Shimotown Art Project Exhibition: 'Shuku Sanpo's 'Kodawari' Exhibition' to Be Held in Ibaraki Prefecture!

Shimotown Art Project Exhibition: 'Shuku Sanpo's 'Kodawari' Exhibition' to Be Held in Ibaraki Prefecture!

Shuku Sanpo (Shuku Sanpo), known as the 'solitary master painter,' was a renowned artist from Niigata Prefecture who gained popularity for his unique literati-style painting and spent his final years in Shimotown, Ibaraki.

What exactly did Shuku Sanpo mean by his phrase 'the inner line'? This exhibition will explore the mystery behind this concept by displaying approximately 30 carefully selected paintings from the collection of his disciple, Koshōan Seikūshi, along with actual brushes and art materials used by Shuku Sanpo himself.

Additionally, workshops will be held for visitors of all ages, from children to adults.

Exhibition Overview

Exhibition Title: Shuku Sanpo's 'Kodawari' Exhibition

Dates: Wednesday, May 20, 2026 – Tuesday, August 11, 2026 (National Holiday)

Venue: S-Gallery Shuku Sanpo Art Museum (1455-1 Sakahanamachi, Shimotown, Inashiki District, Ibaraki Prefecture)

Opening Hours:

10:00–12:00 (Last entry at 11:30)

13:15–17:00 (Last entry at 16:30)

Closed: Every Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday, July 22. (Note: Open on Monday, July 20, a national holiday)

Admission: 330 JPY

Free for those under 18 and 65 years and older (valid ID required)

Free for individuals with disability certificates and one accompanying person

Organizer/Planner: Shimotown / Shimotown Art Project

Workshop

〇 Eraser Stamp Making

Instructor: Koshōan Seikūshi (Director, S-Gallery Shuku Sanpo Art Museum)

Date and Time: Saturday, June 27, 13:30–15:00

Capacity: 15 participants (advance reservation required)

Fee: Free

Location: S-Lab Training Room

For details, please visit the exhibition's official website.

Shuku Sanpo (Shuku Sanpo) Biography

1902: Born in Nishibori, Niigata City. Birth name: Taiichiro Mizushima

1918: Moved to Tokyo, worked while studying at Okura Commercial School (now Tokyo University of Economics)

1922: Joined the Aoi-bashi Western Painting Institute, led by Kuroda Seiki

1929: First入选 at the Imperial Exhibition (Teiten)

1930: First入选 at the Japan Art Academy Exhibition (In-ten)

1931: Selected again at Teiten; began studying under Kōrin Kōhō around this time

1933: Lived in a temple in Nara

1937: Returned to Tokyo and resumed artistic activities, but thereafter distanced himself from the mainstream art world, focusing on solo exhibitions

1948: Lived in Kugayama, Suginami Ward, Tokyo

1954: Adopted the art name 'Shuku Sanpo'

1972: Held a solo exhibition at Galerie Bernheim-Jeune in Paris

1989: Relocated to Shimotown, Ibaraki Prefecture, where his disciple Koshōan Seikūshi resided

1994: Passed away at the age of 91

2020: S-Gallery Shuku Sanpo Art Museum opened