Aramata Hiroshi’s Grand Treasure Trove MANGA-ful
2020/5/11(Mon) 〜 8/25(Tue) 9/27(Sun)
* We will extend the exhibition period
* We will extend the exhibition period
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ClosuresEvery Wednesday
June 16 and 18, September 8
*No closure between July 16 and August 25 -
Fee
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Venue2F Gallery 1, 2 and 3
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OrganizationKyoto International Manga Museum
Kyoto Seika University International Manga Research Center
内容
The Kyoto International Manga Museum has an ongoing mini exhibition series called ‘Treasure Trove MANGA-ful’, curated by the museum’s Executive Director Aramata Hiroshi, with the aim of “tracing forgotten ancestors of manga to search the roots of contemporary manga”. The ‘MANGA-ful treasures’, as coined by Executive Director Aramata, include manga that are “as good as buried in the trash unless someone finds them”, and their value is that junk is intrinsically fun.
This exhibition was designed as a special grand version of ‘Treasure Trove MANGA-ful’, produced by Executive Director Aramata himself. In a sense, Aramata Hiroshi has been the director of ‘Treasure Trove MANGA-ful’ since his childhood. We will showcase his personal collections and creations to introduce a life valued by writing and drawing, collecting things, objects, and figures that others have overlooked.
Exhibition layout
Display corners are named after the titles of publications by Executive Director Aramata.
Manga and Life
Introducing Executive Director Aramata and the history of the Aramata family through displays of manga and paintings that influenced Aramata as boy, as well as manga and self-published magazines that he contributed to in his youth.
Exhibits
- ◆Paintings and manga from Aramata’s elementary, middle and high-school years (original artwork)
- ◆Belongings of Aramata’s younger sister Shimura Midori who later became a manga artist, as well as the self-published magazine ‘Tokyo Junior’ which Aramata contributed to under the name of his sister.
…and more.
Mountains of Horror-Fantasy Literature
Since high school, Executive Director Aramata has read a wide variety of foreign literary genres that were largely unknown in Japan, including gothic horror and fantasy literature. These directly influenced his writing later on in life. Here we introduce self-published magazines and other works for which he contributed original stories, and translations with original illustrations.
Exhibits
- ◆Gothic horror and fantasy stories with original illustrations by young Aramata and others.
- ◆Self-published anime by young Aramata and others.
…and more.
Natural History in Pictorial Books
The ‘Illustrated Guide to Natural History’ series firmly established Executive Director Aramata as a specialist in natural history. This exhibit showcases the beautiful 18-19th Century natural history paintings that adorn these large volumes, and the detailed fish observation journal that suggests he has been a biologist since childhood.
Exhibits
- ◆Natural history illustrations (hand painted copperplate engravings)
- ◆The world’s first color illustrated reference book of fish “Maluka Islands illustrated book of fish”
- ◆Fish observation journal by young Aramata
…and more.
The Bizzare Who’s Who
Introducing Mita Heibonji (1876-1960), a ‘strangely mysterious gentleman’ who has currently caught the attention of Executive Director Aramata. Mita Heibonji was an enigmatic hobbyist, who created a roller skating rink in his own home during the Taisho era, and led a peculiar group of collectors known as the Garakutashuu. We will present a selection of the vast collection of materials entrusted to us by his decedents including his grandson, manga columnist and researcher Natsume Fusanosuke.
Exhibits
- ◆Diaries, novels, paintings, etc. by Mita Heibonji (original artifacts)
- ◆Materials related to Garakutashuu (magazines, meeting photographs, etc.)
- ◆Hanging scroll by Kobayashi Kiyochika, Heibonji’s painting teacher.
…and more.
Aramata Art History
Introducing Aramata’s collection of rare prints and originals including popular novel illustrations and other works not generally regarded as “art” such as fashion pictures from 20th Century visual magazines, and pinup girl illustrations.
Exhibits
- ◆Original artwork by Tachibana Sayume
- ◆Fashion pictures (art prints) from 20th Century visual magazines
…and more.
The Tale of the Imperial Capital
A themed room that displays exhibits related to the novel ‘Teito Monogatari’ (The tale of the imperial capital) that made Executive Director Aramata famous. Exhibits include original manga and illustrations based on the novel, as well as materials related to the film adaptation, directed by Jisouji Akio.
Exhibits
- ◆About 180 original drawings from Takahashi Yosuke’s ‘Teito Monogatari’ manga.
- ◆About 180 original drawings and production materials from Fujiwara Kamui’s ‘Teito Monogatari’ manga.
- ◆‘Teito Monogatari’ film concept art illustrations by Terada Katsuya from the ‘Teito Blu-ray Complete Box’ (digital print).
- ◆‘Teito Monogatari’ film script, and storyboard (copy).
- ◆ Novel story booklet ‘Teito Monogatari’ as first published in ‘Gekkan shosetsu-o’ (Monthly Novel King aka Hero Magazine).
…and more.
★The (sub)theme of the whole exhibition is: What is the (manga) museum?!
Executive Director Aramata has researched the history of natural history and the chaotic circumstances in which any interesting object was incorporated into collections, including the Wunderkammer (Cabinets of curiosities) and hygienic exhibitions which pre-existed the modern institutionalization of museums. These (pre)museums overlap with the current circumstance in which the subculture of manga has come into contact with museums, begging the question “what is a museum in the first place?”
Related Events
We are planning talks with manga artists, researchers, and colleagues from his university days.
Once the details are finalized, they will be announced on the Manga Museum website.
Additional note
To prevent the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), there is a possibility that future exhibitions and events may be postponed or cancelled at short notice. Please check our homepage for details.
Profile of Aramata Hiroshi
Author. Executive Director of Kyoto International Manga Museum.
Born in Tokyo in 1947. Aramata graduated from Keio University, and became an independent professional after 10 years of life as a salaried worker. While working as assistant editor for an encyclopaedia, he wrote the bestselling novel Teito Monogatari (The tale of the imperial capital) which was awarded the Nihon SF Taisho Award. He won the Suntory Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities for Sekai dai-hakubutsu zukan (World Natural History Encyclopaedia), and continues to write prolifically in various fields including occultism, natural science, feng shui, etc. As a writer and translator he has produced more than 350 books.
He is also famous as a collector of rare books.
*Please note that the schedule, performers, and contents are subject to change.
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