Terrifying Things‐The History and Art of “Fear” in Kagawa
First exhibition period: August 1–30, 2026
Second exhibition period: September 1–October 4, 2026
*Some works will be changed between the first and second exhibition periods.
Kagawa’s “Otoroshii Mon” Gather in One Place
Dates
First exhibition period: August 1–30, 2026
Second exhibition period: September 1–October 4, 2026
*Some works will be changed between the first and second exhibition periods.
Hours of operation
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. *Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.
Extended hours until 8:00 p.m. on August 8–10 and September 19–23
Days closed
August 24 and 31; September 7, 14, 24 and 28
Venue
Admission fee
General admission: 800 yen
Advance tickets and groups of 20 or more: 650 yen per person
*Admission is free for high school students and younger, residents of Kagawa Prefecture aged 65 or older, holders of a disability certificate, recipient certificate for specific medical expenses for designated intractable diseases, recipient certificate for medical expenses for specified chronic pediatric diseases, or similar documentation, as well as their accompanying caregivers.
* Special exhibition ticket holders can see the permanent exhibit with no additional fees.
Advance tickets are available at The Kagawa Museum and 7-Eleven stores from July 1 to July 31, 2026. (Seven Code: 116-127)
Organizers
Sponsored by
The Kagawa Museum
Co-sponsored by
| Kagawa Prefectural Board of Education |
Support provided by
Kagawa Prefecture Association for Cultural Properties Protection; Kagawa Artists Association; Kagawa Prefecture PTA Council; Asahi Shimbun Takamatsu Office; Sankei Shimbun; The Sanyo Shimbun; The Shikoku Shimbun; The Nikkei Takamatsu Bureau; Mainichi Shimbun Takamatsu Bureau; Yomiuri Shimbun Takamatsu Office; NHK Takamatsu Broadcasting Station; Okayama Broadcasting; RSK Sanyo Broadcasting; Setonaikai Broadcasting; TV Setouchi Broadcasting; Nishinippon Broadcasting; FM Kagawa; FM Takamatsu
Section Highlights and Major Exhibits
*All works and materials are in the Museum collection unless otherwise noted.
Section 1: What Does “Otoroshii” Mean?
In this section, paintings and other works that evoke feelings of fear and eeriness are introduced.
Section 2: Scenes of Hell
What is hell like? In this section, jigoku-zu, or paintings of hell, that are preserved at temples in Kagawa Prefecture are introduced.
Section 3: Vengeful Spirits Connected to Sanuki
In this section, vengeful spirits connected to Sanuki that have been depicted in stories are introduced. They include Emperor Emeritus Sutoku, one of Japan’s three great vengeful spirits, and the Heike warriors who drowned in the Seto Inland Sea.
Section 4: Yokai and Sanuki
In this section, valuable works related to yokai that have been preserved in Kagawa Prefecture are introduced. They are presented in cooperation with Negoroji Temple, Kotohira-gu Shrine and the Kagawa University Library.
Ishida Sekko, Picture of Ushioni (Ushioni Zu), 1808,
Collection of Negoroji Temple, special public showing, on view during the second exhibition period
Collection of the Kanbara Collection, Kagawa University Library, special public showing
Section 5: Inescapable Nature
Disasters have long been one aspect of “otoroshii mon.” In this section, works related to disasters and maritime accidents in Kagawa Prefecture and works whose creation was influenced by disasters are introduced.
Sanuki Province 1854, private collection
Section 6: Overcoming Terrifying Things
People have sought to overcome fear in many different ways. This section focuses on objects used for prayer and protection.
Related events
In-lobby talks
*Free with exhibition admission. No reservation required.
Guests and Museum staff will present a slideshow introducing highlights of the exhibition.
Date and Time: *All talks begin at 2:00 p.m. and last approximately 20 minutes.
August 1 (Sat.): The Kanbara Collection at Kagawa University Library — Morita Hayato, Professor, Faculty of Education, Kagawa University
August 2 (Sun.): Sanuki and Vengeful Spirits — Fujii Shunsuke, Chief Curator, The Kagawa Museum
August 16 (Sun.): Otoroshii Pictures — Kubomi Yukako, Chief Specialist Curator, The Kagawa Museum
August 23 (Sun.): Sea Apparitions — Tai Yoshiaki, Specialist, Seto Inland Sea Folk History Museum
September 19 (Sat.): The Breach of Manno Reservoir — Fujita Shoichi, Teacher, Kagawa Prefectural Kagawa Seibu Special Needs School
October 3 (Sat.): The World of Jigoku-e — Ueno Susumu, Professor, Faculty of Literature, Tokushima Bunri University
Venue: West Lobby and Special Exhibition Room, 2F
Curator Lectures
*Free. Advance reservation required.
1. How Much Do You Know About Sanuki’s Vengeful Spirits and Yokai?
In this lecture, the vengeful spirits whose stories have been passed down in Sanuki, stories related to Emperor Emeritus Sutoku and yokai legend are introduced.
