Ultra‑Realism Best Selection from the Hoki Museum Collection
A special exhibition opening in the spring of 2026
Dates
Hours of operation
9:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
*Open late (9:00-20:00): Wednesday, April 29-Wednesday, May 6
Days closed
Open throughout the period
Venue
Admission fee
Adults: 1,300 yen (1,000 yen per person for groups of 20 people or more)
* Special exhibition ticket holders can see the permanent exhibit with no additional fees.
Organizers
Sponsored by The Kagawa Museum
Co-sponsored by the Kagawa Prefectural Board of Education, the Shikoku Shimbun, and TSC TV-Setouchi
Special cooperation provided by Hoki Museum
Planning support provided by TNC-Project
Support provided by the Kagawa Artists Association, news organizations within the prefecture and others
Highlights of each chapter
Chapter 1: Quiet presence
This chapter explores the world of still-life paintings, which depict stationary subjects in detail.
Oil on canvas
Oil on canvas
Chapter 2: The admiration of scenery
The chapter features works that eloquently express the artists’ emotions and admiration of the natural scenery they observed.
Basswood panel. Oil on canvas
Oil on canvas
Chapter 3: Exploration of human beings
The chapter explores the captivating qualities of people through the works of portrait painters.
2007-2010
Oil on canvas
2020
Panel. Oil on chalk ground canvas
Chapter 4: Captivated by light
The chapter explores a variety of ways to depict light, a key theme in Realist paintings.
Oil on gessoed panel
Oil on canvas
Chapter 5: Weave a story
This chapter features narrative works that evoke emotions in their viewers.
Oil on gessoed panel
Basswood panel. Egg tempera on cotton canvas and chalk ground canvas
Special Exhibition Related Projects
Venue 2 (Permanent Exhibition Room 1): Ultimate Realism in the Edo Period — Natural History Albums of the Takamatsu Domain
This exhibition displays a complete collection of natural history albums believed to have been commissioned by Matsudaira Yoritaka, the fifth lord of the Takamatsu domain, exploring how people during the Edo period meticulously depicted wildlife in nature, including fish, birds and plants.
Date: Wednesday, April 8 to Sunday, May 17 (the exhibition will be rearranged, with all pieces being replaced, on Tuesday, April 28.)
Takamatsu Matsudaira Family Natural History Albums
Sea Bream, Edo period, 18th century
Takamatsu Matsudaira Family Natural History Albums
Poppies, Edo period, 18th century
Venue 3 (Permanent Exhibition Room 2): Art Collection — Realism and Art
Appreciate the sound, breeze, scents, temperature and heavenliness captured in these paintings. Realist paintings owned by the museum and associated with Kagawa are displayed in this room.
Date: Tuesday, April 7 to Sunday, May 17
Related events
Opening talk
Admission ticket is required / Venue 1
To commemorate the opening of the exhibition, we have invited Director of Hoki Museum Hoki Hiroko to walk with guests and talk about the works exhibited.
Date and time: Wednesday, April 8 at 11:00 (approximately 30 minutes)
Gallery talks given by artists
Admission ticket is required / Venue 1
Ikushima Hiroshi and Ishiguro Kenichiro will talk about their own works being exhibited.
(1) Date and time: Saturday, April 11, 11:00 and 14:00 (each talk approx. 30-40 min)
Artist: Ikushima Hiroshi, a member of Hakujitsukai, Director of Atelier Coin, and a specially appointed professor at Nara College of Arts
(2) Date and time: Saturday, May 2, 11:00 and 14:00 (each talk approx. 30-40 min)
Artist: Ishiguro Kenichiro, Faculty of Arts professor at Hiroshima City University
Talks for children
Admission ticket and on-site registration are required. There are about 10 places available for each session / Venue 1
Talk to staff while admiring the art in the room.
Date and time: Sunday, April 19 and Tuesday, May 5 (national holiday), two approx. 30 min sessions at 10:00 and 14:00 each day
Eligibility: Preschool toddolers and elementary school children (must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
*They may be eligible for discounted admission fees on April 19, Kagawa Ikuji no Hi
Reception: West Lobby on the second floor
In-lobby talks
Admission ticket is required. West Lobby on the second floor / Venue 1
Staff members use slides to talk about the highlights of the exhibition.
