The "Rinpa 400th Anniversary Festival: Art Aquarium Castle - Kyoto, Goldfish Dance" will be held at Nijo Castle, a former imperial villa in Kyoto, from October 23rd to December 14th.

"Art Aquarium Castle" is the only outdoor exhibition of the Art Aquarium exhibition, which has attracted over 5.5 million visitors nationwide. Last year, its inaugural event attracted approximately 300,000 visitors over 52 days. Produced by Art Aquarium artist Hidetomo Kimura, the event will be held in a private area of Nijo Castle, a castle with a history of over 400 years, during the evening hours when admission is normally restricted to the public.

The exhibition, which includes an exhibition of artworks, special lectures, and a night festival, will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Rinpa school with the theme "Reviving and Promoting REAL JAPAN" and promote "Art Aquarium-Style Rinpa," an evolved form of the Rinpa school.


In the Ninomaru Palace courtyard, works that reflect the history of Nijo Castle, a former imperial villa, will be exhibited. Five major works in the Rinpa school, including "Rinpa-rium," which uses world-first interactive art technology and incorporates Rinpa techniques such as tarashikomi and continuity, will be gathered in one venue for the first time in history. Additionally, a special performance of "The Kingyo Dance" will be presented on the specially constructed "Water Play Stage" in the Ninomaru Palace courtyard. Kimura Hidetomo produced everything from lighting to music to kimono, and the dance will be performed by star performer Araki Rantaro. From October 23rd to 29th and November 12th to December 14th, "The Dance of the 24 Solar Terms and 72 Seasons" will be performed every night at 6:10 PM, 7:10 PM, and 8:10 PM. The "Oiran Dance" will begin at 9:10 PM. Geisha Yoshitomo will perform Kyoto dance from October 30th to November 11th. Performances will be held three times a night at 7:10 PM, 8:10 PM, and 9:10 PM.

Also, in the kitchen, approximately 30 kimonos made using techniques faithfully handed down in Kyoto since ancient times will be on display. The kimonos, featuring goldfish woven into designs evoking the various seasons of the 24 solar terms, are displayed in a fantastical space, as if goldfish gracefully swim through Japan's four seasons. Additionally, the giant goldfish bowl series "Ooku" will be exhibited for the first time in Kyoto in the Shiroshoin, the equivalent of the Ooku in Edo Castle.

In addition, in the kitchen's front garden, a "Night Festival Utage" event will be held, allowing you to experience a Kyoto night. The "Night Festival Bar" will offer local sake from Kyoto breweries Saito Sake Brewery, Sasaki Sake Brewery, Tanzan Sake Brewery, and Masuda Tokubei Shoten. "Sake Brewery Night" will be held, where you can enjoy sake from a different brewery each night. Other items on offer include seasonal pickles from Kyoto pickles brand "Daian," fresh sweets from the long-established tea brand "Oimatsu," dried sweets from "Kamesuehiro," and "Kinun," a gold-flecked Uji matcha tea from Fukujuen.

[Event Information]
"Rinpa 400th Anniversary Festival Art Aquarium Castle ~Kyoto Goldfish Dance~"
Dates: October 23rd to December 14th
Venue: Former Imperial Palace Nijo Castle (Ninomaru Palace courtyard, kitchen front garden, kitchen)
Address: 541 Nijojo-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Hours: 17:00-22:00 (last entrance 21:30) *General admission begins at 19:00 on the first day
Admission: Adults (middle school students and above): 1,600 yen, children (elementary school students and below): 1,000 yen, children 3 and under: free