[Advance Tickets on Sale April 25] Additional Work Information! Costume Exhibition for TV Drama "Kitakata Kenzo Suikoden" Announced! Kazuya Kamenashi, who plays Lin Chong in the drama, to be Audio Guide Narrator!! Collaboration merchandise with Bad Badtz-Maru also available.
To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Osaka City Museum, the special exhibition "Water Margin" will be held from July 11 to September 6, 2026. Featuring all 74 works by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, as well as Chinese and Japanese art, the exhibition will also include costume displays from the drama "Kitakata Kenzo Suikoden," an audio guide narrated by Kazuya Kamenashi, and collaboration merchandise with Bad Badtz-Maru, offering something for a wide range of visitors.
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Utagawa Kuniyoshi's breakthrough work, the "Tsūzoku Suikoden" series, all 74 illustrations to be publicly exhibited! Visitors can also enjoy Chinese art and a profound world that adorns the stage of "Water Margin."
The Osaka City Museum will host the Osaka City Museum 90th Anniversary Special Exhibition "Water Margin" from Saturday, July 11, to Sunday, September 6, 2026.
"Water Margin," one of the Four Great Classical Novels of China, is a novel based on historical facts from the Northern Song Dynasty, depicting the rebellion of heroes. Set in the 12th century during the reign of Emperor Huizong, it tells the story of 108 heroes led by Song Jiang, who were dissatisfied with the corrupt government and gathered at Liangshanpo.
"Water Margin" became a huge boom in Edo-period Japan, and new stories and artistic expressions were developed by Kyokutei Bakin, Katsushika Hokusai, and Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Even today, it is widely familiar through various media such as novels, manga, movies, dramas, and games.
This exhibition introduces Chinese and Japanese art and materials related to "Water Margin." It also traces how the heroes' lives and values have been depicted and received, exploring why "Water Margin" continues to fascinate people.
▼Exhibition official website here
https://www.yomiuri-osaka.com/lp/suikoden/
[NEW] Highlights
Highlight ① Competition of masterpieces of Chinese and Japanese art!
From the treasures of the Northern Song Dynasty to Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, and Takao Saito of "Golgo 13," a wide range of works related to "Water Margin" will be introduced.
Highlight ② All 74 illustrations from Utagawa Kuniyoshi's breakthrough work, the "Tsūzoku Suikoden" series, publicly exhibited! (Photography allowed)
These dramatic and vivid heroic figures were one of the triggers of the "Water Margin" boom in Japan. These masterpieces are full of Kuniyoshi's unique creativity while incorporating iconography from Chinese "Water Margin."
Highlight ③ Learn about the world where the heroes lived and the people who were enthusiastic about "Water Margin," making you like "Water Margin" even more!
Through art, the exhibition introduces the historical background and world view of "Water Margin." You can encounter further charms of "Water Margin."
[NEW] Exhibition Structure *Items without a specific exhibition period are on display throughout the exhibition.
Chapter 1: Welcome to Liangshanpo
Kuniyoshi's "Tsūzoku Suikoden" series, which vividly depicts the heroes of "Water Margin," symbolizes the "Water Margin" boom in Japan. This exhibition begins by entering the world of the story through these dramatic heroic figures.
Utagawa Kuniyoshi "Ichinin Irunryu Kōsonshō from Tsūzoku Suikoden Gōketsu Hyakuhachinin" Edo period, late Bunsei - early Tenpō (c. 1828-33) Private collection
Utagawa Kuniyoshi "Bōshō from Suikoden Gōketsu Hyakuhachinin" Edo period, c. 1827 Private collection
Heroes adorned with tattoos
Utagawa Kuniyoshi "Kyūmonryū Shishin Chōkanko Chintatsu from Tsūzoku Suikoden Gōketsu Hyakuhachinin" Edo period, c. 1827 Private collection
Utagawa Kuniyoshi "Ichinin Kashōrochishin from Tsūzoku Suikoden Gōketsu Hyakuhachinin" Edo period, c. 1827 Private collection
Utagawa Kuniyoshi "Ichinin Rōribyakuchō Chōjun from Tsūzoku Suikoden Gōketsu Hyakuhachinin" Edo period, late Bunsei - early Tenpō (c. 1828-33) Private collection
Chapter 2: The Era the Heroes Lived In
In the late Northern Song Dynasty, the setting of "Water Margin," urban economy and culture flourished, while disparity and oppression tormented people. This chapter traces the historical background, where prosperity and unrest intersected, through court culture and artifacts.
