Visitors to Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo can now find a special edition of LITTLE MOTHERHOUSE's "Irodori Chocolate" at "Store 1894," the museum's adjoining shop. The limited exhibition packaging was created to commemorate the ongoing exhibition "From Kiyochika to Hasui: Ukiyo-e and Shin-Hanga Woodblock Prints from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art."
Shin-Hanga and Irodori Chocolate: A Resonance of Aesthetics
"Shin-hanga" (new prints) was an art movement that flourished from the late Meiji era through the Showa period, blending traditional ukiyo-e techniques with the realism of Western painting. The genre gained strong popularity both in Japan and abroad for its nuanced depictions of light, shadow, and atmosphere.
The visual language of shin-hanga — capturing the shifting moods of Japan's four seasons — resonates with the world of "Irodori Chocolate," which expresses seasonal transitions through gradations of color. Seven flavors were carefully selected for this special exhibition packaging.
Seven Flavors Chosen from a Lineup of Twelve
"Irodori Chocolate" is crafted one piece at a time using only naturally derived ingredients on a white chocolate base. From a full lineup of twelve varieties — each with its own distinct color and flavor — seven have been selected to match the themes of this exhibition.
Product Name: Irodori Chocolate
Price: ¥1,500 (excluding tax)
Available in seven flavors:
- Ouka (Matcha and Raspberry)
- Shunka (Strawberry and Passion Fruit)
- Ajisai (Lemon and Blueberry)
- Yugure (Cassis and Black Tea)
- Hakugin (Raspberry and Mascarpone)
- Yokaze (Black Pepper and Yuzu)
- Yukiakane (Cranberry and Camembert)
Exhibition Details
"From Kiyochika to Hasui: Ukiyo-e and Shin-Hanga Woodblock Prints from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art"
- Period: February 19, 2026 (Thu) – May 24, 2026 (Sun)
- Venue: Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo
- Organized by: Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Tokyo; Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art; The Asahi Shimbun
- Supported by: Embassy of the United States
The exhibition traces the evolution of shin-hanga, a genre that flourished from the late Meiji era through the Showa period by merging ukiyo-e traditions with modern realism. Highlights include masterworks from the world-renowned Muller Collection at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art, featuring landscapes by Kobayashi Kiyochika, Yoshida Hiroshi, and Kawase Hasui. The show offers an immersive look at "twilight" (hazy light) in Japanese art — sensitively rendered scenes of shifting light, shadow, and the emotionally resonant landscapes of Japan.
Official website: https://mimt.jp/ex_sp/shin-hanga/
