō Bijutsukan Garō 東洋美術館画廊
Nakamura Kōkodō 中村好古堂
Fujii Garō フジヰ画廊
Matsushima Gabō 松島畫舫
Marueidō 丸栄堂
Murakoshi Garō 村越画廊 (Gallery Murakoshi)
Yaesu Bijutsu Ten 八重洲美術店
Yayoi Garō 彌生画廊 (Yayoi Gallery)
Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (Kōeki Zaidan Hōjin Nitten). Tenrankai no Hensen to Kaisainen [History of Art Exhibitions by Year].
Starting with Bunten (Monbushō Bijutsu Tenrankai = Ministry of Education Art Exhibition) in 1907, chronologically lists the governmental exhibitions, Teiten (Teikoku Bijutsuin Tenrankai = Imperial Fine Arts Academy Exhibition), Shin Bunten (Monbushō Bijutsu Tenrankai = Ministry of Education Art Exhibition)), and after the privatization of the exhibitions in 1958, Nitten (Nihon Bijutsu Tenrankai = The Japan Fine Arts Exhibition). Includes the year and the series number of each exhibition. Available from the homepage of Nitten.
Current Exhibitions
Tools for research on current and future exhibitions (exhibition titles, dates, venues, etc.)
The National Art Center Tokyo. Exhibitions Search in Japan Art Commons.
A database of art exhibitions held at art museums, museums, galleries, etc. in Japan since 1995.Each entry includes exhibition title, venue, dates, organizer, as well as additional information from exhibition flyers. In addition to keyword search, possible to search using the pages, “ [Exhibition Titles by Japanese Alphabetical Order],” “Tenrankai Kaisainen Betsu [Exhibitions by Year],” “Kaijō 50-on Betsu [Venues by Japanese Alphabetical Order],”and “Kaijō Kenbetsu [Venues by Prefecture].”
Art Beat, Inc.. Tokyo Art Beat.
A website providing information on exhibitions, related events, and available art spaces nationwide. The page, “Tenrankai, Ibento [Exhibitions and Events]” lists the current exhibitions held in art museums and art galleries, and related events. Each entry contains exhibition title, schedule, cost of admission, venue with address and how to get to the venue (information from the official website) as well as phone number, related images, and exhibition overview. Possible to search by genre, category, and popular search terms. Regularly lists over 600 exhibitions and over 750 art spaces. In Japanese and English.
DNP Dai Nippon Insatsu Kabushiki Gaisha (Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.). Artscape.
A web magazine on current information about art museums and art activities. Issued on the 1st and 15th of each month. “Tenrankai Sukejūru [Exhibition Schedule]” covers information on the current exhibitions including exhibition titles, venues, and dates. Possible to search by prefectures, areas, genre, and random keyword. In addition, covers exhibition reviews (artscape Rebyū [Artscape Review]) and information on traveling exhibitions.
Kabushiki Gaisha Tanseisha (Tanseisha Co., Ltd). Ai Em Intānetto Mūjiamu (I M Internet Museum).
A website on museum activities. “Tenrankai [Exhibition]” includes information on current and future exhibitions and art events held in museums in Japan. Included under each exhibition are dates, opening hours, museum closed days, how to obtain a ticket, official web site, venue/venue address, and exhibition overview. In addition to keyword search, possible to search by geographical area, museum genre, museum facilities, and art genre.
3. Exhibition Catalogues
Tools for research on exhibition catalogues, exhibition reviews, and reference resources on exhibitions.
Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. Exhibition Catalogues.
A database of bibliographic records for approximately 50,000 exhibition catalogues held by Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. Possible to search by keyword for catalogue title and author, as well as year.
Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. Books on Japanese Art (published outside of Japan.
A database of approximately 1,000 monographs and catalogues of Japanese art exhibitions published abroad, compiled by the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures (SISJAC). Possible to search by title, author/editor, publisher, year, and other keywords.
The Art Library Consortium (Bijutsu Toshokan Renrakukai). Bijutsu Toshokan Ōdan Kensaku [Art Library Cross-Search] (ALC Search).
