Enter an artistic space!
YOKOHAMA ART SPOT FILE
Experience the sea, ships, and the works of an author who loved Yokohama
Ryohei Yanagihara Art Museum
The Yanagihara Ryohei Art Museum opened on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, inside the Yokohama Port Museum, where the sailing ship Nippon Maru, a symbol of Minato Mirai, is preserved and open to the public. It is the only museum in Japan with a permanent exhibition of the works of illustrator and painter Yanagihara Ryohei (1931-2015), who created Uncle Torys, the popular mascot character for Suntory's Torys Whisky, a representative Showa era product. The decision to open the museum in this location, where Yanagihara was friends with him, was based on the desire of his family to make the 4,848 pieces of art he donated to Yokohama City in 2016 "available for many people to enjoy."
The Nippon Maru sailing ship is moored right in front of the museum. Incidentally, the "Full Sails Display" event, in which all sails are unfurled to show the Nippon Maru how it looked when it was in active service, is also regularly held here, and is well worth seeing! (For details on the event schedule, click here !)
Now let's head to the Yanagihara Ryohei Art Museum.
From the entrance to the permanent exhibition room, you can see the Yokohama Port Museum! It's a good deal to purchase a combined ticket that allows you to visit the Nippon Maru, Yokohama Port Museum, and Yanagihara Ryohei Art Museum.
[Single-theater ticket] Adults ¥400, 65 years and older ¥250, elementary, junior high, and high school students ¥200 [Combined ticket] Adults ¥600, 65 years and older ¥400, elementary, junior high, and high school students ¥300 (Only elementary, junior high, and high school students have a special price on Saturdays, both single-theater and combined tickets are ¥100)
The exhibition room is divided into four themes: "Ryo. and Ship Paintings," "Illustration and Design," "Uncle Tris and Advertising," and "Feature Exhibition."
"Ryo. and Ship Paintings" zone. "Ryo." is the signature that Yanagihara wrote on his works. The exhibition mainly features paper cuttings, an original production method of cutting and pasting colored paper, as well as ship paintings created in oil paintings, watercolors, lithographs, etc.
There is also an exhibition where Yanagihara's studio is recreated so that he can be surrounded by his children (works of art).
"Illustration and Design" Zone. Here you can learn about the diverse activities of illustrators and graphic designers, including graphic design, illustrations, animation, manga, bookbinding, and picture books.
These are the things that Yanagihara loved to wear. Jackets, turtleneck sweaters, hats... they're so stylish. Other items like cameras and glasses... just like his artwork, I couldn't help but stare at them.
The animation of Uncle Tris is also wonderful!! (If I could be greedy, I'd like to watch it while drinking alcohol...♡)
This is an exhibition on "How to make monochromatic paper cuttings." Paper cuttings used for monochrome printing such as newspapers and magazines are made using black, dark gray (actually moss green) and light gray (actually a dull light yellow-green) paper. Three sheets are stacked together, a rough sketch is made with a pencil, and then cut out with a single-edged razor... Come to the venue and read the captions to find out the secrets.
The "Uncle Tris and the Advertising Zone" showcases his work from his time in the advertising department of Kotobukiya (now Suntory), which marked the beginning of his career as an illustrator and graphic designer, and features Uncle Tris' advertising copybook, illustrations, posters, and novelties.
(Dads from the Showa era! Doesn't this ad bring back memories?)
The "Special Exhibition" zone held on the day of the interview was titled "60 Years of Uncle Tris" and featured illustrations and novelties to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the birth of "Uncle Tris" in July 2018. Currently, "Ships and Ports of Yokohama" is being held instead.
Uncle Triss toothpick holder (1970s)…I want it!!
Leaving the impressive exhibition room behind, we headed to the Museum Shop, which is a fun place to visit after appreciating the art. Uncle Tris greeted us with a flag. As soon as we entered, we found the newly opened Ryohei Yanagihara goods corner.
There will be a wide selection of items, including lithographs, original frame stamp sets, postcards, mobile cleaners, mugs, picture books, and more, all based on Yanagihara's work!
To commemorate your visit to the museum, buying a postcard is a must!
Ryohei Museum postcards: 108 yen each (tax included)
Here are some that caught my eye. These are pin badges of Uncle Tris dressed as various characters. There are sailor, Shinsengumi, Daikoku, and even a western Uncle Tris! (lol)
Pin badges ¥648 each (tax included)
The works of Ryohei Yanagihara, who loved ships, are displayed in a place where the ships are moored right in front of him... I felt that it was a really smart idea while looking at each piece. If you visit Minato Mirai, walk towards the sailing ship Nippon Maru. There, you will find the cute, stylish and very cool "Uncle Tris" waiting for you.
