Gallery Sumire is proud to present ‘Tsukuyomi: Piercing the Shimmering Sea’, a Mitsuko Kuroki exhibition. Starting from 30 July 2026, art lovers will have the opportunity to bask in the ethereal glow of the moonlight and explore the mysteries of one of Japan’s most iconic deities, the Tsukuyomi. Be warned however, this exhibition is as fleeting as moonlight itself and in a few short nights it will conclude on 5 August 2026.
Mitsuko Kuroki Solo Exhibition: ‘Tsukuyomi: Piercing the Shimmering Sea’
Exhibition Dates: July 30 – August 5 2026
Venue: Artglorieux GALLERY OF TOKYO (GINZA SIX 5F)
Gallery Sumire
For more information on the exhibition including viewing and purchasing online please visit their website or email the gallery at info@gallerysumire.com
About Gallery Sumire
Founded in 2006, Gallery Sumire is an independent art gallery based in Tokyo, Japan who are focused on introducing and uplifting Japanese artists who embody the heart of Japanese tradition and history.
The gallery’s name stems from the Japanese word for violets (菫), a flower favoured by ancient Greece that represent honesty and a symbol of the rising Earth. The sumire has been a beloved flower in Japan since the Manyo era, and it is a flower that often appears in waka and haiku. This profound flower has a gentle bloom and a captivating beauty that evokes the aesthetic sense of the Japanese people. Its ability to bloom from the gaps in cobblestone pavements conveys the spirit of Westerners, creating a common sense of ”beauty” that transcends time and culture. Gallery Sumire reflects this timeless beauty and cross pollination between Eastern and Western cultures.
Gallery Sumire has helped to introduce fresco painting to Japan, which is a classic Italian technique that has been passed down through the generations. Moving forward into the future, the gallery hopes to continue to disseminate to not only Japan but also globally showcasing Japanese traditions and helping to shape the future of Japanese culture.
‘Tsukuyomi: Piercing the Shimmering Sea‘
This exhibition is inspired by Tsukuyomi, the mysterious moon deity of Japanese mythology, and imagines the realm of night over which the deity reigns.
Although Tsukuyomi is one of Japan’s most important mythological figures, very little is known about the deity’s appearance or story. This mystery became the starting point for my imagination. Through these paintings, I portray Tsukuyomi as a quiet witness to the endless cycle of life, death, and renewal.
The exhibition title refers to Kinpekishu, an old Japanese expression describing the jewel-like blue light that appears on the sea at sunrise. Just as the moon changes with the light of the sun, these works reflect my wish to embrace the many different ways the world can be seen—and, in doing so, better understand myself.
These paintings are shaped by my reflections on life and death, my personal values, and a quiet sense of reverence. I hope viewers will experience this exhibition as though stepping into a dream illuminated by moonlight.
— Mitsuko Kuroki
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