The Intriguing Art Exhibition 'TANAAMI!! AKATSUKA!!' Opened at Azabu Dai Hills

A Celebration of Manga Art: 'TANAAMI!! AKATSUKA!!' Exhibition

The 'TANAAMI!! AKATSUKA!!' exhibition, showcasing the remarkable collaboration between two iconic figures in Japanese art, Keiichi Tanaami and Fujio Akatsuka, is currently being held at the Shueisha Manga Art Heritage Tokyo Gallery located in the Azabu Dai Hills.

This exhibition acts as a tribute to the culmination of Tanaami's artistic journey and the influence of Akatsuka, often hailed as the king of gag manga. The exhibition is a visual treat, featuring various artworks, including a series of six stunning gravure prints titled 'TANAAMI!! AKATSUKA!! / Revolver.' In these pieces, Tanaami brilliantly transforms and abstracts Akatsuka's beloved characters, capturing their essence while reimagining their forms.

In 2021, the closure of gravure printing in Japanese publishing marked a significant turning point; as a response, Tanaami created these artworks as a symbolic farewell to this cherished printing method. The prints, deeply embedded in Japan's publishing culture, represent a blend of artistry and the comic world that Akatsuka pioneered during his lifetime (1935–2008).

Just this year in January, the 'TANAAMI!! AKATSUKA!! / That’s All Right!!' exhibition was held at the PARCO Museum Tokyo, leading to the publication of a companion book that has received multiple accolades, including the Tokyo ADC Award and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at the National Catalog Exhibition. Highlighting Tanaami's work further, a selection of these gravure prints will soon be archived in the New York Public Library following their display at the ART ON PAPER Fair in September 2023.

Coming up in September 2025, Tanaami's works, including those featured in the 'TANAAMI!! AKATSUKA!! / Revolver' series, will be part of the 'Art of Manga' exhibition at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. Visitors can also view the long-awaited projects involving paintings, kimonos, and films related to this theme at the Minnesota Street Project in San Francisco.

The Tokyo Gallery where the 'TANAAMI!! AKATSUKA!!' exhibition is being held embraces the aesthetics of Japanese gravure printing. A stunning visual design concept reflects the processing of paper through the printing machines, embodying the physicality of the gravure printing process with white curvatures and cylindrical metallic elements.

To enhance the experience, the gallery walls are adorned with descriptions and visuals explaining the massive gravure machines that defined the Japanese publishing landscape during the period of rapid growth. The grandeur of these machines, which can measure up to 60 meters in length and 15-20 meters in height, informs visitors about the scale and significance of gravure printing in shaping popular culture.

Additionally, on October 24, 2024, live performances featuring music and dance will be screened at the Tanaami keiichi Memory Adventure exhibition held at the National Art Center in Tokyo. This live experience will include performances from renowned artists like Akira Sakata on saxophone and clarinet, Hiroshi Sakamoto on cello, and dancer Youko Honaga, bringing another layer of vibrancy to Tanaami's immersive artistic universe.

The 'TANAAMI!! AKATSUKA!!' exhibition runs from October 14, 2025, to December 29, 2025, at the Shueisha Manga Art Heritage Tokyo Gallery in the B1 level of the Azabu Dai Hills. The gallery opens daily from 11 AM to 8 PM and is conveniently located near the Kamiyacho Station of the Hibiya Line.

Keiichi Tanaami, born on July 21, 1936, in Tokyo, graduated from Musashino Art University and has become an influential figure in modern art, recognized for his cross-genre creativity through silk screen printing, illustrations, collages, and more. His experimental approach and intersections of art, design, and everyday beauty position him as one of Japan’s pioneering figures in pop art, achieving global acclaim. The exhibition not only showcases his artistic achievements but also invites audiences to explore the ever-evolving dialogue between manga and fine art through the lens of these two masters' collaborative spirit.