◆Kansai University Museum's Spring Special Exhibition Starts April 1st◆ "Entertainment Culture in Edo Period Osaka" Held ~Lecture on the 18th / Looking back at Edo period famous places, theaters, and entertainment districts with paintings and materials~

Kansai University Museum will hold the spring special exhibition "Entertainment Culture in Edo Period Osaka" from Wednesday, April 1, 2026, to Saturday, May 30. This exhibition, which will showcase the research results of a public recruitment research group from the Kansai University Naniwa Osaka Research Center, will introduce the "entertainment" culture that flourished in Osaka during the Edo period, divided into three chapters: Famous Places, Theaters, and Entertainment Districts, using 112 works from Kansai University's collection. A commemorative lecture by three researchers will be held on Saturday, April 18th, from 13:00.

**[Key Points of this Matter]** * Kansai University Museum's spring special exhibition "Entertainment Culture in Edo Period Osaka" starts on April 1st. * Introduces Osaka's entertainment culture that flourished in the Edo period, divided into three chapters: Famous Places, Theaters, and Entertainment Districts. * Many works from Kansai University's collection, including artworks, books, and materials, will be exhibited, many for the first time.

**■ Famous Places** In the merchant culture of Osaka, which developed as a commercial city, many works depicting the scenery of famous places were born. Research on the Osaka art world is progressing centered at our university, but this time, we will tour the famous places of the time with exhibits including woodblock prints and single-sheet prints.

**■ Theaters** "Kabuki," which has regained attention due to the movie "National Treasure," developed as a popular entertainment. Our university possesses many ukiyo-e prints depicting kabuki actors, and "Banzuke" (ranking lists) used for advertising and publicity of performances. The exhibition allows you to feel the excitement of Edo period theater viewing and the passionate "oshi-gassen" (fan battles/support contests) of the time.

**■ Entertainment Districts** Women in the entertainment districts were able to learn dance, shamisen and other musical instruments, Noh, flower arrangement, waka poetry, incense ceremonies, etc., and it became a place where their unique culture developed. "Nerimono," where courtesans and geisha paraded in costume, was a popular entertainment for commoners. Our university has many materials depicting nerimono, and the exhibition offers a glimpse into those scenes.

<strong>< "Entertainment Culture in Edo Period Osaka" Overview ></strong> ➀ Kansai University Museum Spring Special Exhibition [Period] April 1 (Wed) - May 30 (Sat) 10:00 - 16:00 (Last entry 15:30) [Closed] Sundays and public holidays (Open April 5, 29, May 17) [Admission Fee] Free

② Lecture [Date and Time] Saturday, April 18, 13:00 - 16:00 [Venue] Kansai University Museum [Capacity] First 50 people (advance reservation required) [Participation Fee] Free [Moderator] Takashi Yamamoto, Professor, Faculty of Letters, Kansai University [Lecturers] Mr. Keishu Hirai (Chief Researcher, The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto), Mr. Washo Nakao (Associate Professor, Faculty of Letters, Nara University), Ms. Hiroko Kitagawa (Part-time Lecturer, Kansai University)

▼Details of this matter▼ Kansai University Press Release https://www.kansai-u.ac.jp/ja/assets/pdf/about/pr/press_release/2026/No1.pdf

▼For Media Inquiries▼ * If you wish to cover this event, please contact us at the inquiry details below.

▼Inquiries regarding this matter▼ General Planning Office, Public Relations Section Ichiji, Kobayashi Address: 3-3-35 Yamate-cho, Suita City, Osaka Prefecture TEL: 06-6368-1937 FAX: 06-6368-1266 E-mail: kouhou@ml.kandai.jp