Meguro Gajoen (Meguro, Tokyo) is hosting the "Japanese Lights x Hyakudan Staircase" exhibition, showcasing a variety of traditional Japanese lighting, at the Hyakudan Staircase, a Tokyo Metropolitan designated tangible cultural property within the garden, through August 9th.

The exhibition conveys the charm of gentle lighting, such as washi paper lights, that Japanese people have long loved. The Hyakudan Staircase has seven rooms, with 126 Japanese paintings on the walls and ceilings. Each room is adorned with a variety of traditional Japanese lighting, such as "Lights from Festivals Across Japan," "Summer Lights," and "Lights Illuminated by Plants and Trees."

The highlight is the "Nebuta" lights from the Aomori Nebuta Festival. Four members of Nebuta-ya, a group of young Nebuta artists, took on the challenge of displaying a giant Nebuta on the Hyakudan Staircase, a cultural property that cannot even be nailed. This collaborative work, a first in Nebuta history, features four artists from different schools, and is based on the motif of "Oeyama Shuten-doji." It features a demon, a princess, and two samurai. The samurai second from the left, facing the work from the front, and the sake cup in front of him were specially created for this exhibition. The rest are from last year's Nebuta Festival. This allows you to fully appreciate the nebuta, which are rarely seen up close at festivals. The park also offers special menus, including cocktails inspired by Katsushika Hokusai's masterpiece "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji," which is also on display at the exhibition. Plans are also available that include an exhibition invitation, a complimentary yukata set, dressing, and lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant. After closing, acoustic live performances by artists such as cellist Toshiyuki Muranaka and shakuhachi player Hideki Ishigaki will be held at the Hyakudan Kaidan Staircase.
【Event Information】
"Japanese Lights x Hundred-Step Staircase" Exhibition ~Japanese Festivals, 12 Lights~
Dates: July 3rd - August 9th
Venue: Meguro Gajoen
Address: 1-8-1 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Sunday - Thursday 10:00 - 18:00 (last entry 17:30)
Friday and Saturday 10:00 - 19:00 (last entry 18:30)
Price: Same-day tickets 1,200 yen, students 600 yen
Closed: None