Celebrating Culture: The Special Exhibition 'Byobu Matsuri' in Kyoto 2025

This past July, from the 13th to the 16th, 2025, a remarkable cultural event unfolded in Kyoto with the special exhibition known as 'Byobu Matsuri' held at the designated cultural heritage site, the Nagai House. Organised by Hoojiers Holdings, alongside the Ritsumeikan University Art Research Center, this event attracted over 1,100 enthusiastic visitors eager to immerse themselves in the rich traditions of the Kyoto machiya (townhouse) lifestyle.

The exhibition featured detailed displays of byobu (folding screens) and kakemono (hanging scrolls), providing a glimpse into the cultural treasures from the Showa era, thematically captured under '100 Years of Showa.' The mingling of historical artifacts alongside the architectural beauty of the Nagai House allowed guests to experience a tangible piece of Japan's heritage, typically restricted from public view for preservation purposes.

Overview of the Byobu Matsuri

The Byobu Matsuri celebrates the long-standing tradition in Kyoto, coinciding annually with the Gion Matsuri’s eve festivities each July. During this time, vintage residences and long-standing shops in the city open their doors to share their cherished art pieces and furnishings, allowing visitors to thoroughly enjoy and engage with the cultural inheritance passed down through generations. Each year, around 20 different sites participate, showcasing priceless artifacts and providing opportunities to experience traditional culture first-hand.

Event Details

- Dates: July 13th (Sunday) to July 16th (Wednesday), 2025
- Hours: July 13th from 1 PM to 6 PM; July 14th, 15th, and 16th from 10 AM to 8 PM
- Location: Nagai House, 394 Funahoko-cho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto
- Total Visitors: Over 1,100 over four days
- Organized by: Hoojiers Holdings and co-organized by Ritsumeikan University Art Research Center

Exhibition Highlights

This year's exhibition prominently displayed four crafted byobu and many kakemono, along with various materials focusing on the Showa period—such as archival films, vintage photographs, daily-use items, and cultural materials preserved from that era. One of the centerpiece exhibits was the six-fold byobu created by Taniguchi Aizan, titled 'Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter Landscape.' This art piece was beautifully complemented by the sacred flower used in the Gion Matsuri, called Hioōgi.

Guests were led into the main hall, which featured glassware and beer bottles from the early Showa era alongside vintage matchbooks collected by the Nagai family mapped over historic city blueprints. These engaging configurations allowed attendees to relive moments of the past, with several people drawn into nostalgic reflections upon encountering the elements of their youth.

Partnership and Legacy

The Nagai House is a living museum that preserves the merged existence of home and work prevalent throughout Kyoto's machiya-style residences. As a designated cultural heritage site, it contains six structures, including main houses and storage buildings.

Since May 2015, Hoojiers Holdings has owned the land and buildings while Ritsumeikan University oversees the valuable collections within. The two entities have established a collaborative memorandum to jointly maintain the property, ensuring the continuous celebration of Kyoto's culture through initiatives like the Byobu Matsuri. Moreover, Ritsumeikan University allows its literature students to participate actively in the planning and execution of the event, fostering a rich learning experience.

Conclusion

As we reflect on ten years of this collaboration between Hoojiers Holdings and Ritsumeikan University, we proudly participate in the preservation of our shared cultural history. The lasting impact of events such as the Byobu Matsuri retains a vital part in sustaining the historical and cultural framework of our community.

For more information about the Nagai House and its historical significance, visit Nagai House Official Website.