Art exhibition in Kyoto
140th Birth Anniversary: Seika Yamaga — Imagination in Flight at Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art
The first retrospective in 40 years devoted to textile artist Seika Yamaga. The second exhibition period begins November 3, with some works replaced. Last admission at 5:30 PM.
- Dates
- Sep 19 (Sat) – Dec 20 (Sun)
- Hours
- 10:00 – 18:00
- Venue
- Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Main Building, South Wing, 1st Floor
- Nearest station
- Higashiyama
- Admission
- Adults ¥1,800; university, vocational school, and high school students ¥1,300; junior high school students and younger free
About this event
One Japanese textile artist wove rockets, locomotives and Tokyo Tower into traditional designs. Kyoto-born Seika Yamaga studied Nishijin textile design and Japanese painting before developing his own tapestry technique, Teorinishiki. In 1927, his work Dutch Ship won a special distinction at the Imperial Art Exhibition. Alongside traditional heavenly maidens and dragons, he embraced images of modern technology. This is the first major retrospective of his work in 40 years. From preliminary designs to weaving and interior decoration, the exhibition traces how Kyoto's textile traditions expanded into modern art.
Highlights
- The first Seika Yamaga retrospective in 40 years
- His original tapestry technique, Teorinishiki
- Dutch Ship, recognized at the 1927 Imperial Art Exhibition
- Textiles depicting rockets, locomotives and Tokyo Tower
- Design influences from Kamisaka Sekka
- Good for
- For visitors interested in Japanese crafts, textiles, fashion and art history.
Good to know before you go
- Some works change during the exhibition. The second display period begins November 3.
- Student identification is required for student admission.
- Visitors with eligible disability certificates can receive free admission.
- A reciprocal same-day discount is available with Zen and Ghibli.
Pochikichi's story cornerWhy did rockets appear in traditional Kyoto textiles?
Seika Yamaga was born in Kyoto in 1885 into a family operating a letterpress printing business. He studied Nishijin textile design and Japanese painting before becoming a pupil of Kamisaka Sekka. His work developed from Kyoto's rich craft traditions.
Yamaga devised Teorinishiki, a form of tapestry in which he personally handled the design, thread selection and weaving. His Dutch Ship received a special distinction at the Imperial Art Exhibition in 1927, helping establish textiles as an artistic medium.
For festival decorations, Yamaga used traditional motifs such as heavenly maidens and dragons. For wall hangings, he also depicted locomotives, rockets and Tokyo Tower. Modern machines and structures became subjects for traditional weaving.
His work shows how traditional skills can respond to a changing world. Kyoto textiles were not simply relics of the past but an evolving creative medium. That is why you should look closely at the rockets and locomotives woven with traditional techniques.
Sources: Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art: Seika Yamaga Exhibition (Japanese)
FAQ
- What is 140th Birth Anniversary: Seika Yamaga — Imagination in Flight at Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art?
- One Japanese textile artist wove rockets, locomotives and Tokyo Tower into traditional designs. Kyoto-born Seika Yamaga studied Nishijin textile design and Japanese painting before developing his own tapestry technique, Teorinishiki. In 1927, his work Dutch Ship won a special distinction at the Imperial Art Exhibition. Alongside traditional heavenly maidens and dragons, he embraced images of modern technology. This is the first major retrospective of his work in 40 years. From preliminary designs to weaving and interior decoration, the exhibition traces how Kyoto's textile traditions expanded into modern art.
- When is 140th Birth Anniversary: Seika Yamaga — Imagination in Flight at Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art?
- From Sep 19 (Sat) to Dec 20 (Sun), 2026.
- What are the opening hours?
- 10:00 – 18:00
- How much does it cost?
- Adults ¥1,800; university, vocational school, and high school students ¥1,300; junior high school students and younger free
- Where is it and what is the nearest station?
- Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Main Building, South Wing, 1st Floor. The nearest station is Higashiyama.
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