Between Historical Fact and Fantasy: The Power of Storytelling Pursued by Jiro Osaragi

Toyotomi Hideyori, who is said to have committed suicide at the Siege of Osaka, remains the subject of "survival legends" in various parts of Japan.

Fascinated by this mystery, Jiro Osaragi wrote "Ikiteiru Hideyori" (Hideyori Lives) in 1937.

Twenty-six years later, he published "Tsuki no Hito" (The Man from the Moon, later retitled "Tsuki kara Kita Otoko"), which used the same subject matter but told an entirely different story. Osaragi felt a deep attachment to "Tsuki no Hito," stating that he could not recreate it even if he tried to write it again.

The common thread between these two works is what Osaragi called the "romantic spirit"—the unbridled imagination that weaves worlds of fiction.

This exhibition will focus on these two "Hideyori stories," while also highlighting other Sengoku-period works he produced as novels and Kabuki plays. It explores what Osaragi considered the true romanticism suitable for popular literature, a question he pursued until his later years. By showcasing materials, letters, and research records he referenced, the exhibition will reveal the behind-the-scenes of his creative process and delve into the appeal of Osaragi's Sengoku-themed works.

Dynamic illustrations by artists Tetsu Katsuta and Yoshiro Sata to be showcased via digital signage

"Ikiteiru Hideyori," illustrated by Tetsu Katsuta (1896-1980), was serialized in 22 installments.

"Tsuki no Hito," illustrated by Yoshiro Sata (1922-1997), was a 300-part serial.