Suntory Museum of Art Plans Four Exhibitions for Its 20th Anniversary in Roppongi in 2027, Showing the National Treasure “Choju Giga” for the First Time in 20 Years

The Suntory Museum of Art (Tokyo Midtown Galleria 3F, Roppongi, Tokyo) will hold four exhibitions in 2027 as its “Roppongi 20th Anniversary Exhibitions”: I. “KIRIKO” (March 10 – May 16), II. “The World of Shiba Kokan” (provisional title; June 23 – August 15), III. “Choju Giga” (provisional title; September 15 – October 24), and IV. “Living Room of the City: Relaxing with National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties” (provisional title; November 27 – January 10, 2028). It will be the first time in 20 years that the National Treasure “Choju Giga” has been shown at the museum, since the exhibition celebrating its opening in Roppongi in 2007.

Why 2027? From Marunouchi and Akasaka-mitsuke to Roppongi

The Suntory Museum of Art opened on November 20, 1961, on the 9th floor of the Palace Building in Marunouchi, Tokyo. In 1975 it moved to the 11th floor of the Tokyo Suntory Building in Akasaka-mitsuke, and on March 30, 2007, it relocated and reopened in Tokyo Midtown. 2027 marks the 20th anniversary of its opening in Roppongi.

According to the museum, by 2027, the year it marks 20 years since relocating to Roppongi, its holdings of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties will number 20 (one National Treasure and 19 Important Cultural Properties). The fourth anniversary exhibition will display all 20.

I. “KIRIKO”: Edo-period cut glass in light of the latest research

“KIRIKO,” from Wednesday, March 10 to Sunday, May 16, 2027, introduces kiriko, a hand-cut glass unique to Japan that emerged in the late Edo period. The museum says it will draw on the latest research to explore the technical brilliance of kiriko from the late Edo to the early Meiji period, as well as the situation in Kyoto and Osaka, in Edo, and in the Satsuma, Choshu and Saga domains, which succeeded in producing it.

The press images show works from the collection: “Large Cut Glass Dish, Satsuma Domain,” “Cut Glass Dish with Red Overlay, Satsuma Domain” and “Boat-Shaped Cut Glass Bowl with Blue Overlay, Satsuma Domain” (all Edo period, 19th century), as well as “Set of Three Cut Glass Sake Cups with Stand” and “Cut Glass Stationery Set” (late Edo to early Meiji period, 19th century). All are to be shown throughout the exhibition.

II. “The World of Shiba Kokan” and III. “Choju Giga”

II. “The World of Shiba Kokan” (provisional title), from Wednesday, June 23 to Sunday, August 15, 2027, focuses on Shiba Kokan (1747/48–1818). The museum introduces Kokan as the painter who produced Japan’s first successful etching in the mid-Edo period. He started out with ukiyo-e and bird-and-flower paintings in the Nanpin style, and after meeting figures such as Hiraga Gennai, he studied Western painting techniques. Through his major works, the exhibition traces a career that produced a wide range of works depicting Western customs and Japanese landscapes, from oil paintings to copperplate prints and ink paintings. The press image is “The Oyaji Teahouse at Hiroo” (1784 (Tenmei 4), Homma Museum of Art).

III. “Choju Giga” (provisional title), from Wednesday, September 15 to Sunday, October 24, 2027, shows the National Treasure “Choju Giga” (Frolicking Animals) at the museum for the first time in 20 years. It also introduces “Illustrated Biographies of the Founders of the Kegon Sect,” another National Treasure handscroll handed down at Kozanji, and traces the little-known history of how “Choju Giga” has been passed down. Works and displayed scenes will be changed during the exhibition. The press image is “Choju Giga,” Scroll A (detail, Heian period, 12th century, Kozanji, Kyoto).

IV. “Living Room of the City”: all 20 National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties on display

IV. “Living Room of the City: Relaxing with National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties” (provisional title), from Saturday, November 27, 2027 to Monday, January 10, 2028 (national holiday), closes the 20th anniversary year. All 20 National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties in the collection will be shown in various ways in the galleries. In a museum building conceived as a “living room” in the city, the museum will present not only cultural properties but also the beauty of music and of the views. The press image is the National Treasure “Cosmetic Box with Fusenryo Roundels in Maki-e and Mother-of-Pearl” (Kamakura period, 13th century). The museum hopes visitors will spend part of the year-end and New Year holidays in a museum showing a different side of itself.

Prices, and “The Art of the Lotus Sutra” before the anniversary exhibitions

Prices for the four exhibitions had not been announced as of October 20. Ahead of the anniversary exhibitions, the museum will hold “The Art of the Lotus Sutra: To Make Is to Pray” from Saturday, December 12, 2026 to Sunday, February 7, 2027. Other exhibitions in 2027 are listed in our 2027 exhibition schedule.

Editor’s perspective

The four exhibitions span different fields: kiriko glasswork, Shiba Kokan’s paintings, the handscrolls of Kozanji, and masterpieces from the collection. “Choju Giga” links this milestone year with the Roppongi opening exhibition 20 years ago, while the final exhibition, IV, presents masterpieces together with an architecture conceived as a “living room,” music and views, turning the focus onto the museum itself as a place.

Overview

Name: Suntory Museum of Art Roppongi 20th Anniversary Exhibitions (2027)
I: KIRIKO: Wednesday, March 10 – Sunday, May 16, 2027
II: The World of Shiba Kokan (provisional title): Wednesday, June 23 – Sunday, August 15, 2027
III: Choju Giga (provisional title): Wednesday, September 15 – Sunday, October 24, 2027
IV: Living Room of the City: Relaxing with National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties (provisional title): Saturday, November 27, 2027 – Monday, January 10, 2028 (national holiday)
Venue: Suntory Museum of Art
Address: Tokyo Midtown Galleria 3F, 9-7-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Admission: Not yet announced
Inquiries: 03-3479-8600
Official website: https://www.suntory.co.jp/sma/exhibition/future.html
*Information as of October 20, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information.

*Top image: The Suntory Museum of Art in Tokyo Midtown Galleria, October 2012 (Photo: Rs1421, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on information on the official website of the Suntory Museum of Art and its press material “Suntory Museum of Art 2027 Exhibitions” (as of October 20, 2026).

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team