Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts (Tennoji-ku, Osaka; Director: Naito Sakae / 内藤栄) is opening Japan's first large-scale exhibition of masterworks from the Ming-dynasty calligraphy and painting collection of the He Chuangshi Calligraphy Art Foundation in Taipei. The Dynamic Calligraphy of the Ming Dynasty: Masterpieces from the He Chuangshi Collection, Taipei runs from October 9 (Fri) to December 20 (Sun), 2026.
Ahead of the opening, the museum has finalized details of the exhibition's official catalog, original goods, and related events. Here's an overview of what's in store.
Official Exhibition Catalog
A Must-Have for Calligraphers and Enthusiasts, Capturing the Breath of Every Brushstroke
The exhibition's official catalog is a keepsake volume featuring rare works, including pieces shown in Japan for the first time. Alongside color plates of every exhibited work, it includes numerous enlarged details that bring out each piece's appeal, letting readers linger over the calligraphers' skillful brushwork, shifts in ink tone, and the subtleties of their compositions. Printed in the large B4 format, the catalog captures fine details that are easy to miss in the gallery, making it both a valuable research resource for calligraphy students and enthusiasts and an accessible introduction for newcomers to the art form.
Another highlight is the striking cover design, featuring one of the exhibition's most powerful works. Beyond serving as a memento of the visit, it lets readers revisit the world of Dynamic Calligraphy of the Ming Dynasty again and again at home — a catalog worth keeping for years to come.
- Format: B4 size, 256 pages
- Price: ¥4,000 (tax included)
- Where to buy: The exhibition's special shop at the venue, and Mainichi Shobo, an online store run by Mainichi Shimbun
Original Goods (Selection)
Available at the exhibition's special shop at the venue. Some items are also planned to be sold as set products through Mainichi Shobo.
Tote Bag — ¥1,650 (tax included)
- Size: Approx. 42 cm wide x 38 cm tall x 13 cm gusset
This tote bag features Fu Shan's Cursive Script: Wild Calligraphy Written After Getting Drunk (草書酔後浪書) printed on both front and back. Its wide gusset comfortably fits the official catalog along with other goods, making it a practical item for everyday use as well.
Sacoche Bag — ¥1,320 (tax included)
- Size: Approx. 18 cm tall x 16 cm wide
This sacoche bag is illustrated with the black cat "黒児" depicted in Song Jue's Clerical Script: Portrait Eulogy for the Black Cat (隷書黒児像賛). Set against a sleek black background, the gold illustration lets wearers bring the work's charm into daily life. The bag has two pockets, one with a zipper, making it a handy companion for quick outings when traveling light. Enjoy a day at the museum or around town together with "黒児."
A pen is not included.
Acrylic Keychains — ¥1,100 each (tax included)
Two acrylic keychains bring to life the black cat from Song Jue's Clerical Script: Portrait Eulogy for the Black Cat (隷書黒児像賛) and the bird (a francolin) from Xu Fang's Painting of a Francolin (鷓鴣図). Die-cut to follow the shape of the original artwork, they sway gently when attached to a bag or pouch, as if the motifs had stepped right out of the paintings. Two of the collection's most endearing motifs, now easy to carry with you every day.
Tenugui Hand Towels — ¥1,320 each (tax included)
- Size: 90 cm x 35 cm, single-color silk-screen print
Two tenugui designs are available: one printed with the full composition of Fu Shan's Cursive Script: Wild Calligraphy Written After Getting Drunk (草書酔後浪書), and another scattered with illustrations of the black cat "黒児" from Song Jue's Clerical Script: Portrait Eulogy for the Black Cat (隷書黒児像賛). One captures the bold, dynamic brushwork that gives the cursive-script piece its energy; the other, the endearing figure of a cat cherished for the bittersweet story behind it. Each design draws out the character of its source work in a piece meant for everyday use — as a hand towel, or simply displayed and admired.
Related Event
Live Calligraphy Demonstration (Sekijo Kigokai)
On November 21 (Sat) and 22 (Sun), calligraphers from the Mainichi Shodokai will give live brush demonstrations in a "Sekijo Kigokai" (on-the-spot calligraphy performance). The demonstrations are open to anyone presenting the same-day exhibition ticket — a chance to watch masterful brushwork unfold in person.
