#Japan #Tokyo #Art Exhibition #Han Meilin #Ueno Royal Museum

Overview of the Exhibition

In January 2026, a landmark exhibition titled "Aesthetic Forest in TOKYO: Han Meilin Art Exhibition" will be held at the Ueno Royal Museum in Japan. This significant event marks the first opportunity for Japanese audiences to experience the works of Han Meilin, a globally recognized Chinese multi-artist. The exhibition runs from January 9th to January 26th, 2026, coinciding with Han Meilin's 90th birthday, making it an especially notable event.

Han Meilin gained international acclaim for designing the mascot for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which solidified his status as a prominent artist. The exhibition will explore five thematic chapters, namely Silkworm Light, Rock Spirits, Poetic Feelings, Pattern Changes, and Heavenly Etiquette, through approximately 200 selected works that showcase Han's diverse styles and artistic evolution over more than 70 years.

Thematic Chapters

Chapter 1: Silkworm Light

• - Owl (2006)
• - Rising Clouds (2006)

Chapter 2: Rock Spirits

• - Twin Horses (2016)
• - Twin Cattle (2011)

Chapter 3: Poetic Feelings

• - Mother and Child (2001)
• - Human Body (2018)

Chapter 4: Pattern Changes

• - Art Furniture (2014)
• - Fish (2006)

Chapter 5: Heavenly Etiquette

• - Supreme Goodness Like Water (2016)
• - Excerpts from Mencius: Gaozi (2016)

Artist Profile

Han Meilin was born in 1936 in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. He has expanded the realm of art by integrating traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting with modern expression, venturing into ceramics, design, sculpture, and large-scale installations. Han's unique worldview has garnered him immense respect in the history of Chinese art.

His extensive career includes a notable tour across 21 U.S. cities in 1980, receiving the World Master of Art Award from the World Artists Association in 2004, and being recognized as one of the most noteworthy Chinese individuals by the Global Times in 2011. In December 2013, Han Meilin Day was established in China, underscoring his impact on the arts.

Recent collaborations include projects with renowned brands such as Audi and Bearbrick, further showcasing his ability to transcend artistic boundaries.

Han currently holds multiple prestigious titles, including Honorary Professor at Tsinghua University, Honorary Researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and History, and Vice President of the World Chinese Association.

Exhibition Information

Exhibition Name: Aesthetic Forest in TOKYO: Han Meilin Art Exhibition

• - Location: Ueno Royal Museum, 1-2 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0007
• - Dates: January 9 to January 26, 2026 (Open daily)
• - Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM (Noon opening on January 9; Last admission at 4:30 PM)

Admission Fees:

• - General: ¥1,500 (Advance ¥1,200)
• - University Students and Seniors (65+): ¥1,000 (Advance ¥800)
• - Free for High School Students and Below, Disabled Individuals (with one caregiver)

Ticket Sales:

• - Advance Tickets: On sale from November 7, 2025 to January 8, 2026
• - Same Day Tickets: Available from January 9 to January 26, 2026

Tickets can be purchased through Lawson Ticket, Asoview, Ticket Pia, ePlus, Seven Ticket, and Rakuten Ticket with specific promotions available.

Access and Contact Information

For further inquiries about the exhibition, please contact Han Meilin Exhibition at [email protected]. Note that responses will be provided on weekdays, excluding weekends and public holidays.

This exhibition not only celebrates Han Meilin's artistic achievements but also fosters a deeper understanding of contemporary art's potential to transcend cultural boundaries, making it an unmissable event for art lovers in Japan and beyond.