Shirofumi Takehara, a Nihonga (Japanese-style painting) artist and member of the Soga-kai, was deeply moved by his encounter with the Loess Plateau in China during his time as a fellow of the Program of Overseas Study for Upcoming Artists by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. This experience became the foundation of his artistic career. He went on to produce a series of acclaimed works depicting scenes from China, earning the Aichi Prefecture Cultural Award for the Arts in 2002.
This exhibition honors his artistic achievements by presenting over 20 large-scale works filled with profound humanity.

A Japanese-style painter, Reiichi Tsuchiya; a photographer, Yoshino Oishi; and a Western-style painter, Kazuhiro Kuno—three artists who gathered under Kato Toichi.
This exhibition celebrates their achievements and traces their artistic journeys, bound together by their shared connection through art.

This exhibition presents works depicting cormorant fishing on the Nagara River by Kato Eizo and Toichi, together with their drawings.

This exhibition presents both recent and earlier manga and illustration works by Nao Hirone and Yuko Umeda, who published their works in the shojo manga (comics for girls) magazines Nakayoshi and Ribon.

This exhibition presents recent works by Tatsuya Miyakawa, a sculptor based in Gifu City.

Established to recognize and support emerging artists active in the arts, the Gifu City Arts and Culture Encouragement Award marks its 30th anniversary with this exhibition. It features a selection of artists chosen from past recipients, along with those awarded within the past five years.

A research exhibition by the study groups “Arikame” and “Hattobi 2,” led by Hoji Ito, a member of the Japan Art Academy and the Nihon Bijutsuin.
Alongside Hoji Ito’s large-scale works, the exhibition presents new works by members of the two study groups.

This exhibition introduces Seiichi Kasai, a Western-style painter and Professor Emeritus at Aichi University of the Arts, along with three artists who studied under him: Mikiji Sobajima, Yoshihisa Taguchi, and Kazumi Akatsuka.

This exhibition presents works from the museum’s collection, with a focus on pieces that have rarely been shown to the public.

This exhibition presents the artistic journey of Toshihiro Kuno, a sculptor known for creating immersive spaces through installations using everyday materials.
The featured work is a reimagined version of the piece originally exhibited in the 1998 São Paulo Biennale (National Representations section). It has been adapted to the architectural space of the Kato Eizo & Toichi Memorial Art Museum, designed by architect Junzo Yoshimura. Experience the unique spatial dialogue born from the collaboration between Junzo Yoshimura and Toshihiro Kuno.

After graduating from the Japanese-style painting department of the Tokyo Fine Arts School (now Tokyo University of the Arts), Kato Eizo & Toichi chose to base themselves in the Kanto region rather than return to their hometown of Gifu. They made their mark on the art world through the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (Nitten). Despite living away, their deep affection for Gifu remained unchanged. They frequently returned home and created numerous works portraying the region’s iconic scenes—such as cormorant fishing on the Nagara River, Mt. Kinka, and the Takayama Festival. This exhibition features selected works from our museum's collection, including paintings, sketches, and drawings, all centered on their depictions of Gifu.

A showcase of the artistic journey of Yukiko Watanabe, a Western-style painter based in Gifu City, who is active primarily with the Women’s Fine Art Association.

A collaborative exhibition by Osamu Shinkai, a Western-style painter residing in Gifu Prefecture, and Noriko Murakami, an artist known for creating installation spaces themed around Japanese paper (washi).

An exhibition presenting the diverse works of three artists: Shinsuke Yamamoto, a sculptor and member of the Japan Art Academy as well as an advisor to the Nitten exhibition; his wife, Sumie Yamamoto, a Western-style painter who supports his creative endeavors; and their daughter, Maki Yamamoto, a Nihonga (Japanese-style painting) artist who draws inspiration from their dedicated approach to art.

While our museum has introduced many masterpieces by Eizo and Toichi through five themed exhibitions each year, there are also works in the collection that do not align with these themes and have rarely been on public display.
This exhibition presents such lesser-known pieces by Eizo and Toichi, alongside works by other artists who were active during the same period.

An exhibition celebrating the 55th anniversary of 《THE KOTEN》, a series known for showcasing the individual and free-spirited solo exhibitions of various artists, all presented simultaneously in the same space.

An exhibition featuring over 15 new and old oil paintings by Shotaro Yabashi, a Western-style painter based in Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture.

