On October 9, the Hokusai-kan Foundation announced its 50th anniversary exhibition, "Homecoming Exhibition of 'EXPOSITION HOKUSAI' in Nantes, France: Masterpieces of Hokusai in Obuse," to be held from October 24 to January 17, 2027. It will display about 160 works from the Hokusai-kan collection that were shown at the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany in Nantes, France, in 2025.
"Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji," and actor prints and surimono from his youth
In the opening section of the exhibition, "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" is shown together. Hokusai's color woodblock prints are introduced through works such as "Under the Wave off Kanagawa." In addition to works from "Remarkable Views of Bridges in Various Provinces" and "A Tour of Waterfalls in the Provinces," actor prints and surimono that Hokusai made in his youth are also planned.
In surimono such as "In Front of a Fan Shop," you can trace the fine details drawn into the figures and their surroundings. Alongside the prints, the collection of paintings made directly with the brush will also be shown, presenting expression through different techniques.
A program that also touches on beauty paintings, landscapes and the history of Nantes
Among the brush paintings, beauty paintings such as "Shirabyoshi" and "Two Beauties" and landscapes such as "Landscape with a Ferry Boat" will be displayed. "Dragon Rising Over Mount Fuji," painted just before Hokusai's death, will also be shown.
A program introducing the history of the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany and the collection of the History Museum of Nantes is also planned. On December 13 from 14:00 to 16:00, a workshop on painting Christmas candles and making ornaments will be held. It is for 20 participants aged 5 and over; children up to elementary school age must be accompanied by a guardian, and the fee is ¥500 per person. Participants can also view the exhibition. Details on how to join are available on the Hokusai-kan events page.
Note the rotation of works and the year-end and New Year opening hours
The first period runs from October 24 to December 6, and the second from December 9 to January 17, with some works rotated. On December 7 and 8, only the Festival Float Exhibition Room is open for the changeover. The museum is closed on December 31, and on January 1 it opens for shortened hours, from 10:00 to 15:00.
- Venue: Hokusai-kan / 485 Obuse, Obuse-machi, Kamitakai-gun, Nagano
- Dates: October 24, 2026 to January 17, 2027
- Regular hours: 9:00 to 17:00, last admission 30 minutes before closing
- Admission: Adults ¥1,200; high school and university students ¥500; elementary and junior high school students ¥300
- Organizer: Hokusai-kan Foundation
Image: courtesy of Hokusai-kan