A cross-search database of 14 art libraries who are members of The Art Library Consortium which hold a large number of exhibition catalogues. Possible to search by title, author, publisher, date, and ISBN as well as by keyword. The participating institutions are: The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura and Hayama (Kanagawa Kenritsu Kindai Bijutsukan), National Crafts Museum (Kokuritsu Kōgeikan), The National Museum of Art, Osaka (Kokuritsu Kokusai Bijutsukan), The National Art Center Tokyo (Kokuritsu Shin Bijutsukan), The National Museum of Western Art (Kokuritsu Seiyō Bijutsukan), National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (Tōkyō Kokuritsu Kindai Bijutsukan), Tokyo National Museum (Tōkyō Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan), Edo-Tokyo Museum (Tōkyō-to Edo Tōkyō Hakubutsukan), Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (Tōkyō-to Gendai Bijutsukan), Tokyo Photographic Art Museum (Tōkyō-to Shashin Bijutsukan), Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (Tōkyō-to Bijutsukan), Yokohama Museum of Art (Yokohama Bijutsukan), Yoshino Gypsum Art Foundation (Yoshino Sekkō Bijutsu Shinkō Zaidan).
4. Information on objects displayed in exhibitions (artists, artworks, etc.)
Tools for research on exhibits and exhibition histories of individual artists.
Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Art Dept. (Tōkyō Kokuritsu Bunkazai Kenkyūjo, Bijutsubu) (ed.). Naikoku kangyō hakurankai bijutsuhin shuppin mokuroku [Complete Catalogue of Exhibits in the National Industrial Expositions]. Tokyo: Chūō Kōron Bijutsu Shuppan, 1996.
A monograph on the art exhibits from the National Industrial Expositions (Naikoku Kangyō Hakurankai) organized by the Meiji Government. Covers from no. 1 (1877) to 5 (1903). Lists all exhibits and the artists who received Medals (Hōshō). Arranged by the exhibition year (order of the series number). Supplemented with a name index in Japanese alphabetical order. Useful tool for research on individual artists’ exhibition history.
Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Art Dept. (Tōkyō Kokuritsu Bunkazai Kenkyūjo, Bijutsubu) (ed.). Meiji-ki bankoku hakurankai bijutsuhin shuppin mokuroku [Catalogue of Exhibits in the World Expositions of the Meiji Period]. Tokyo: Chūō Kōron Bijutsu Shuppan, 1997.
A monograph on the arts and crafts exhibits in the nine World Expositions in which Japan participated during the Bakumatsu-Meiji period. The nine expositions include Paris World Exposition (1867, 1889, 1900), Vienna World Exposition (1873), Philadelphia World Exposition (1876), World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago (1893), Saint Louis World Exposition (1904), and Japan-British Exhibition (1910). Includes list of exhibits and award winners. Arranged by year, then by exposition. Supplemented with a name index in Japanese alphabetical order. Useful tool for research on individual artists’ exhibiting history.
Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Art Dept. (Tōkyō Kokuritsu Bunkazai Kenkyūjo, Bijutsubu) (ed.). Meiji-ki fuken hakurankai shuppin mokuroku [Catalogue of Exhibits in the Prefectural Expositions of the Meiji Period]. Tokyo: Chūō Kōron Bijutsu Shuppan, 2004.
A monograph of reproduced exhibit lists from the prefectural expositions in Japan from 1871 to 1876. Covers forty-two expositions held in prefectures across the country. Expositions included are Daigaku Nankō Bussankai 大学南校物産会 (Tokyo 1871), Monbushō Hakurankai 文部省博覧会)(Tokyo 1872), Yamashitamon-nai Hakubutsukan Hakurankai 山下門内博物館博覧会 (Tokyo 1873, 1874), Seidō Shoga Daitenkan 聖堂書画大展観)(Tokyo 1873), Yoshiwara Hakurankai (吉原博覧会) (Tokyo 1874), Honganji Shūrankai 本願寺集覧会 (Kyoto 1875), and Ōsaka Hakubutsujō Taikai 大阪博物場大会)(Osaka 1876). Arranged by year, then by exposition. Indexed by name of exhibiter, arranged by their name in Japanese scripts.
Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Art Dept. (Tōkyō Bunkazai Kenkyūjo, Bijutsubu) (ed.). Meijiki bijutsu tenrankai shuppin mokuroku [Catalogue of Art Exhibits in Exhibitions of the Meiji Period]. Tokyo: Chūō Kōron Bijutsu Shuppan, 1994.
