#Japan #Tokyo #Hiroshima #YUGEN Gallery #Ko Yamamoto

Exhibition Overview: "Hiroshima: A Tapestry of Green"

In August 2025, YUGEN Gallery in Minato, Tokyo, will present a special exhibition titled "Hiroshima: A Tapestry of Green" to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the post-war era. This exhibition invites visitors to ponder the relationship between nature and urban development in Hiroshima, a city that was devastated by the atomic bomb but has since experienced a remarkable resurgence of greenery.

The exhibition, running from August 1 to August 17, will feature the works of four talented artists: Moeko Tokumoto, Mayu Watanabe, Asuka Takamatsu, and Taiki Arita. Under the guidance of curator Ko Yamamoto from the Tamentai Art Collective, the exhibition will showcase new creations that explore the intricate interplay between human beings and the natural world.

The lush greenery that now graces Hiroshima stood in stark contrast to its past, where it was once said that "not a blade of grass would grow" due to the extensive damage from the atomic bomb. Most of the trees that now adorn the Peace Boulevard were planted post-war, symbolizing resilience and recovery. However, recent years have seen reports of unexpected tree falls, raising concerns about urban management of these vital green spaces.

Yamamoto’s curation aims to address these complexities through the lens of the featured artists, each of whom has a unique take on how plants exist outside human timelines. For this exhibition, the artists will transform YUGEN Gallery into an urban oasis, allowing visitors to reflect on urban life and post-war reconstruction in a space filled with various forms of greenery.

Featured Artists

1. Moeko Tokumoto: Born in Kanagawa in 1993, Tokumoto incorporates sewing techniques into her work—using a sewing machine to stitch leaves into unique forms, thus preserving the connection between time, nature, and humanity.
- Instagram: @moekotokumoto

2. Mayu Watanabe: Born in 1991, Watanabe creates collages that shrink and recombine elements from photographs of plants into imaginative islands, delving into the concept of belonging and space.
- Instagram: @watamayu18

3. Asuka Takamatsu: Born in Kagawa in 1984, she captures moments from stage and film, as well as daily life, in her paintings.
- Instagram: @takamatsu_asuka

4. Taiki Arita: A native of Hiroshima born in 1987, Arita uses materials tied to memory in order to abstractly convey their relationships in his art.
- Instagram: @taikiarita_art

Event Details

• - Title: Special Project: "Hiroshima: A Tapestry of Green"
• - Dates: August 1, 2025 - August 17, 2025
• - Opening Hours: Weekdays 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Weekends 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• - Location: YUGEN Gallery, 4F KD Minami-Aoyama Building, 3-1-31 Minato, Tokyo
• - Admission: Free

This exhibition not only celebrates the resilience of Hiroshima’s green spaces but also urges reflection on our relationship with nature amidst urban environments. For up-to-date information about the event, visit YUGEN Gallery's official website.