This exhibition features a selection of artworks, primarily paintings, from the collection of the Gifu City Museum of History.

A showcase of the artistic journey of Masayuki Kawashima, a Nihonga (Japanese-style painting) artist based in Gifu City.

An exhibition commemorating the 55th anniversary of “Houdo,” an artist group formed in 1969 by nine artists actively working in the fields of Western-style painting, sculpture, and other fine arts.

Shirofumi Takehara, a Nihonga (Japanese-style painting) artist and member of the Soga-kai, was deeply moved by his encounter with the Loess Plateau in China during his time as a fellow of the Program of Overseas Study for Upcoming Artists by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. This experience became the foundation of his artistic career. He went on to produce a series of acclaimed works depicting scenes from China, earning the Aichi Prefecture Cultural Award for the Arts in 2002.
This exhibition honors his artistic achievements by presenting over 20 large-scale works filled with profound humanity.

At this exhibition, a total of 23 items, including sketches and drawings of Eizo’s “Raijin” and Toichi’s “Fujin” (restored with a grant from the Gifushin Memorial Foundation), will be unveiled for the first time, along with their original paintings showcased exclusively. It has been 28 years since two masterpieces were exhibited together in Gifu Prefecture. Eizo’s “Raijin” was born from his exploration of classics, and Toichi’s “Fujin” was born from brotherly love, both of which evoke a strong bond between the two. Additionally, works by Reiichi Tsuchiya, a Japanese-style painter who studied under Toichi, including “Shutsugen (Raijin)” and “Aozora-sawagu (Fujin),” will also be exhibited.

The exhibition showcases the footsteps of Nobuko Ono, an artist born in Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture, who passed away in February, 2024. While feeling frustration towards contradictions in the world, she continuously transformed it into inner strength, persevering in artistic creations. Please take a moment to feel the emotions conveyed in her final works.

This is a planned exhibition commemorating the seventieth anniversary of calligrapher Shusen Ando, who was born in Gifu City. In this exhibition, we will display around 30 large calligraphic works from the Chinese character division, selected from over 1,000 pieces of his artwork, as a tribute to his artistic journey.

Last year, the Gifu City Museum of History received a grant from the Gifushin Memorial Foundation to complete the restoration and mounting of previously unpublished drawings and sketches by Eizo and Toichi Kato. These works will be exhibited for the first time, and the exhibition will introduce sketch masterpieces and paintings by the two masters.

This exhibit will introduce selected artists from Gifu who have won prizes in the “IAG AWARDS” public exhibition which has started as a part of the Ikebukuro Art Galleries, as well as the best selected artists from the “IAG AWARDS” public exhibition.

This exhibition commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Gifu Figurative Faction’s founding, established in 1953 as the Figurative Art Association. The works by eight of its members will be introduced.

Among the many works by Eizo and Toichi Kato, those depicting cormorants are one of the most popular. The works depicting the sadness that comes once the splendid cormorant fishing has finished and the bonfires go out have fascinated many people. We hope you will rediscover the beauty of cormorants through the works of Eizo and Toichi.

This exhibition introduces Gifu-related scenery and customs drawn by members of the Gifu New Culture Party, a group of nine illustrators participating in the industry-academia booth project at Gifu Municipal Sojun Junior High School.

This exhibition introduces the painting practice of Keiko Aoyama, a miniature painting artist living in Gujo City who is highly acclaimed abroad, including Italy and China, and has received numerous awards, including the Montreal World Art Prize.

Although the mineral pigments used in Japanese painting have been devised so that they can be applied to a variety of base materials, it is difficult to erase a line once it has been drawn, resulting in the making of many sketches. These sketches produced during the conceptual process are rarely published. Some of the sketches are said to be even better than the original paintings. This exhibition will show Eizo and Toichi’s original paintings and sketches simultaneously.

This exhibition showcases research and presentations by the research group “Hattobi” lead by Professor Hoji Ito, a member of the Japan Art Academy. It will introduce a series of ambitious works by the new Hattobi members.

The exhibition features recent works by Mihoka Kataoka, a Western-style painter from Yamagata City, Gifu Prefecture.