November 21 (Sat), 2026
- Session 1: 1:00–1:40 PM (planned; doors open 12:15 PM, planned)
- 森本子星 (Mainichi Shodo Exhibition Judging Committee Member, 北辰書道会)
- 藤野北辰 (Mainichi Shodokai Councilor, 八玄青鏡会)
- Session 2: 3:00–4:00 PM (planned; doors open 2:15 PM, planned)
- 久保田心耀 (Mainichi Shodo Exhibition Judging Committee Member, 尋牛会)
- 神田浩山 (Mainichi Shodokai Council Member, 滋賀書研)
- 岡本正志 (Mainichi Shodokai Council Member, 奎星会)
November 22 (Sun), 2026
- Session 1: 1:00–1:40 PM (planned; doors open 12:15 PM, planned)
- 西野桃笠 (Mainichi Shodo Exhibition Judging Committee Member, 創玄書道会)
- 柳谷金平 (Mainichi Shodo Exhibition Judging Committee Member, 独立書人団)
- Session 2: 3:00–3:40 PM (planned; doors open 2:15 PM, planned)
- 小林琴水 (Mainichi Shodokai Councilor, 書道芸術院)
- 北野攝山 (Mainichi Shodokai Director, 書団響)
MC, both days: 寺田白雲 (Mainichi Shodo Exhibition Judging Committee Member, 書団響)
- Venue: Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, 2nd floor south gallery
- Admission: Free
- Presentation of the same-day exhibition ticket is required.
- No reservations; numbered tickets are distributed at the demonstration hall entrance starting 45 minutes before each session.
- Each session has a full changeover of the audience.
- Entry may be limited depending on how crowded the venue gets.
Other Highlights
Weekday-Only Giveaway
During weekdays in October, the museum is giving away an original black-cat sticker (not for sale) to the first 100 visitors each day. Perfect for a phone case or planner, it's an endearing design that's hard to resist carrying around.
The sticker is modeled on the black cat "黒児" from Song Jue's Clerical Script: Portrait Eulogy for the Black Cat (隷書黒児像賛), featuring a special design created for this exhibition in tribute to the touching story of a cat devoted to its owner.
"Character of the Day" on Social Media
Every day throughout the exhibition period, the museum's exhibition staff will pick a "Character of the Day" from the works on display and post it on Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts' official X (formerly Twitter) account, @ocmfa_since1936. Following along offers a new way to enjoy calligraphy — matching a character to the day's mood, or hunting for a personal favorite.
Exhibition Overview
- Name: Special Exhibition "The Dynamic Calligraphy of the Ming Dynasty: Masterpieces from the He Chuangshi Collection, Taipei"
- Venue: Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, 1-82 Chausuyama-cho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka 543-0063
- Dates: October 9 (Fri) to December 20 (Sun), 2026
- Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM (last admission 4:30 PM)
- Closed: Mondays (except October 12 and November 23), and October 13, November 24
- Organizers: Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, Mainichi Shimbun, NHK Enterprises Kinki
- Special Cooperation: He Chuangshi Calligraphy Art Foundation, Taipei
- Support: Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau
- Inquiries: Osaka City General Call Center "Naniwa Call," 06-4301-7285 (open year-round, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
- Official Website: https://www.osaka-art-museum.jp/special_exhibition/mindai
Admission (tax included)
| General | High School / College Students | Elementary / Junior High Students | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same-day | ¥2,000 | ¥1,200 | ¥500 |
| Advance / Group | ¥1,800 | ¥1,000 | ¥300 |
Advance Pair Discount Ticket (2 General admissions): ¥3,400, sold through the official online ticket platform (etix) and Seven Ticket
Group rates apply to parties of 20 or more.
Advance tickets and the pair discount ticket are on sale from 10:00 AM on August 6 (Thu) through 11:59 PM on October 8 (Thu), 2026.
There will be no rotation of works during the exhibition period.
Exhibition tickets also grant same-day admission to the museum's feature exhibition.
Preschool children are admitted free.
Visitors with a disability certificate and one accompanying caregiver are admitted free (proof required). Only disability certificates issued under Japanese law are accepted.
Osaka City residents age 65 and older are also charged the general admission rate.
Ticket Sales: Official Online Ticket (etix), Asoview!, ART PASS, Seven Ticket, Lawson Ticket (L code: 52237), Ticket Pia (P code: 687-479), eplus, CN Playguide
A handling fee may apply when purchasing tickets.
