Himeji Literary Museum Special Exhibition: "30th Anniversary of Manga Artist Fumiyo Kono: Birds Fly, Rabbits Hop, Flowers Sway, Running and Falling, A Long Journey"
This special exhibition at the Himeji Literary Museum celebrates the 30th anniversary of manga artist Fumiyo Kono's career. It features over 500 original manga drawings, illustrations, picture book originals, storyboards, and previously unreleased footage, offering a comprehensive look at her artistic journey. The exhibition is divided into two periods, with various related events including live painting, lectures, and film screenings.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 16, 2026 at 01:12 (14h 40m after Collected)
Exhibition Poster
Exhibition Period
First Period: Saturday, April 18, 2026, to Sunday, May 10, 2026
Second Period: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, to Sunday, June 21, 2026
On Tuesday, May 12, only the permanent exhibition will be open due to exhibition changeover.
Closed: Mondays, and Thursday, May 7. However, Monday, May 4 (public holiday) will be open.
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Last admission at 4:30 PM)
Venue
Himeji Literary Museum
Admission Fee
General: 1,100 yen
20% discount for those who bring a used admission ticket or digital ticket from the first period to the second period.
Admission is free for those under 18 (including those who will turn 18 by the first March 31 after their birthday).
Half price for holders of a physical disability certificate, rehabilitation certificate, or mental disability welfare certificate (please present your certificate or Mirairo ID app screen) and one caregiver.
20% discount for groups of 30 or more.
Permanent exhibition also viewable.
No advance tickets available.
Organizer
Himeji Literary Museum
Supervision
Shin Fukunaga
Cooperation
Kure City Museum of Art, Coamix, Asahi Shimbun Publications, Nihon Bungeisha, Heibonsha
Planning
Seigensha Promotion
Sponsorship
Asahi Shimbun Himeji Branch, Kobe Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun Kobe General Bureau, Sun Television, Harima Jiho-sha, Harima Living Shimbun-sha, Himeji Cable Television, Himeji City FM21, Mainichi Shimbun Himeji Branch, Yomiuri Shimbun Himeji Branch, Radio Kansai
Highlights of the Exhibition
Highlight 1: Manga Artist Fumiyo Kono's Largest Exhibition to Date
While there have been numerous original art exhibitions for her hit works 'Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms' and 'In This Corner of the World', this is the first large-scale retrospective exhibition covering her entire career from debut to the present. With over 500 original manga drawings, a vast collection of original illustrations, picture book originals, storyboards and notes, sketchbooks appearing in her blog 'Kono's Days', and never-before-seen footage documenting her creative process, this exhibition offers a complete overview of Fumiyo Kono's artistic endeavors.
Highlight 2: Precious Pre-Debut Original Drawings
Original manuscripts from before her debut, as well as original manga drawings created during her high school years, will be exhibited. Even then, Fumiyo Kono's unique touch already invited readers into a warm and enjoyable world of manga.
Highlight 3: Manga Original Drawings as 'Single Paintings'
From her early days, Fumiyo Kono has never employed assistants, drawing all her manuscripts by herself. She also does all the coloring herself. Furthermore, with a few exceptions, she rarely uses screen tones. What we see in her original drawings are lines drawn by Kono's own hand. As 'single paintings', you will be able to feel the vibrant charm of her lines and the power of her fresh colors.
Highlight 4: 'Readable' Exhibition
For serialized works, original drawings will generally be displayed in single-chapter units, and for short stories, all pages will be shown. This allows visitors to experience the 'manga artist's feelings' during the creation process without segmenting Kono's structured stories. The color original drawings for the covers of each collected volume are also a must-see.
Highlight 5: Newly Drawn Work Exclusive to This Museum
An original 'afterword' created specifically for the Himeji venue will be displayed at the end of the exhibition space.
Events
Kono-san will do a live painting!
She will perform a live creation of 'Imel Fuuri', a large-scale work depicting a phoenix that she has been drawing at various exhibition venues.
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026, from around 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
(She might start a little earlier or later, and may take breaks.)
Venue: Himeji Literary Museum, Bokeitei Japanese-style room (no chairs)
Participation: Free viewing at any time (no reservation required, free)
Lecture: "The World of 'Kojiki' Interpreted through 'Ballpoint Pen Kojiki'" [Himeji Literary Museum Friends Association Sponsored Project]
An introduction to the world of 'Kojiki' as depicted by Fumiyo Kono.