Spring festivities in Kaifeng, the capital of Northern Song
Important Cultural Property Zhao Zhe "Qingming Shanghe Tu" (part) Ming Dynasty, 5th year of Wanli (1577) Hayashibara Museum of Art, Exhibition period: August 25 - September 6
Yello Tingjian's powerful masterpiece from his later years
Important Cultural Property Huang Tingjian "Fubo Shenci Shijuan" (part) Northern Song Dynasty, 1st year of Jianzhong Jingguo (1101) Eisei Bunko, Exhibition period: August 25 - September 6
Ru Ware, loved by the court, beauty of tranquility
"Celadon Narcissus Basin" Ru Ware Northern Song Dynasty, late 11th - early 12th century The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka (donated by Sumitomo Group / Ataka Collection) Photo: Tomohiro Rokuda
Masterpiece of Northern Song painting depicting stormy mountains and rivers with meticulous brushwork
Yan Wen Gui "Jiangshan Louguan Tu" Northern Song Dynasty, 10th - 11th century Osaka City Museum Collection, Exhibition period: July 11 - August 23
Chapter 3: The Birth and Popularity of the Wuxia Novel "Water Margin"
In the late Northern Song Dynasty, there was a rebellion by a bandit group led by Song Jiang. "Water Margin," which originated in China with this historical fact as its core, materialized as a novel through storytelling and drama, and spread widely through editions and illustrations.
400-year-old Water Margin character card game
Chen Hongshou "Suikyo Yōshi" Late Ming - early Qing Dynasty, 17th century Private collection
Kyosai also copied the vibrant 108 Stars
Kawanabe Kyosai "Seisei Kyosai Shitae-cho" (part) Edo period, 19th century Kawanabe Kyosai Memorial Museum
Illustrated editions published in China
"Zhongyi Suikyo Zen-den" First volume Ming Dynasty, 17th century Institute of Oriental Culture, University of Tokyo
Chapter 4: Expanding Heroic Images
"Water Margin," which traveled from China to Edo-period Japan, caused a huge boom and spread to ukiyo-e, toys, and literature, depicted by Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Kuniyoshi.
The Osaka City Museum will host the Osaka City Museum 90th Anniversary Special Exhibition "Water Margin" from Saturday, July 11, to Sunday, September 6, 2026.
"Water Margin," one of the Four Great Classical Novels of China, is a novel based on historical facts from the Northern Song Dynasty, depicting the rebellion of heroes. Set in the 12th century during the reign of Emperor Huizong, it tells the story of 108 heroes led by Song Jiang, who were dissatisfied with the corrupt government and gathered at Liangshanpo.
"Water Margin" became a huge boom in Edo-period Japan, and new stories and artistic expressions were developed by Kyokutei Bakin, Katsushika Hokusai, and Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Even today, it is widely familiar through various media such as novels, manga, movies, dramas, and games.
This exhibition introduces Chinese and Japanese art and materials related to "Water Margin." It also traces how the heroes' lives and values have been depicted and received, exploring why "Water Margin" continues to fascinate people.
▼Exhibition official website here
https://www.yomiuri-osaka.com/lp/suikoden/
[NEW] Highlights
Highlight ① Competition of masterpieces of Chinese and Japanese art!
From the treasures of the Northern Song Dynasty to Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, and Takao Saito of "Golgo 13," a wide range of works related to "Water Margin" will be introduced.
Highlight ② All 74 illustrations from Utagawa Kuniyoshi's breakthrough work, the "Tsūzoku Suikoden" series, publicly exhibited! (Photography allowed)
These dramatic and vivid heroic figures were one of the triggers of the "Water Margin" boom in Japan. These masterpieces are full of Kuniyoshi's unique creativity while incorporating iconography from Chinese "Water Margin."