In order to contribute to the continuation and new development of Japanese paintings, painting schools have accepted new painting methods while passing on traditional painting techniques, approaches to production, and behaviors from master to apprentice. Many artists have admired Eizo and Toichi and have studied under them. This exhibition features works by both Eizo and Toichi, as well as works by Eizo and Toichi-inspired artists.

This exhibition commemorates the 80th anniversary of Tatsuhiko Okumura, a Western-style painter active mainly in the Independent Art Association. The exhibition honors Okumura’s painting career, who lived in Gifu City and also devoted himself to the promotion of Gifu’s art and culture.

This exhibit introduces 25 artists who graduated from Joshibi University of Art and Design and are based in Gifu.

Drawings and sketches of the famous paintings that showcase the bond of brothers, Eizo & Toichi, were discovered during the organization and arrangement of documents. Last year, through receiving a subsidy from the Gifushin Memorial Foundation Grant Project, such precious drawings and sketches were restored.
This exhibition is displaying these works to the public for the first time ever.

This exhibition introduces recent works by Seiko Harima―a Western-style painter who has been working as a full-time artist after finishing a post-graduate program at the UK’s University of Brighton.

Among the many works by Eizo & Toichi, those showcasing cormorant fishing are highly popular. Having charmed many―these depict the emptiness one feels at the end of gorgeous cormorant fishing when the bonfire has been extinguished. Please reaffirm the splendor of cormorant fishing through the two brother’s works.

This exhibition introduces the works of Akira Matsui, Eizo Kato’s apprentice, whose paintings were exhibited and highly evaluated at the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (Nitten) as well as by the Soga-kai Society.

This exhibition reflects upon the art work of Makoto Inamoto, Toichi Kato’s best pupil, whose paintings were exhibited and highly evaluated at the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (Nitten).

Instead of moving back to Gifu after graduating from the department of Japanese painting at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (presently known as Tokyo University of the Arts), the two brothers stayed in the Kanto region―actively participating in the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (Nitten). However, due to still having strong feelings toward their hometown, they often went back to draw its scenery. This exhibition showcases works by Eizo & Toichi that depict Gifu.

For 14 years from 1974, a commissioned project to reproduce the Mural Painting in the Kondo of Horyu-ji Temple was carried out at Aichi University of the Arts. This exhibition introduces works by Eiki Tsukioka as well as the five Japanese painters who worked under him during the reproduction process.

This exhibition introduces recent works by father-son duo, Masaru & Kou Kuroda―Western-style painters currently residing in Gifu’s Hashima City whose paintings have been exhibited and highly evaluated by the Kokuga-kai Society.

In addition to works by Eizo & Toichi, the museum owns collections by artists who are connected to the two. Many artists who have a connection with Gifu, including those who are now nationally successful, have donated their pieces. Along with the works of Eizo & Toichi, this exhibition introduces recent additions to the museum’s collection.

This exhibition introduces paintings by Ichiro Kawai―a Western-style painter currently residing in Gifu City.

This is an art exhibition showcasing works by instructors and graduates of Nagoya University of the Arts.

This exhibition introduces recent works by Ryuji Noda & Hisako Watanabe―Western-style painters whose paintings have been exhibited and highly evaluated by the art group, Shinseisaku Art Society.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of our museum since its opening on May 11, 1991.
In commemoration, we display the representative works of Eizo & Toichi owned by the museum, and the drawings and books of Eizo's early period, that were restored and mounted thanks to the grant from Gifushin Memorial Foundation. Also, for this commemorative exhibition, we have a special display of the artworks of Kyujin Yamamoto, a master of Japanese-style paining, that could not be exhibited last year.

This exhibition commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Gifu City Art and Culture Encouragement Award, which was established to honor young artists active in the art field.
This exhibition introduces winners within the past 5 years from among 53 winners and 2 organizations.

Five female artists from Gifu Prefecture are showcased, who are active in open call exhibitions of Western-style paintings sponsored by the groups such as Kokugakai, Dokuritsu Fine Arts Society, and Shinseisaku.

Among many Kato Eizo & Toichi’s art pieces, the pieces featuring cormorant fishing are very popular. Portraying the calm subtlety after splendorous cormorant fishing with kagaribi bonfire gone out, those pieces have enchanted a great number of people.
The exhibition gives you another insight of Japanese cultural event - cormorant fishing.