A monograph on major art group exhibitions covering five groups, Kangakai 鑑画会 (Painting Appreciation Society), Meiji Bijutsukai 明治美術会 (Meiji Art Association), Nihon Seinen Kaiga Kyōkai 日本青年絵画協会. (Young Artists’ Exhibition), Nihon Kaiga Kyōkai 日本絵画協会 (Japan Painting Association), Hakubakai 白馬会. Organized in two sections, 1) List of art exhibits arranged by art group, by exhibition series number, and by artist name in Japanese alphabetical order; and 2) List of participating artists arranged by art group and then by artist name in Japanese alphabetical order.
Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Art Dept. (Tōkyō Bunkazai Kenkyūjo, Bijutsubu) (ed.). Taishōki bijutsu tenrankai shuppin mokuroku [Catalogue of Artworks in Exhibitions of the Taishō Period]. Tokyo: Chūō Kōron Bijutsu Shuppan, 2002.
A monograph on art objects in major exhibitions and expositions in the Taishō period (1912-1926), organized by thirty-three art groups. Arranged by name of exhibition/exposition and then, by artist’s name in Japanese alphabetical order. Indexed by artist’s name. The supplemental volumes indexes artists "go"(pseudonyms). A useful tool for research on individual artists’ exhibition history. Included art groups are:
1930-nen Kyōkai 1930年協会 (1930 Association)
Akushon アクション (Action)
Chūō Bijutsuten 中央美術展
Enchōkai 円鳥会
Fukkō Kinen Gōdō Chōsoten 復興記念合同彫塑展
Fyūzan-kai フュウザン会 (Fusain Society)
Hakujitsukai 白日会
Heiwa Kinen Tōkyō Hakurankai 平和記念東京博覧会
Kamenkai 仮面会 (Le Masque)
Kinreisha 金鈴社
Kōfūkai 光風会 (Kofūkai Art Association)
Kōgensha 曠原社
Kokuga Gyokuseikai 国画玉成会
Kokuga Sōsaku Kyōkai 国画創作協会(Association for the Creation of National Painting)
Mavo マヴォ
Monbushō Bijutsu Tenrankai 文部省美術展覧会 (Ministry of Education Art Exhibition)
Nihon Chōkokukai 日本彫刻会 (Japan Society of Sculpture)
Nihon Sōsaku Hanga Kyōkai 日本創作版画協会 (the Japan Creative Print Art Association)
Nikakai 二科会 (Nika Association)
Ōsaka Bijutsuten 大阪美術展
Ōsaka-shi Bijutsu Kyōkai Ten 大阪市美術協会展
Saikō Nihon Bijutsuin 再興日本美術院 (Reorganized Japan Art Institute)
Sangokai 珊瑚会
Sekiyōkai 赤曜会
Shinjusha 新樹社
Shinkō Yamatoe’kai 新興大和絵会
Shōtoku Taishi Hōsan Tenrankai 聖徳太子奉賛展覧会
Shun’yōkai 春陽会
Sōdosha 草土社 (Grass and Earth Society)
Teikoku Bijutsuin Bijutsu Tenrankai 帝国美術院美術展覧会 (Exhibtions of the Imperial Fine Arts Academy)
Tōdai Chōsokai 東台彫塑会
Tōkyō Kangyō Hakurankai 東京勧業博覧会 (Tokyo Industrial Exposition)
Tōkyō Taishō Hakurankai 東京大正博覧会
Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties Art Dept. (Tōkyō Bunkazai Kenkyūjo, Bijutsubu) (ed.). Shōwaki bijutsu tenrankai shuppin mokuroku. Sezen hen [Catalogue of Artworks in exhibitions of the Shōwa Period. Before World War II]. Tokyo: Chūō Kōron Bijutsu Shuppan, 2006.
