The past, present, and future of arts and culture,
and perspectives on Japan and the wider world…
The Kan’ei era (1624–1644), during which this momentous event symbolizing the harmonization of the Imperial Court and the Tokugawa Shogunate took place, was a period when a rich cultural tradition flourished, particularly in Kyoto. The arts and culture of this era had a profound influence on the subsequent development of Japanese culture.
This lecture will explore the historical background of the period and introduce the world of art that exemplifies the elegance and refinement of Kan’ei Culture.
It offers an opportunity to discover the aesthetic sensibilities and artistic traditions cultivated in Kyoto 400 years ago, and to appreciate their enduring appeal. We warmly invite you to attend.
Lecturer Profile
Jhohei Sasaki
A scholar of Japanese art history, specializing in the history of early modern Japanese painting.
After completing his graduate studies at Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Letters, he worked in cultural property protection administration at the Agency for Cultural Affairs. He subsequently served as Director of the Kyoto National Museum.
He currently holds several positions, including Honorary Director of the Kyoto National Museum, Honorary Director of the Kyoto Prefectural Tango Museum of Regional History, Chairperson of the Kyoto City Museum Facilities Liaison Council, and Director of the Hanazono University Museum of History.
His publications include Yosa Buson, Ike Taiga, Uragami Gyokudo, Studies on Maruyama Okyo, and A Comprehensive Survey of Classical Japanese Paintings.
He has received numerous awards, including the Kokka Prize, the Japan Academy Prize, and Germany’s Humboldt Research Award. His other distinctions include recognition for cultural contributions from the City of Kyoto, the Special Distinguished Service Award of the Kyoto Prefecture Culture Prize, and the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.
Event Information
| Date and Time | Sunday, November 22, 2026 — 2:00–3:30 p.m. (Registration begins at 1:30 p.m.) |
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| Venue | Kyoto Municipal Museum of School History 437 Tachibana-cho, Gokomachi-dori Bukkoji-sagaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8044, Japan. Please use public transportation, as no parking facilities are available. |
| Participation Fee | Free (separate museum admission fee of ¥400 required). Elementary and junior high school students attending schools in Kyoto City are admitted free of charge on Saturdays and Sundays. |
| Capacity | 60 participants (advance registration required; first-come, first-served) |
| Registration Deadline | Saturday, November 21 |
| How to Register | Please register directly with the museum by telephone or through the dedicated online registration form.
Telephone: 075-344-1305 |