Date and time: Sunday, April 12, Sunday, May 3 (national holiday), Sunday, May 10, Sunday, May 17, two approx. 20 min sessions at 10:00 and 14:00 each day
Golden Week Special Events
No admission fees but on-site registration is required / West Lobby on the second floor
We will hold Drawing for Everyone and Natural History Coloring Book workshops. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Date and time: Monday, May 4 (national holiday) to Wednesday, May 6 (national holiday), 10:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:00 each day
After-hours events
Evening concerts
There are no admission fees but on-site registration is required. 70 places are available on a first-come, first-served basis / Library on the first floor
(1) Live music with flute
Musicians: Kitajima Yumi (flute), Nakao Masaya (piano and electronic keyboard), Aizen Chieko (dancing and singing)
Date and time: Friday, May 1, 18:30-19:20 (Numbered tickets to be issued starting at 17:30. Venue opens at 18:00.)
(2) Celebrate spring with a lithophone made of sanukite
Musicians: Usuki Michiyo (sanukite lithophone), Nagata Junko (piano)
Date and time: Saturday, May 2, 18:00-18:50 (Numbered tickets to be issued starting at 17:00. Venue opens at 17:30.)
Evening talks about Realism
Admission ticket is required / Venue 1, 2, 3
Staff members talk about the highlights of the exhibition at night when it’s quieter. Starting at 18:30 (approximately 30 minutes)
Venue 1: Ultra‑Realism Best Selection from the Hoki Museum Collection: Sunday, May 3 (national holiday), and Monday, May 4 (national holiday)
Venue 2: Ultimate Realism in the Edo Period — Natural History Albums of the Takamatsu Domain: Wednesday, April 29 (national holiday), and Wednesday, May 6 national holiday)
Venue 3: Art Collection — Realism and Art: Thursday, April 30 and Tuesday, May 5 (national holiday)
*Daytime talks are also given in Venues 2 and 3 from 14:00 on Saturdays and 13:30 on Sundays
Venue 2: Sunday, April 19 and Saturday, May 9
Venue 3: Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, May 10
Premium evening tour: Immerse Yourself in Realism at Night
Admission fees apply. Advance booking required (20 tickets are available for each session on a first-come, first-served basis) / Venue 1, 2, 3
The premium talk is given to a limited number of guests after the museum closes. Participants have a special dessert in the café before moving to the exhibition room, where staff present a talk in a relaxed atmosphere.
Date and time: Friday, April 17 and Saturday, May 9, 18:00-20:00 (Reception and venue open at 17:30.)
Reservation: Please go to Travel Booking Website “Jalan.” Reservations are accepted starting Tuesday, March 3.
Evening drinks at the museum
Admission fees apply / Entrance hall on the first floor
Drinks will be served in the entrance hall on select dates.
Date and time: Thursday, April 30 to Sunday, May 3 (national holiday), 16:00-19:30 (last order)
Lighting of AKARI by Isamu Noguchi
No admission fees / Library on the first floor
AKARI light sculptures by Isamu Noguchi will be turned on at night. Please immerse yourself in the magical illumination display (They are turned on at 17:30.).
Lecture: Natural History Albums of the Takamatsu Domain
No admission fees. Advance booking required / Training Room in the first basement
A lecture about the meticulous depictions in the natural history albums that have been passed down within the Takamatsu Matsudaira family, and their charm and mystery.
Date and time: Sunday, April 26, 13:30-15:00
Lecturer: Okuda Hikari (The Kagawa Museum Curator）
Limit: Up to 72 people
Reservation: Please go to the reservation form on the event website or telephone the museum. Reservations will start to be accepted on Saturday, March 21
Special Collaboration Project High School Student Realist Art Exhibition
(1) High School Student Realist Art Exhibition: Decorate the exterior walls of the museum with your art!
(2) High School Student Realist Art Exhibition: Display your works featuring apples in the museum!
Works on the theme of Realism painted by students of seven high schools in the prefecture will be displayed during the period. One winner will be chosen to receive the Director of Hoki Museum Award.