A monograph on exhibited artworks in major exhibitions and expositions held in the Shōwa period, up to the end of World War II (1926-1945), organized by thirty-two art groups. Arranged by exhibition/exposition and then, by artist’s name in Japanese alphabetical order. Indexed by artist’s name. Useful for research on individual artists’ exhibition history. Included art groups are:
Bijutsu Bunka Kyōkai 美術文化協会 (Bijutsu Bunka Art Association)
Dai Nihon Kaiyō Bijutsuten 大日本海洋美術展
Dai Nihon Rikugun Jūgun Gaka Kyōkai 大日本陸軍従軍画家協会
Dai Tō-A Sensō Bijutsuten 大東亜戦争美術展
Dokuritsu Bijutsu Kyōkai 独立美術協会 (Independent Art Association)
Issuikai 一水会
Jiyū Bijutsuka Kyōkai, Bijutsu Sōsakuka Kyōkai 自由美術家協会・美術創作家協会 (Free Artists Association, Association of Creative Artists)
Kōgenkai 洪原会
Kōkū Bijutsuten 航空美術展
Kokugakai 国画会
Kōzōsha 構造社
Kyōto-shi Bijutsuten 京都市美術展
Kyūshitsukai 九室会 (Ninth Room Society)
Nihon Hanga Kyōkai 日本版画協会 (The Japan Print Association)
Nikakai 二科会 (Nika Association)
NOVA Bijutsu Kyōkai NOVA美術協会 (NOVA Art Association)
Puroretaria (Proletariat) Bijutsu Dai Tenrankai プロレタリア美術大展覧会 (Proletarian Art Exhibition)
Rekitei Bijutsu Kyōkai 歴程美術協会 (Rekitei Art Association).
Rikugun Bijutsu Tenrankai 陸軍美術展覧会
Rusōgasha 瑠爽画社
Saikō Nihon Bijutsuin 再興日本美術院 (Reorganized Japan Art Institute)
Sanjusha, Shin Nihonga Kenkyūkai, Shin Bijutsujin Kyōkai 山樹社・新日本画研究会・新美術人協会
Seiryūsha 青龍社
Seisen Bijutsuten 聖戦美術展
Shin Jidai Yōgaten 新時代洋画展
Shin Seisaku-ha Kyōkai 新制作派協会 (Shinseisakuha Art Society)
Shinjingakai 新人画会 (New Artsits' Group)
Shun’yōkai 春陽会
Sōki Bijutsu Kyōkai 創紀美術協会
Teiten, Shin Bunten 帝展・新文展
Zōkei 造型
Zōkei Bijutsuka Kyōkai 造形美術家協会
Tōkyō Bunkazai Kenkyūjo (Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties) (ed.). Kindai nihon āto katarogu korekushon [Modern Japanese Art Catalogue Collection]. 89 volumes. Tokyo: Yumani Shobō, 2001-2008.
A multi-volume publication which reproduces exhibit lists and catalogues of major public-entry and artist group exhibitions from the early Meiji period to 1945. A useful tool for research on exhibited artworks. Included exhibition organizers are:
1930-nen Kyōkai 1930年協会 (1930 Association)
Bijutsu Bunka Kyōkai 美術文化協会 (Bijutsu Bunka Art Association)
Bijutsu Sōsakuka Kyōkai美術創作家協会 (Association of Creative Artists)
Chokudokai 直土会
Chōsokai 彫塑会
Dai Sanbukai 第三部会
Dokuritsu Bijutsu Kyōkai 独立美術協会 (Independent Art Association)
Fukkō Kinen Chōso Gōdō Tenrankai 復興記念彫塑合同展覧会
Fyūzan-kaiフュウザン会 (Fusain Society)
Hakubakai 白馬会
Hakujitsukai 白日会
Issuikai 一水会
Jiyū Bijutsuka Kyōkai 自由美術家協会 (Free Artists Association)
Kaijusha 槐樹社
Kanko Bijutsukai 観古美術会 (Kanko Art Exhibition)
Kōfūkai 光風会 (Kofūkai Art Association)
Kokuga Sōsaku Kyōkai 国画創作協会(Association for the Creation of National Painting)
Kokugakai 国画会
Kokumin Bijutsu Kyōkai 国民美術協会
Kokumin Bijutsu Kyōkai Shusaiten 国民美術協会主催展
Kōzōsha, Shin Kōzōsha 構造社・新構造社
Meiji Bijutsukai 明治美術会 (Meiji Art Association)
Museikai 无声会
Naikoku Kaiga Kyōshinkai 内国絵画共進会（National Painting Competition）
Nihon Bijutsu Kyōkai 日本美術協会 (The Japan Art Association)
Nihon Jiyū Gadan 日本自由画壇
Nihon Nanga’in 日本南画院
Nikakai 二科会 (Nika Association)
Pandora-sha 蕃土拉舎
Seiryūsha 青龍社
Shun’yōkai 春陽会
Sōdosha 草土社 (Grass and Earth Society)
Taiheiyō Gakai 太平洋画会 (Pacific Painting Association)
Tōdai Chōsokai 東台彫塑会
Tōhō Chōsoin 東邦彫塑院
Tōkyō Chōkōkai 東京彫工会 (Tokyo Carvers’ Association)
Ugōkai 烏合会
Nitten Shi Hensan Iinkai (ed.). Nitten shi [History of the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition]. 41 volumes. Tokyo: Nitten, 1980-2002.
