POLA Research Institute of Beauty & Culture 50th Anniversary Exhibition: "Modern Beauty - Modern Makeup Culture"

POLA Museum Annex (Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo) will host the POLA Research Institute of Beauty & Culture 50th Anniversary Exhibition "Modern Beauty: Modern Makeup Culture" from Tuesday, April 28 to Sunday, May 31, 2026.

Since its establishment in 1976, the POLA Research Institute of Beauty & Culture has viewed makeup as "an important culture cultivated through human activities," engaging in the collection, preservation, research, and public dissemination of makeup culture. The history of Japanese makeup culture is broadly divided into five periods: the Primitive Period with strong magical elements, the Continental Influence Period influenced by China, the Traditional Makeup Period where unique Japanese styles were established following the end of envoys to Tang China, the Modern Makeup Period from the Meiji Restoration to pre-war Showa, and the Contemporary Period from the post-war era to the present. Compared to the Traditional Makeup Period which lasted about 900 years from the Heian period, modern and contemporary makeup spans only about 200 years, but the speed of change is remarkable.

This exhibition traces the transitions of modern makeup and aesthetic senses—the origins of our current grooming—to provide an opportunity to think about "beauty" now and in the future. On this occasion of the 50th anniversary of the POLA Research Institute of Beauty & Culture, we hope it serves as a discovery of the social nature of makeup and its rich, deep culture.

∥ Exhibition Overview ∥

Title: POLA Research Institute of Beauty & Culture 50th Anniversary Exhibition "Modern Beauty: Modern Makeup Culture"

Dates: April 28 (Tue) – May 31 (Sun), 2026

　　　　　*Note: Closes at 18:00 on May 13 (Wed) and May 20 (Wed); Opens at 12:00 on May 24 (Sun)

Hours: 11:00 - 19:00 (Last admission 30 minutes before closing)

Organizer: Pola Orbis Holdings Inc.

Support: Chuo City

Venue: POLA Museum Annex (3F Pola Ginza Building, 1-7-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061)

Admission: Free

∥ Related Events ∥

【Hairdressing Demonstration】

A demonstration of the "Nihyakusan-kochi Mage" (203-Hill Bun) using traditional hairdressing techniques by a master hairdresser.

Please join us for this precious opportunity.

Date & Time: May 20 (Wed) 18:30 – 19:30

Capacity: 30 people

Participation Fee: Free

【Gallery Talk】

Curators from the POLA Research Institute of Beauty & Culture will explain the highlights of the exhibition.

Date & Time: ① May 13 (Wed) 18:30–19:00 / ② May 24 (Sun) 11:00–11:30

Capacity: 30 people per session

Participation Fee: Free

*For event details and applications, please check the POLA Museum Annex official website (https://www.po-holdings.co.jp/m-annex/).

*Event applications are scheduled to start on April 1 (Wed) at 11:00 AM.

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POLA Museum Annex and makeup...