Highlight ③ Learn about the world where the heroes lived and the people who were enthusiastic about "Water Margin," making you like "Water Margin" even more!
Through art, the exhibition introduces the historical background and world view of "Water Margin." You can encounter further charms of "Water Margin."
[NEW] Exhibition Structure *Items without a specific exhibition period are on display throughout the exhibition.
Chapter 1: Welcome to Liangshanpo
Kuniyoshi's "Tsūzoku Suikoden" series, which vividly depicts the heroes of "Water Margin," symbolizes the "Water Margin" boom in Japan. This exhibition begins by entering the world of the story through these dramatic heroic figures.
Utagawa Kuniyoshi "Ichinin Irunryu Kōsonshō from Tsūzoku Suikoden Gōketsu Hyakuhachinin" Edo period, late Bunsei - early Tenpō (c. 1828-33) Private collection
Utagawa Kuniyoshi "Bōshō from Suikoden Gōketsu Hyakuhachinin" Edo period, c. 1827 Private collection
Heroes adorned with tattoos
Utagawa Kuniyoshi "Kyūmonryū Shishin Chōkanko Chintatsu from Tsūzoku Suikoden Gōketsu Hyakuhachinin" Edo period, c. 1827 Private collection
Utagawa Kuniyoshi "Ichinin Kashōrochishin from Tsūzoku Suikoden Gōketsu Hyakuhachinin" Edo period, c. 1827 Private collection
Utagawa Kuniyoshi "Ichinin Rōribyakuchō Chōjun from Tsūzoku Suikoden Gōketsu Hyakuhachinin" Edo period, late Bunsei - early Tenpō (c. 1828-33) Private collection
Chapter 2: The Era the Heroes Lived In
In the late Northern Song Dynasty, the setting of "Water Margin," urban economy and culture flourished, while disparity and oppression tormented people. This chapter traces the historical background, where prosperity and unrest intersected, through court culture and artifacts.
Spring festivities in Kaifeng, the capital of Northern Song
Important Cultural Property Zhao Zhe "Qingming Shanghe Tu" (part) Ming Dynasty, 5th year of Wanli (1577) Hayashibara Museum of Art, Exhibition period: August 25 - September 6
Yello Tingjian's powerful masterpiece from his later years
Important Cultural Property Huang Tingjian "Fubo Shenci Shijuan" (part) Northern Song Dynasty, 1st year of Jianzhong Jingguo (1101) Eisei Bunko, Exhibition period: August 25 - September 6
Ru Ware, loved by the court, beauty of tranquility
"Celadon Narcissus Basin" Ru Ware Northern Song Dynasty, late 11th - early 12th century The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka (donated by Sumitomo Group / Ataka Collection) Photo: Tomohiro Rokuda
Masterpiece of Northern Song painting depicting stormy mountains and rivers with meticulous brushwork
Yan Wen Gui "Jiangshan Louguan Tu" Northern Song Dynasty, 10th - 11th century Osaka City Museum Collection, Exhibition period: July 11 - August 23
Chapter 3: The Birth and Popularity of the Wuxia Novel "Water Margin"
In the late Northern Song Dynasty, there was a rebellion by a bandit group led by Song Jiang. "Water Margin," which originated in China with this historical fact as its core, materialized as a novel through storytelling and drama, and spread widely through editions and illustrations.
400-year-old Water Margin character card game
Chen Hongshou "Suikyo Yōshi" Late Ming - early Qing Dynasty, 17th century Private collection
Kyosai also copied the vibrant 108 Stars
Kawanabe Kyosai "Seisei Kyosai Shitae-cho" (part) Edo period, 19th century Kawanabe Kyosai Memorial Museum
Illustrated editions published in China
"Zhongyi Suikyo Zen-den" First volume Ming Dynasty, 17th century Institute of Oriental Culture, University of Tokyo
Chapter 4: Expanding Heroic Images
"Water Margin," which traveled from China to Edo-period Japan, caused a huge boom and spread to ukiyo-e, toys, and literature, depicted by Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa Kuniyoshi.