Essential resources on the history of kanten (government-sponsored exhibition), starting from its first, Bunten (Monbushō Bijutsu Tenrankai) in 1907 through 1945, and its successor after World War II, Nitten (Nihon BijutsuTenrankai) to 1978. Includes exhibit lists, exhibits images, names of awardees and related reference sources. Volume 31 provides a name index. The volumes are arranged by chronological order as:
- Bunten hen文展編 (Monbushō Bijutsu Tenrankai = Ministry of Education Art Exhibition)（1–5）
- Teiten hen帝展編 (Teikoku Bijutsuin Tenrankai = Imperial Fine Arts Academy Exhibition)（６–11）
- Kaiso hen 改組編 (Kaiso Teikoku Bijutsuin Tenrankai = Reorganized Imperial Fine Arts Academy Art Exhibition)（12）
- Shin Bunten hen新文展編 (Monbushō Bijutsu Tenrankai = Ministry of Education Art Exhibition)（13–15）
- Nitten hen日展編 (Nihon Bijutsu Tenrankai = The Japan Fine Arts Exhibition)（16–20）
- Shin Nitten hen新日展編（21–31）
- Kaiso Nitten hen改組日展編（32–41）
Nitten Shi Hensan Iinkai (ed.). Nitten shi shiryō [Resource on the History of Nitten]. Tokyo: Nitten, 1990.
- 1: Bunten (Monbushō Bijutsu Tenrankai), Teiten (Teikoku Bijutsuin Tenrankai), Shin Bunten (Monbushō Bijutsu Tenrankai), Nitten (Nihon Bijutsu Tenrankai) zen shuppin mokuroku, 1907-1957 [A complete List of Exhibits in Ministry of Education Art Exhibition, Imperial Fine Arts Academy Exhibition, Ministry of Education Art Exhibition, 1907-1957].
- 2: Bunten (Monbushō Bijutsu Tenrankai), Teiten (Teikoku Bijutsuin Tenrankai), Shin Bunten (Monbushō Bijutsu Tenrankai), Nitten (Nihon Bijutsu Tenrankai) shuppinreki sakuin, 1907-1957 [An Index to the Exhibits in Ministry of Education Art Exhibition, Imperial Fine Arts Academy Exhibition, Ministry of Education Art Exhibition and Nitten, 1907-1957].
Volume [1] lists exhibits arranged by genre; and volume 2 indexes the exhibits by artists’ names. Useful as an overview of the exhibits in individual exhibitions and the exhibiting history of individual artists.
Nihon Bijutsuin Hyakunenshi Henshūshitsu (ed.). Nihon Bijutsuin hyakunenshi [A Hundred Year’s History of Nihon Bijutsuin]. 15 volumes + Index. Tokyo: Nihon Bijutsuin (Japan Art Institute), 1989-2004.
A monograph on a history of Inten exhibitions held by Nihon Bijutsuin (Japan Art Institute) which was established in 1898. In addition to lists of exhibits and exhibits images, includes exhibition and exhibit reviews of the time, information on artists and a chronology. Also included is information on other exhibitions closely related to Nihon Bijutsuin. Period covered is from the year of Vienna World Exposition, 1873 to 1998.
The International Research Center for Japanese Studies (Kokusai Nihon Bunka Kenkyū Sentā). Kindai Nihon Bijutsuten Ehagaki Dētabēsu (Database of Postcards from Art Exhibitions held in Pre-war Japan).
A database of exhibition postcards highlighting exhibits, in the collection of The International Research Center for Japanese Studies. As of June 15, 2023, includes postcards from the 1st to 12th Bunten (Monbushō Bijutsu Tenrankai = Ministry of Education Fine Arts Exhibition). Contents include postcard images, genre of artwork on the postcard, artist information (name and birth/death dates), exhibition information (name, series number, and year). In addition to keyword, possible to search by exhibition name, artist name (with phonetic reading). The center plans to continue adding more postcard images to the database.
