Connecting to the Future 1,000 Years Ahead! The Second Installment of the Fusuma-e (Sliding Door Painting) Project: 'Toyokawa New Choju-giga: Scroll Otsu' Begins! Yuki Nishimoto Takes on the Challenge at Toyokawa Inari's Saisho-den!

This project began in April 2025 as a commemorative initiative for the 'Toyokawa Inari Opening of the Sanctuary,' held for the first time in 72 years.

As the second installment, 'Toyokawa New Choju-giga: Scroll Otsu' will begin this year, 2026, at the Saisho-den Hall of Toyokawa Inari (Enpukuzan Myogonji Temple) in Aichi Prefecture.

Ink wash painter Yuki Nishimoto, who has garnered domestic and international attention through appearances on NHK's 'Bi no Tsubo' and being featured in junior high school art textbooks, takes on this project. By fusing modern sensibilities with the traditional Choju-giga (Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans), he weaves a new story set at Toyokawa Inari. Inheriting the spirit of the National Treasure Choju-giga, this is a new step in cultural creation that connects the history and prayers of Toyokawa to the future 1,000 years from now.

*Photographed in November 2025 (Toyokawa New Choju-giga: Scroll Otsu - Winter)

While the 'Scroll Ko' (first scroll) painted last year in 2025 depicted anthropomorphized animals enjoying games, 'Scroll Otsu' is planned to feature realistic white-line (ink line) drawings of real animals and mythical creatures (such as the Qilin, Baku, and Dragon). Mr. Nishimoto states, 'I want to create a work full of dynamism.'

What is the Toyokawa New Choju-giga?

The 'Toyokawa New Choju-giga' is a grand sliding door painting project undertaken by Mr. Yuki Nishimoto that began in 2025.

Just as the National Treasure Choju-giga consists of four scrolls (Ko, Otsu, Hei, and Te), the 'Toyokawa New Choju-giga' is a cultural creation challenge composed of multiple chapters. The second installment, 'Scroll Otsu,' will be produced over one year starting in April 2026 and is scheduled for completion on November 3, 2026 (Tuesday), during the Toyokawa Inari Opening of the Sanctuary period.