"We're All Together," an exhibition celebrating the opening of Totto-chan Square in Azumino Chihiro Park, Matsukawa Village, will be held from July 15 to September 27 at the Azumino Chihiro Art Museum (Nagano), which exhibits works by picture book illustrators from around the world, including Chihiro Iwasaki. This exhibition showcases the full appeal of "Totto-chan at the Window," an autobiographical story written by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, director of the Chihiro Art Museum, focusing on her childhood at Tomoe Gakuen. The exhibition features Chihiro Iwasaki's drawings, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's writings, related materials, and overseas editions of the book. The exhibition explores the origins and history of "Totto-chan at the Window," a story that continues to be read across countries and generations more than 30 years after its publication in book form in 1981, as well as the hope for peace that the work embodies. This exhibition commemorates the opening of Totto-chan Square, a newly developed park in the northern area of Azumino Chihiro Park (operated by Matsukawa Village, Nagano) that offers hands-on learning about food, agriculture, and life. Opening on July 23, Totto-chan Square will feature a recreation of the train classroom at Tomoe Gakuen, where Totto-chan attended, in reference to the beloved story of "Totto-chan at the Window," illustrated by Chihiro Iwasaki. Visitors can enjoy a stroll through the park, tracing back episodes from the story. Also during the same period, the exhibition "BIB 50th Anniversary: Chihiro Art Museum Collection: Artists Who Made Picture Book History" will be held. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of BIB, selected works from the Chihiro Art Museum collection will be on display, including works by internationally renowned BIB award-winning artists.




[Event Information]
Azumino Chihiro Park, Matsukawa Village
Totto-chan Square Opening Commemorative Exhibition "We're All Together."
Venue: Azumino Chihiro Art Museum, Exhibition Rooms 1 and 2
Address: 3358-24 Nishihara, Matsukawa Village, Kitaazumi District, Nagano Prefecture
Dates: July 15th - September 27th
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm (extended hours until 6:00pm from August 6th to 16th)
Admission: 800 yen for adults, free for high school students and younger
Closed: None (open every day during the exhibition period)
"BIB 50th Anniversary Chihiro Art Museum Collection: Artists Who Made Picture Book History"
Venue: Azumino Chihiro Art Museum, Exhibition Rooms 3 and 4
Address: 3358-24 Nishihara, Matsukawa-mura, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano Prefecture
Dates: July 15th - September 27th
Time: 9:00am - 5:00pm (extended hours until 6:00pm from August 6th to 16th)
Admission: 800 yen for adults, free for high school students and younger
Closed: None (open every day during the exhibition period)