5. Exhibition Reviews
Tools for research of exhibition reviews.
Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties (Tōkyō Bunkazai Kenkyūjo). Bunkazai Kankei Dētabēsu [References on Cultural Properties].
A union catalogue database of the bibliographic databases specialized in cultural properties, complied by Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties. One can search exhibition reviews published in newspapers and periodicals by keyword. Includes approximately 700,000 bibliographic citations. Included titles in the databases are:
- Bijutsu Kankei Bunken美術関係文献 (Publication references on art) (based on the information collected for preparing Nihon Bijutsu Nenkan (Yearbook of Japanese Art) [Japan Art Annual]
- Tōkyō Bunkazai Kenkyūjo Kenkei Kankōbutsu Shosai Bunken東京文化財研究所関係刊行物所載文献 (Articles from Tobunken publications)
- Eikoku Seinzuberī Nihon Geijutsu Kenkyūjo Sairoku Kiji Jōhō 英国セインズベリー日本藝術研究所採録記事情報(Japanese Art Related Information outside of Japan (compiled by the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures)
- Geinō San-zasshi Shosai Kiji 芸能三雑誌所載記事（『謡曲界』『能楽画報』『幕間』）(”Yōkyokukai” ”Nōgaku Gahō” “Makuma” (Articles from three performing arts publications)
- Bijutsu Zenshū Shosai Kiji美術全集所載記事 (Articles from Bijutsu zenshū (Complete Works of Art History)
- Geppō (zenshū furoku) Shosai Bunken月報（全集付録）所載文献 (Articles in Geppō (Monthly Reports).
Nihon bijutsu nenkan (Yearbook of Japanese Art) [Japan Art Annual].
- Volumes of 1936-1943: Edited by Bijutsu Kenkyūjo (Tokyo: Bijutsu Kenkyūjo, 1936－1938, 1940－1943, 1947).
- Volumes of 1944, 1945/1946: Edited by Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan, Bijutsu Kenkyūjo (Tokyo: Bijutsu Kenkyūjo, 1949).
- Volumes of 1947-1951: Edited by Bunkazai Hogo Iinkai, Bijutsu Kenkyūjo (Tokyo: Bijutsu Kenkyūjo, 1952).
- Volumes of 1952, 1953: Edited Tōkyō Bunkazai Kenkyūjo Bijutsubu (Bijutsu Kenkyūjo) (Tokyo: Tōkyō Bunkazai Kenkyūjo, 1953, 1954).
- Volumes of 1954-1999: Edited by Tōkyō Bunkazai Kenkyūjo Bijutsubu (Bijutsu Kenkyūjo) (Tokyo: Tōkyō Bunkazai Kenkyūjo, 1954-2000).
- Volumes of 2002-2005: Edited by Tōkyō Bunkazai Kenkyūjo Bijutsubu (Tokyo: Tōkyō Bunkazai Kenkyūjo, 2002-2007).
- Volumes for 2006-2014: Edited by Tōkyō Bunkazai Kenkyūjo Kikaku Jōhōbu (Tokyo: Tōkyō Bunkazai Kenkyūjo, 2008-2016).
- Volume for 2015: Edited by Tōkyō Bunkazai Kenkyūjo Bunkazai Jōhō Shiryōbu (Tokyo: Tōkyō Bunkazai Kenkyūjo, 2017).
- (Omitted below)
Started by Institute of Cultural Properties (Bunkazai Kenkyūjo) in 1936, Nihon Bijutsu Nenkan (Yearbook of Japanese Art) [Japan Art Annual] reports annual art activities and movements in Japan. Includes information on exhibitions such as dates, venues, citations of exhibition reviews in newspapers and periodicals, and other related references. Except for the most recent volume, one can view the annuals at the repository of the Tokyo National Research Institute of Cultural Properties.
National Diet Library (Kokuritsu Kokkai Toshokan). Kokuritsu Kokkai Toshokan Sāchi (NDL Search).
Information resource database complied by the National Diet Library. A useful tool to search exhibition reviews published in periodicals. In addition to resources held by the National Diet Library, it also functions as a cross-search platform for holdings and various digital resources held by prefectural libraries and municipal libraries in the ordinance-designated city.
