Like a tranquil cultural salon An art space that blends into the Hanamachi district
It is run by Kagizen Ryobo, which was founded in the Edo Kyoho era and is known for its kuzukiri (kuzu-kiri) and other Japanese sweets. Zenzo Imanishi, the owner of the store in the early Showa period, was friends with artists who participated in the folk craft movement, including Tatsuaki Kuroda, and Zenya, the 15th owner, opened the museum in 2021 with the intention of creating a salon-like place to introduce their works and contemporary arts and crafts. In addition to exhibiting Kuroda's works, such as mother-of-pearl inlay kuzukiri vessels used in the store until the late Showa period and ceramic works by Kakujiro, the museum also holds special exhibitions by artists such as Akira Yamaguchi and Aiko Miyanaga.
At the time of the photo shoot, the exhibition “Kuroda Tatsuaki: 120th Anniversary of His Birth” was being held, and “Raden Kuzu-kiri (mother-of-pearl inlay kuzu-kiri) vessels” and other exhibits were on display.
The museum has a modern Japanese-style setting that blends in with the tranquil streets of Gion. Inside, earthen walls and wood are used in a design that evokes a sense of nature.
Taro Yamamoto is a Kyoto-based painter known for his “nipponga” style, a fusion of classical Japanese painting and contemporary genres. This exhibition will also feature his new 《Flowers Iris》 series of paintings inspired by Korin Ogata's “kakitsubatazubyobu” screens.
The exhibition features paintings by Etsuro Suzuki, who was active as an illustrator for many magazines from the Showa to Heisei periods, as well as original paintings of confectionery designs by Etsuro and their wooden forms. Enjoy the gentle colors of the motifs in his works.
「museum shop Zplus」 sells works by artists with ties to Kyoto and limited-edition Japanese sweets. It is a great place to pick up souvenirs and gifts.
A smaller version of KIKUJU-TOU, a famous confectionery of Kagizenyoshifusa, in the Museum Shop's original size.
A palm-sized sewing set. Collaboration of “Somenotsukasa Yoshioka”, “Misuya Needle”, metalworker “maimai”.
ZENBI-Kagizenyoshifusa- KAGIZEN ART MUSEUM
075-561-2875
570-107, South side of Gion-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan
3 minutes' walk from Keihan Gion-Shijo Station
10am-6pm (last admission 5.30pm)
Admission 1,000 yen (Varies according to the exhibition)
Closing dates : Monday（or the following day if Tuesday is a holiday）
WEBSITE : https://zenbi.kagizen.com/
