[Oita Art and Culture Tour | OITA Art&Culture] Introduction of the Oita Prefectural Art Museum, etc 2026 Collection Exhibition 3 The Shape of Bamboo—Transcending Time / Oita City,

　Oita Prefectural Art Museum houses approximately 300 works of bamboo craft from within and outside the prefecture, centered on about 80 pieces by Shōno Shōunsai (1904–74), a native of Oita Prefecture who was the first person to be designated a Living National Treasure in the field of bamboo art. The collection is recognized as one of the largest in Japan in terms of both quality and quantity. The museum regards bamboo crafts as a major regional cultural resource born from Oita’s unique cultural landscape and holds an annual series of special exhibitions on bamboo crafts as part of its collection exhibitions.
　 In this year’s Collection Exhibition III, we present the history of Japanese bamboo crafts from the modern era onward through works by artists who elevated bamboo crafts to an art form, including the first-generation Tanabe Chikuunsai, Iizuka Rōkansai, and Shōno Shōunsai. Furthermore, the exhibition focuses on contemporary artists who have pioneered new forms of expression through their unique sensibilities, exploring the diverse aesthetic beauty and appeal of bamboo crafts. Additionally, visitors can view paintings featuring bamboo motifs by Tanomura Chikuden and Fukuda Heihachiro, as well as works by Ujiyama Teppei, marking the 40th anniversary of his passing.