Kobayashi Tadashi (ed.). Bijutsu kankei zasshi mokuji sōran: Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa senzen hen [Directory of Content Notes in Art Related Periodicals from Meiji, Taishō and Shōwa Periods up to Pre-World War II].
Lists contents notes of major art journals and periodicals published from the Meiji period to before World War II. A useful tool to find exhibition reviews. Arranged by journal title and then, in volume-number order. A supplemental volume includes three indexes by article author, by featured artists and by people who appear in article titles. Included journals/periodicals are:
Atorie (Atelier)『アトリエ』
Bi no Kuni『美之国』
Bijutsu Hyōron『美術評論』
Bijutsu Kenkyū『美術研究』
Bijutsu no Nihon『美術之日本』
Bijutsu Shashin Gahō『美術写真画報』
Bijutsu Shigaku『美術史学』
Bijutsu Shinpō『美術新報』
Bijutsu Shinron『美術新論』
Bijutsu『美術』
Bijutsuen『美術園』
Chūō Bijutsu『中央美術』
Dai Nihon Bijutsu Shinpō『大日本美術新報』
Etchingu (Etching)『エッチング』
Fūzoku Gahō『風俗画報』
Garon『画論』
Gasetsu『画説』
Gayū Sekichin『臥遊席珍』
Gendai no Yōga『現代の洋画』
Han Geijutsu『版芸術』
Hanga Club『版画CLUB』
Hanga『版画』
Heitan『平旦』
Hōsun『方寸』
Kaiga Sōshi『絵画叢誌』
Kaze『風』
Kensei Bijutsu『研精美術』
Kensei Gashi『研精画誌』
Kōfū『光風』
Kōgei『工芸』
Kokuga『国画』
Kyōto Bijtsu『京都美術』
Kyōto Bijutsu Kyōkai Zasshi『京都美術協会雑誌』
Maroni’e (Marronnier)『マロニエ』
Mavo『マヴォ』
Meiji Bijutsukan Hōkoku『明治美術会報告』
Meiji Bunka Kenkyū『明治文化研究』
Meiji Bunka『明治文化』
Minato『港』
Mizue『みづゑ』
Nihon Bijutsu Kyōkai Hōkoku『日本美術協会報告』
Nihon Bijutsu『日本美術』
Nihon Hanga『日本版画』
Ryūchikai Hōkoku『龍池会報告』
Seikatsu Bijutsu『生活美術』
Seisaku『制作』
Serekuto (Select)『セレクト』
Shi to Hanga『詩と版画』
Shin Bijutsu『新美術』
Shin Hanga『新版画』
Shin-Kyū Jidai『新旧時代』
Shirakaba『白樺』
Shiro to Kuro『白と黒』
Tōei『塔影』
Tōyō Kaiga Sōshi『東洋絵画叢誌』
Tsukubae『月映』
Zōkei Geijutsu『造形芸術』
Kōseisha. Zasshi Kiji Sakuin Shūsei Dētabēsu (Zassaku Purasu) (The Complete Database for Japanese Magazines and Periodicals from Meiji Era to the Present (Zassaku Plus)). (Institutional membership required)
A citation database of approximately 30,000,000 periodical articles, based on Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa Zenki Zasshi Kiji Sakuin Shūsei [Index to Magazine and Periodical Articles from the Meiji, Taishō, and Early Shōwa Periods] (Kōseisha, 120 volumes). One can search exhibition reviews using keyword for exhibition title using “Kan’i kensaku gamen [Simple search page]”. Also integrates with National Diet Library’s periodical article index (Zasshi Kiji Sakuin [Periodical Article Index]) and digital collection, CiNii Research, and 20-seiki Media Jōhō Dētabēsu [the 20th Century Media Information Database] (Prange Collection), etc. Strong coverage in publications from the pre-World War II period.
※ You can access this online tool in the reading rooms of any of the national museum libraries. Regarding how to use the libraries please refer to “Research Center Directory” of each national museum library
※Additionally, one can search for exhibition reviews published in newspapers using Asahi Shinbun Kurosu Sāchi (Asahi Shimbun Cross-Search), Yomidasu Rekishikan (Yomiuri Database Service), and Maisaku [Mainichi Newspaper].
(Translated by Yoshimura Reiko) (Published online: 2024-07-09)