The Kannon Museum, located within the grounds of Hase-dera in Kamakura, is holding its 2026 autumn exhibition, "Kannon Pilgrimage with Otake Goyo: Touring the Kamakura 33 Sacred Sites in the Colors of the Shinsui School," from August 29 (Saturday) to December 6 (Sunday), 2026. The exhibition brings together all 33 paintings from the Kamakura 33 Kannon Pilgrimage Sites series by Nihonga painter Otake Goyo, who studied under bijin-ga (beautiful-woman painting) master Ito Shinsui, while also introducing the history and enduring appeal of the Kamakura 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
Goyo is a direct heir to the Genyadana school of Nihonga painting, which traces its lineage back to the Edo-period ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi, and he trained as a formal live-in disciple under Ito Shinsui, the modern master of bijin-ga. His skilled brushwork and the fresh, refined color sense characteristic of the Shinsui school are highly regarded in the contemporary Nihonga art world.
The series on display was created after Goyo personally and devotedly walked the Kamakura 33 Kannon Pilgrimage Sites — the living centers of faith rooted in Kamakura — painting the main hall of each temple with warm, expressive brushwork.
The exhibition also features works by Goyo's son, Otake Masayoshi, who carries on his father's tradition while boldly pursuing new approaches to Nihonga painting. The interplay between tradition and innovation across the two generations is another highlight of the exhibition.
The Kamakura 33 Kannon Pilgrimage is a historic pilgrimage route that begins at Sugimoto-dera, the first sacred site, and continues through 33 Kannon temples scattered across Kamakura, including Hase-dera, the fourth site. After viewing Goyo's paintings of each temple, visitors may want to walk the actual route through Kamakura themselves — comparing the scenes depicted in the paintings with the temples as they stand today adds an extra layer of depth to a stroll through the city.
Exhibition-Related Content
Gallery Talk
Otake Masayoshi (exhibiting artist and son of Otake Goyo) will give an artwork commentary event, sharing episodes about Otake Goyo and Ito Shinsui while exploring the appeal of the works.
Date & Time: September 19 (Saturday) and November 21 (Saturday), both starting at 2:00 PM
Location: Kannon Museum, 2nd floor special exhibition room
*Hase-dera temple grounds admission and Kannon Museum admission required
Kannon Pilgrimage Guide
The museum also features a digital touch panel covering the Bando and Kamakura 33 Kannon pilgrimage routes. It includes a pilgrimage map showing the full route, along with information and highlights for each temple. With intuitive controls, visitors interested in the pilgrimage — or anyone wanting to deepen their knowledge alongside the exhibition — can enjoyably explore the world of Kannon pilgrimage.
Hase-dera Events During the Exhibition Period
- September 18: Kannon-e Buddhist service, starting at 10:00 AM, Hase-dera Kannon-do Hall
- September 26: Daikokuten Festival Day, starting at 10:00 AM, Hase-dera Daikoku-do Hall
- October 2 to 4: Hase-dera NIGHT TABLE
- October 18: Kannon-e Buddhist service, starting at 10:00 AM, Hase-dera Kannon-do Hall
- November 18: Kannon-e Buddhist service (Sutra Copying Purification Ceremony), starting at 10:00 AM, Hase-dera Kannon-do Hall and Sutra Repository
- Late November to early December: Autumn foliage illumination
For details, please check the official website of Hase-dera, Kamakura.
Exhibition Overview
Exhibition: 2026 Autumn Exhibition — "Kannon Pilgrimage with Otake Goyo: Touring the Kamakura 33 Sacred Sites in the Colors of the Shinsui School"
Organizer: Kannon Museum Special Exhibition Executive Committee
Supported by: Kamakura City Board of Education / Kamakura Tourist Association (public interest incorporated association)
Dates: August 29 (Saturday) to December 6 (Sunday), 2026
(Closed: October 19 (Monday) to 21 (Wednesday))
Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (last admission 4:00 PM)
Admission: Adults ¥500 / Elementary school students ¥200 (separate Hase-dera temple grounds admission: Adults ¥400 / Elementary school students ¥200)
Venue: Kannon Museum, 2nd floor special exhibition room
Access: 10-minute walk from Hase Station on the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden)
Address: 3-11-2 Hase, Kamakura, Kanagawa
Official Website: Kannon Museum
