Exhibition IV 'Drinking - Tea Ware, Sake Ware, and Smoking Implements' to be Held in 2026

Itsuo Art Museum, operated by Hankyu Cultural Foundation, is named after the pen name 'Itsuo' of Ichizo Kobayashi (1873-1957), the founder of the current Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group. The museum opened in 1957 (moved to the current location in 2009) and hosts several annual exhibitions based on the 5,500 pieces of art and crafts and approximately 22,000 kabuki-related materials collected by Itsuo.

Water is an indispensable part of human life. In light of recent global warming, the importance of hydration is emphasized, and there is not a single person who does not drink water or tea in a day. Additionally, alcoholic beverages, which have been produced since ancient times as a drink and a source of enjoyment for people, continue to be cherished to this day, from those who enjoy them in moderation to connoisseurs. Just like alcohol, tobacco, known as a luxury item since ancient times, has become known as smoking implements, depicted in paintings and other art forms.

This exhibition will feature tea bowls and cups for 'drinking,' flasks and cups for 'imbibing' sake, and implements for 'smoking' tobacco, along with related utensils, focusing on works related to the three acts of 'drinking (drink, imbibe, smoke).'

In addition, related events will be held, including a lecture by Masashi Moriya, former director of Osaka City Museum of Oriental Ceramics, and a gallery talk by the curator. Tea will also be served in the chair-style tea room 'Sokushinan' located inside the museum.

Furthermore, in conjunction with the theme of 'imbibing,' events will also be held in collaboration with 'Sake Museum (Shirakaba Memorial Sake Brewery Museum)' and 'Ishida City Museum.'

Details are as follows. Please visit us.

【Exhibition Period】September 19 (Sat) to November 23 (Mon, Holiday), 2026

【Closed】
Every Monday
However, open on 9/21, 10/12, 11/2, 11/23
Closed on 9/24 (Thu), 10/13 (Tue), 11/4 (Wed)

【Opening Hours】
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
(Admission until 4:30 PM)

【Venue】
Itsuo Art Museum, 12-27 Saikacho, Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture
(10-minute walk from Ikeda Station on the Hankyu Takarazuka Line)

【Admission Fees】
General: 700 yen (Discounts and Groups: 500 yen)
Students (High School and above): 500 yen (Same: 400 yen)
Junior High School and below: Free

【Main Exhibits】
■Lecture
'Ceramics for Drinking, Imbibing, and Smoking - Focused on Japan'
【Lecturer】Masashi Moriya (Former Director of Osaka City Museum of Oriental Ceramics)
【Date】October 24 (Sat) 2:00 PM~
【Venue】Magnolia Hall, Itsuo Art Museum
【Capacity】100 people (First-come, first-served, priority for Hankyu Cultural Foundation Friends)
【Fee】Free * Admission ticket for the exhibition on the day is required
【Application Method】
Please apply through the web form on the exhibition introduction page of the Hankyu Cultural Foundation website.
After reaching full capacity, if there are any cancellations, applications will be accepted again.
https://www.hankyu-bunka.or.jp/itsuo-museum/exhibition/20260919/
■Gallery Talk
The curator will explain the works while viewing them together with the participants in the exhibition room.
【Explain】Risa Takeda (Senior Curator, Hankyu Cultural Foundation)
【Date】October 17 (Sat) 2:00 PM~
【Fee】Free * Admission ticket for the exhibition on the day is required
【Application Method】No application needed, please gather at the entrance of the exhibition room at the specified date and time.
■Tea Room 'Sokushinan' and Tea Service
The tea room 'Sokuan,' designed by Ichizo Kobayashi himself, has been recreated as 'Sokushinan' inside Itsuo Art Museum.
It is a space where you can enjoy tea casually with chairs surrounding a three-tatami-mat room, harmoniously blending tradition and modern life.
On Sundays during the exhibition, tea service will be held with thin tea and Japanese sweets prepared by the Osaka branch of the Omotesenke Tea Ceremony Association. Please enjoy a pleasant time with matcha from Mikiya and sweets from Fukujudo.
【Service Days】
Sundays during the exhibition period
September 20, 27 / October 4, 11, 18, 25 / November 1, 8, 15, 22
【Start Time】(1) 10:50, (2) 11:30, (3) 12:10, (4) 13:10, (5) 13:50, (6) 14:30
【Capacity】(1)-(6) 10 people per session
【Fee】500 yen per serving (tax included)
【Purchase Method】
Tickets for each session (1)-(6) will be sold at the museum reception starting at 10:00 AM on the day.
*Please note that reservations by phone are not accepted.
■Three-Museum Collaboration Project
The city of Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture, where 'Sake Museum (Shirakaba Memorial Sake Brewery Museum)' is located, the city of Itami, Hyogo Prefecture, where 'Ishida City Museum' is located, and the city of Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture, where Itsuo Art Museum is located, are all known as cities where sake brewing flourished during the Edo period and where the arts and culture blossomed.
'Sake Museum' is a museum that preserves disappearing sake brewing tools and historical documents, utilizing sake breweries that shape the landscape of the sake town, while 'Ishida City Museum' is a facility loved for its museum functions, including the valuable remains of the former Okada Residence and Sake Brewery, which convey Itami's sake brewing to the present day.
Therefore, in conjunction with one of the themes of this exhibition, 'imbibing,' the three museums will collaborate to hold events related to the following exhibitions held at the same time. Please participate.
○Sake Museum (Shirakaba Memorial Sake Brewery Museum) https://sake-museum.jp/
'Gourmet Edo Period'
Exhibition Period: September 12 (Sat) to November 23 (Mon, Holiday), 2026
Closed: Tuesdays (Open on holidays, closed the next business day), October 19 (Mon)
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Admission until 4:30 PM)
Location: 8-21 Kurumakacho, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture
○Ishida City Museum https://itami-im.jp/
'Drowning in Sake'
Exhibition Period: October 16 (Fri) to December 13 (Sun), 2026
Closed: Mondays (Open on holidays, closed the next business day)
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Admission until 5:30 PM)
Location: 2-5-20 Miyanomae, Itami City, Hyogo Prefecture
○Itsuo Art Museum
'Drinking - Tea Ware, Sake Ware, and Smoking Implements'
[Collaborative Event 1] Stamp Rally
Event Content: Those who collect stamps from the three museums on the stamp rally sheet distributed at the above exhibitions will be presented with a set of commemorative items from the three museums. (First-come, first-served, 150 people, ends when sold out)
[Collaborative Event 2] Museum Talk
Event Content: The curators from the three museums will participate together in the museum talks (gallery talks) held at each of the above exhibitions.
Implementation Date and Time:
Itsuo Art Museum (above) October 17 (Sat) 2:00 PM~
Ishida City Museum October 25 (Sun) 2:00 PM~
Sake Museum November 1 (Sun) 2:00 PM~
Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Hankyu Cultural Foundation https://www.hankyu-bunka.or.jp/
Release https://www.hankyu-hanshin.co.jp/release/2026/06/658b2dd064cf95c