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM (Doors open at 1:00 PM)
Lecturer: Rie Kaneoka (Professor, Graduate School of Humanities, Chiba University)
Venue: Himeji Literary Museum Auditorium (North Building 3F)
Capacity: 100 people (first-come, first-served on the day, no reservation required)
Participation Fee: 500 yen (Free for Himeji Literary Museum Friends Association members and those under 18)
'Hyakuichi' One-Day Event
This is the first attempt to display all original drawings of Fumiyo Kono's Hyakunin Isshu one-panel manga 'Hyakuichi' for one day only!
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Venue: Himeji Literary Museum, Bokeitei
Participation: Free viewing at any time (no reservation required, free)
Film Screening: 'Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms'
Screening of the film 'Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms' based on Fumiyo Kono's original work (Director: Kiyoshi Sasabe, Starring: Rena Tanaka, Kumiko Aso, produced in 2007, 118 minutes).
Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026
10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
(Doors open 30 minutes before start time, same screening content)
Venue: Himeji Literary Museum Auditorium (North Building 3F)
Capacity: 100 people per session (first-come, first-served on the day, no reservation required)
Participation: An admission ticket (used stub or digital ticket acceptable) is required. Free for those under 18.
Lecture: "Touching the Heart of 'Prajnaparamita Sutra', the Setting of 'Sora-iro Shingyo'"
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM (Doors open at 1:00 PM)
Lecturer: Gensho Oki (141st Chief Priest of Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple)
Venue: Himeji Literary Museum Auditorium (North Building 3F)
Capacity: 100 people (first-come, first-served on the day, no reservation required)
Participation: An admission ticket (used stub or digital ticket acceptable) is required. Free for those under 18.
Kono-san will chat!
(Look forward to what she'll talk about!)
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM (Doors open at 1:00 PM)
Speakers: Fumiyo Kono, Shin Fukunaga (Exhibition Supervisor/Novelist)
Venue: Himeji Literary Museum Auditorium (North Building 3F)
Capacity: 100 people (first-come, first-served on the day, no reservation required)
Participation: An admission ticket (used stub or digital ticket acceptable) is required. Free for those under 18.
Collaboration Menu
A set of pancakes and Wiener coffee inspired by 'Ballpoint Pen Kojiki'.
Enjoy with a pick featuring an illustration of either Amaterasu Omikami, Okuninushi no Kami, or Ame-no-Uzume no Mikoto.
Collaboration menu: Pancakes and Wiener coffee set
Himeji Literary Museum Official Website
Exhibition Period
First Period: Saturday, April 18, 2026, to Sunday, May 10, 2026
Second Period: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, to Sunday, June 21, 2026
On Tuesday, May 12, only the permanent exhibition will be open due to exhibition changeover.
Closed: Mondays, and Thursday, May 7. However, Monday, May 4 (public holiday) will be open.
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Last admission at 4:30 PM)
Venue
Himeji Literary Museum
Admission Fee
General: 1,100 yen
20% discount for those who bring a used admission ticket or digital ticket from the first period to the second period.
Admission is free for those under 18 (including those who will turn 18 by the first March 31 after their birthday).
Half price for holders of a physical disability certificate, rehabilitation certificate, or mental disability welfare certificate (please present your certificate or Mirairo ID app screen) and one caregiver.
20% discount for groups of 30 or more.
Permanent exhibition also viewable.
No advance tickets available.
Organizer
Himeji Literary Museum
Supervision
Shin Fukunaga
Cooperation
Kure City Museum of Art, Coamix, Asahi Shimbun Publications, Nihon Bungeisha, Heibonsha
Planning
Seigensha Promotion
Sponsorship
Asahi Shimbun Himeji Branch, Kobe Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun Kobe General Bureau, Sun Television, Harima Jiho-sha, Harima Living Shimbun-sha, Himeji Cable Television, Himeji City FM21, Mainichi Shimbun Himeji Branch, Yomiuri Shimbun Himeji Branch, Radio Kansai
Highlights of the Exhibition
Highlight 1: Manga Artist Fumiyo Kono's Largest Exhibition to Date
While there have been numerous original art exhibitions for her hit works 'Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms' and 'In This Corner of the World', this is the first large-scale retrospective exhibition covering her entire career from debut to the present. With over 500 original manga drawings, a vast collection of original illustrations, picture book originals, storyboards and notes, sketchbooks appearing in her blog 'Kono's Days', and never-before-seen footage documenting her creative process, this exhibition offers a complete overview of Fumiyo Kono's artistic endeavors.
