Sumikko Gurashi Appointed Official Support Character! Boston Museum of Fine Arts Co-organized Special Exhibition "Nanto Buddhist Paintings: The Revival of Nara's Tempyo Beauty" Announces Collaboration Goods

San-X Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) is pleased to announce that "Sumikko Gurashi" has been appointed as the official support character for the special exhibition "Nanto Buddhist Paintings: The Revival of Nara's Tempyo Beauty," co-organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and Nara National Museum, to be held from July 18 (Sat), 2026, to September 13 (Sun), 2026, at the Nara National Museum.

To commemorate this appointment, the company has also announced the release of collaboration goods. Exclusive merchandise featuring a luxurious collaboration between Sumikko Gurashi and masterpieces from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston—"Shaka Preaching at Mount Gridhakuta (Hokkedō Honpon Mandala)" and "The Four Heavenly Kings"—will be sold at the exhibition venue.

The Origin and Pinnacle of Japanese Buddhist Art

"Nanto Buddhist Paintings," born in Nara—The First Major Exhibition in History

This exhibition is an international collaborative project realized after approximately 20 years of planning between the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Nara National Museum. For the first time, prized Buddhist paintings associated with Nanto from the Boston museum’s collection will return to Japan, joining carefully selected Buddhist paintings and statues from Japanese institutions, including the Nara National Museum, to trace the history of "Nanto Buddhist Paintings." A major highlight is the revival of the colors of the Horyu-ji Kondo mural paintings, which were damaged in a fire in 1949 (Showa 24). Using color data recorded on original photographic glass plates, the latest digital technology has restored the colors, and high-resolution color images will be unveiled for the first time inside the exhibition hall.

We invite you to fully experience the unique charm of "Nanto Buddhist Paintings," available only at this exhibition.

Special Exhibition Co-organized with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
"Nanto Buddhist Paintings: The Revival of Nara's Tempyo Beauty"

【Dates】July 18 (Sat), 2026 – September 13 (Sun), 2026

【Venue】Nara National Museum, East and West New Wing

▼Official Website

https://nantobutsuga2026.exhibit.jp/

～Collaboration Goods～

Exclusive goods featuring a luxurious collaboration between Sumikko Gurashi and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston’s masterpieces "Shaka Preaching at Mount Gridhakuta" and "The Four Heavenly Kings" will be sold at the venue.

・Shirokuma: Inspired by Bishamonten (Vaiśravaṇa)

・Penguin?: Inspired by Kōmokuten (Virūpākṣa)

・Tonkatsu: Inspired by Jikokuten (Dhṛtarāṣṭra)

・Neko: Inspired by Zōchōten (Virūḍhaka)

・Tokage: Inspired by "Shaka Preaching at Mount Gridhakuta"

※Images are for illustrative purposes only and may differ from the actual products.

～Special Tickets Now on Sale～

Special tickets offering all types of Sumikko Gurashi acrylic stands are currently on sale.

While the venue’s special shop sells them individually in blind bags, this special ticket guarantees all varieties in one set at a more affordable price.

"Sumikko Gurashi Acrylic Stand Complete Set Ticket" (Limited to 300 sets)

Price: 6,300 JPY (tax included)

On sale until: July 17 (Fri), 2026

※May sell out before the end date.

▽Ticket Information

https://nantobutsuga2026.exhibit.jp/tickets/

Additionally, a special photo spot featuring Sumikko Gurashi will be available at the venue.

We look forward to welcoming you to the "Nanto Buddhist Paintings" exhibition.

■ About Sumikko Gurashi

Launched in 2012 with the keyword "This corner is where I feel at ease," Sumikko Gurashi features characters and stories that are not just cute but also slightly negative and surreal, appealing to a wide audience. Whether it’s filling the corner seats first on a train or trying to secure a corner seat at a café—Sumikko characters embody sentiments shared by many Japanese people.

▷ Learn more: https://www.san-x.co.jp/sumikko/profile/

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■ About San-X (https://www.san-x.co.jp/company/)

San-X continues to create over 1,000 100% original characters, including Rilakkuma, Sumikko Gurashi, and Tarepanda, delivering their unique charm worldwide through original products, licensing, events, promotions, and media content. These characters are not only cute but also possess a subtle surreal humor and a gentle warmth that resonates deeply with people. San-X characters captivate audiences far beyond mere cuteness.

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