This exhibit showcases Katsutoshi Kumazaki, a Japanese-style painter from Gero City in Gifu Prefecture, also a Nitten Kaiyu or highly reputable winner of the Nitten Exhibition. It looks back and displays 50 years of his work.

This exhibit showcases Masamu Onda, a photographer and an advisor for the Chubu Headquarters of the All-Japan Association of Photographic Societies, displaying his lifework of Mt. Kinka photographs.

The exhibition features our collection of black-and-white ink paintings, drawings and sketches by Kato Eizo & Toichi.

A retrospective exhibition of Maroshi Kawase, a Japanese-style painter, also a member and councilor of the Nihon Bijutsuin (Japan Academy of Fine Arts), who strived to promote Japanese-style paintings. He passed away in August, 2019.
This exhibition showcases about 20 of his paintings, in honor of his works, mainly those exhibited at “In-ten,” Japan Academy of Fine Arts Exhibition.

Kato Eizo & Toichi consistently depict the wonder and awe of “life” through their paintings of living creatures. Closely observing life and death, they created every piece with a “once-in-a-lifetime” spirit, addressing dignity of life. Please enjoy their message.

This exhibition showcases the artwork of Masao Kato, a Western-style painter from Gifu City, also a highly reputable member of the art group, Koyokai.

Hidehiko Esaki, an educator and a Western-style painter, received “The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette.” Commemorating his award, this exhibition showcases his artwork as a member of the Nikakai, a Western-style art group.

This is an exhibition by 14 artists with ages ranging from their thirties to their fifties that transcends genres and factions.

The exhibition displays some of the early pieces of Eizo & Toichi that were restored and mounted, thanks to the grant from Gifushin Memorial Foundation.

The exhibition showcases and looks back the art work of Kyujin Yamamoto, one of the major modern Japanese-style painters, who was awarded the Order of Culture in 1977 for his efforts in embodying the new era of Japanese-style paintings.

Every now and then Eizo & Toichi would visit Gifu, their hometown, and take in the local cormorant fishing, Takayama festival, and Usuzumi-zakura cherry trees. They created a number of paintings based on their hometown roots and this exhibition displays some of their Gifu-themed paintings.

Along with Gifu’s items and products, this exhibition displays illustrations of sengoku busho (military commanders from the Sengoku Period) by 16 illustrators in Gifu, which shows their support of the taiga drama.

The exhibition introduces the art work of Makoto Inamoto, Toichi Kato’s student, whose paintings were exhibited and highly evaluated at the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (Nitten).

The exhibit showcases both Eizo & Toichi’s marvelous artworks and traces back the production process of their drawings, sketches, and paintings.

The exhibit showcases free-spirited, distinctive, and enthusiastic oil paintings by regular members of Shigenkai’s Gifu branch, established in 1948.

This is an exhibit commemorating the rebirth of “Hattobi,” a research group led by Hoji Ito, who is a member of the Nihon Bijutsuin, showcasing some of the enthusiastic artworks of its new members.

The artworks of Eizo & Toichi have been in storage since the opening of the museum, and this exhibition showcases the pieces from our collection that have not been displayed publicly in the recent years.

The exhibit showcases the works of Wataru Goto, a photographer from Gifu City who has been taking pictures of Nagara River since 1977.

The exhibit showcases the works of Takashi Ueno (Real name: Yoshitaka Ueno), an artist from Gifu City.

This exhibition is held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of 《THE KOTEN》, where exhibitions of each artist with freedom and individuality have been held at the same location at the same time.

Eizo & Toichi continued to produce their art work with the concept of “Ichigo ichie (Treasure every meeting, for it will never recur).” Their paintings and drawings of animals such as birds, fish, shellfish and insects will be displayed.

This is a selected exhibition of Gifu Contemporary Artists Association. Art work of new and veteran artists, from various ranks, schools and styles. The works of 33 recommended members will be displayed.

The 50th anniversary exhibition of “Hodo-sha,” an artist group composed of 13 artists from different genres, including Western style and watercolor paintings.

Along with the art work of Eizo & Toichi Kato, the art work of their students, affected artists and the artists connected to them will be displayed.

An exhibition commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Gifu Ink Brush Painting Association. We will exhibit free and distinctive ink brush paintings by members and the board, who are leaders of the association.

This is a planned exhibition that displays the work of Chikako Kanada: a Western style painter from Gifu City and a member of Nikikai, from her early days to the present.