Highlight 2: Precious Pre-Debut Original Drawings
Original manuscripts from before her debut, as well as original manga drawings created during her high school years, will be exhibited. Even then, Fumiyo Kono's unique touch already invited readers into a warm and enjoyable world of manga.
Highlight 3: Manga Original Drawings as 'Single Paintings'
From her early days, Fumiyo Kono has never employed assistants, drawing all her manuscripts by herself. She also does all the coloring herself. Furthermore, with a few exceptions, she rarely uses screen tones. What we see in her original drawings are lines drawn by Kono's own hand. As 'single paintings', you will be able to feel the vibrant charm of her lines and the power of her fresh colors.
Highlight 4: 'Readable' Exhibition
For serialized works, original drawings will generally be displayed in single-chapter units, and for short stories, all pages will be shown. This allows visitors to experience the 'manga artist's feelings' during the creation process without segmenting Kono's structured stories. The color original drawings for the covers of each collected volume are also a must-see.
Highlight 5: Newly Drawn Work Exclusive to This Museum
An original 'afterword' created specifically for the Himeji venue will be displayed at the end of the exhibition space.
Events
Kono-san will do a live painting!
She will perform a live creation of 'Imel Fuuri', a large-scale work depicting a phoenix that she has been drawing at various exhibition venues.
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026, from around 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
(She might start a little earlier or later, and may take breaks.)
Venue: Himeji Literary Museum, Bokeitei Japanese-style room (no chairs)
Participation: Free viewing at any time (no reservation required, free)
Lecture: "The World of 'Kojiki' Interpreted through 'Ballpoint Pen Kojiki'" [Himeji Literary Museum Friends Association Sponsored Project]
An introduction to the world of 'Kojiki' as depicted by Fumiyo Kono.
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM (Doors open at 1:00 PM)
Lecturer: Rie Kaneoka (Professor, Graduate School of Humanities, Chiba University)
Venue: Himeji Literary Museum Auditorium (North Building 3F)
Capacity: 100 people (first-come, first-served on the day, no reservation required)
Participation Fee: 500 yen (Free for Himeji Literary Museum Friends Association members and those under 18)
'Hyakuichi' One-Day Event
This is the first attempt to display all original drawings of Fumiyo Kono's Hyakunin Isshu one-panel manga 'Hyakuichi' for one day only!
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Venue: Himeji Literary Museum, Bokeitei
Participation: Free viewing at any time (no reservation required, free)
Film Screening: 'Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms'
Screening of the film 'Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms' based on Fumiyo Kono's original work (Director: Kiyoshi Sasabe, Starring: Rena Tanaka, Kumiko Aso, produced in 2007, 118 minutes).
Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026
10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
(Doors open 30 minutes before start time, same screening content)
Venue: Himeji Literary Museum Auditorium (North Building 3F)
Capacity: 100 people per session (first-come, first-served on the day, no reservation required)
Participation: An admission ticket (used stub or digital ticket acceptable) is required. Free for those under 18.
Lecture: "Touching the Heart of 'Prajnaparamita Sutra', the Setting of 'Sora-iro Shingyo'"
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM (Doors open at 1:00 PM)
Lecturer: Gensho Oki (141st Chief Priest of Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple)
Venue: Himeji Literary Museum Auditorium (North Building 3F)
Capacity: 100 people (first-come, first-served on the day, no reservation required)
Participation: An admission ticket (used stub or digital ticket acceptable) is required. Free for those under 18.
Kono-san will chat!
(Look forward to what she'll talk about!)
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM (Doors open at 1:00 PM)
Speakers: Fumiyo Kono, Shin Fukunaga (Exhibition Supervisor/Novelist)
Venue: Himeji Literary Museum Auditorium (North Building 3F)
Capacity: 100 people (first-come, first-served on the day, no reservation required)
Participation: An admission ticket (used stub or digital ticket acceptable) is required. Free for those under 18.
Collaboration Menu
A set of pancakes and Wiener coffee inspired by 'Ballpoint Pen Kojiki'.
Enjoy with a pick featuring an illustration of either Amaterasu Omikami, Okuninushi no Kami, or Ame-no-Uzume no Mikoto.
Collaboration menu: Pancakes and Wiener coffee set
Himeji Literary Museum Official Website