Date and Time: August 29 (Sat.), 1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Lecturer: Fujii Shunsuke, Chief Curator, The Kagawa Museum
Venue: Seminar Room, B1F
Capacity: 72 participants; first come, first served
Reservation Period: Reservations open on July 29 (Wed.)
How to Reserve: Reservation form on the Museum website or by phone at 087-822-0247
2. What Do Pictures of Terrifying Things Mean?
In this lecture, the feeling “fear” found in modern and contemporary works of art is discussed.
Date and time: September 13 (Sun.), 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Lecturer: Kubomi Yukako, Chief Specialist Curator, The Kagawa Museum
Venue: Seminar Room, B1F
Capacity: 72 participants; first come, first served
Reservation Period: Reservations open on July 29 (Wed.)
How to Reserve: Reservation form on the Museum website or by phone at 087-822-0247
Workshop: Make Your Own Chochin Lantern!
*Fee and advance reservation required.
Make a chochin, a traditional Japanese lantern, light it up and explore the exhibition room!
Date and Time: August 7 (Fri.) and August 8 (Sat.), 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. each day
Instructor: Kagawa University Student Project TERASU
Venue: Workshop, B1F; Special Exhibition Room, 2F
For: Elementary school students; 15 participants each day. Children in grade 3 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Participants will be selected by lottery if applications exceed capacity.
Participation Fee: 550 yen per person. Parents and guardians are required to have a special exhibition ticket.
Reservation Period: July 3 (Fri.)–July 24 (Fri.)
How to Reserve: Reservation form on the Museum website（August 7 (Fri.)、August 8 (Sat.)）
Reception: West Lobby, 2F
Obon Tour: Exploring Scenes of Hell
*Free with exhibition admission. No reservation required.
Museum staff will explain the scenes depicted in the work Scenes of Hell.
Date and Time: August 12 (Wed.)–August 14 (Fri.) *The event begins at 11:00 a.m. each day and lasts approximately 20 minutes.
Venue: Special Exhibition Room, 2F
Taihei Hyaku Monogatari Readings
*Free with exhibition admission. No reservation required.
High school students from the Museum’s volunteer program will present terrifying stories from Sanuki recorded in the Taihei Hyaku Monogatari, an Edo-period collection of ghost stories featured in this exhibition, using handmade kamishibai picture-story cards.
Date and Time: August 22 (Sat.) and August 23 (Sun.) *The event begins at 11:00 a.m. each day and lasts approximately 20 minutes.
Venue: West Lobby, 2F
Night Museum: Evening Opening Events
Suzukaze Night Talk
*Free with exhibition admission. No reservation required.
Museum staff will introduce highlights of the exhibition in the exhibition rooms during the quiet evening hours.
*The event begins at 6:30 p.m. each day and lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Date:
Special Exhibition Room, Otoroshii Mon: August 8 (Sat.) and September 21 (Mon., national holiday)
Permanent Exhibition Room 1, Tourist Destination: Yashima: August 9 (Sun.)
Permanent Exhibition Room 2, Landscapes of Kagawa: September 22 (Tue., national holiday)
Permanent Exhibition Rooms 4 and 5, Looking Back on Life in the Showa Period: August 10 (Mon.) and September 23 (Wed., national holiday)
Premium Night Tour: Mystery Night
*Fee required. Advance reservation required. Limited to the first 20 participants each day.
The premium talk is given to a limited number of guests after the museum closes. Enjoy items from a special café menu and a talk by the exhibition’s curator in the exhibition room.
Date and Time: August 22 (Sat.) and September 12 (Sat.), 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.; doors open and reception begins at 5:30 p.m.
Venue: Café, 1F; Special Exhibition Room, 2F
Participation Fee: 2,500 yen
Reservations: Through the Japanese travel booking website Jalan.net (opens in a new tab)
Reservation Period: Reservations open on July 22 (Wed.)
Night Concert: Japanese Melodies on an Autumn Evening
*Free. Same-day registration required. Numbered tickets will be distributed.
Enjoy traditional Japanese music performed by the Kagawa Prefecture Sankyoku Association, which has been active for more than 50 years, featuring the sounds of the koto, sangen/shamisen and shakuhachi.
Date and Time: September 19 (Sat.) and September 20 (Sun.)
*Each performance runs from 6:00 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. Numbered tickets will be distributed beginning at 5:00 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Performers: Kagawa Prefecture Sankyoku Association
Venue: Library, 1F
Capacity: 70 participants; first come, first served
Evening Drinks at the Museum
*Fee required.
Drinks will be served in the entrance hall on select dates.
Date and Time: August 8 (Sat.), August 10 (Mon.), September 19 (Sat.), September 20 (Sun.) and September 22 (Tue., national holiday)
4:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. each day; last orders at 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Entrance Hall, 1F
Lighting of AKARI by Isamu Noguchi
*Free.
During the Night Museum evening opening period, visitors can enjoy a special display of Isamu Noguchi’s AKARI light sculptures.
Illuminated Display Date and Time: August 8 (Sat.)–10 (Mon.) and September 19 (Sat.)–23 (Wed., national holiday) *Lighting of AKARI begins at 5:30 p.m.
Venue: Library, 1F