Artist name: Manju
Born in Gifu.
Studied economics at university. At the age of 40, started learning Yokyoku, vocal singing (libretto) of Noh plays, and became acquainted with Japanese classical literature mainly written in the Heian period.Created artworks featuring Ise Monogatari (The Tale of Ise), Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji) and Heike Monogatari (The Tale of Heike) in her unique way.
1996
Inspired by Yokyoku, started to create her own distinctive art.
April 1997
Held her first personal exhibition in Nagoya.
Received favorable reviews from the media, including television and newspapers.
2007
Started a joint exhibition named Japanesque.
2012
Began focusing on The Tale of Genji and concentrating on depicting Genji’s world.
Created more than 150 artworks (as of 2014).
Exhibitions
Personal exhibitions
| April 1997 | “Protagonists in Yokyoku” In celebration of the grand opening of the Nagoya Noh Theater |
| April 1997 | “Protagonists in Yokyoku Vol. 2” Hearing their whisper across time and space |
| June 1998 | “Protagonists in Yokyoku Vol. 3” Minazukibarai(水無月祓) |
| October 1998 | “Protagonists in Yokyoku Vol. 4” 20 artworks Memorial exhibition |
| May 1999 | “Protagonists in Yokyoku Vol. 5” 50 artworks A dream or a vision |
| July 1999 | At Tu Shan Xiang’s pipa concert “Protagonists in Yokyoku” 10 artworks In celebration of the concert |
| March 2000 | “Protagonists in Yokyoku Vol. 6” A moment of time in a spring evening 26 artworks exhibited |
| September 2001 | “Protagonists in Yokyoku Vol. 7” Autumn moon 28 artworks exhibited |
| October 2002 | “Protagonists in Yokyoku Vol. 8” Selected 35 artworks exhibited in celebration of 100 artworks completion. From the works based on the world of The Tale of Ise, The Tale of Genji, and The Tale of Genji |
| April 2006 | Depicting the world of Yokyoku Love songs in the Middle Ages 25 artworks exhibited |
Joint exhibitions
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November 2003 |
Three artists’ joint exhibition “Japanese classical literature in the modern society” In preparation for the exhibition in Beijing |
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April 2004 |
Exhibition of artwork and calligraphy by Kimiko Moi and Shigeko Yasuda 現代日本芸術的古典世界 |
| May 2007 | Depicting the world of Japanese classical literature Love songs in the Middle Ages II Group Exhibition by Mange-e At Art space of Aichi Arts Center |
| October 2007 | Japanesque 2007 “Traces of brushstrokes” Exhibition by two artists At Denki Bunka Kaikan Gallery of Chubu Electric Power Co. |
| March 2009 | Japanesque 2009 Millennium of The Tale of Genji in Nagoya Exhibition by three artists At Higashisakura Hall Gallery of Chubu Electric Power Co. |
| October 2009 | Japanesque 2009 Artworks depicting characters in classical literature “Miyabi & Hinabi” Exhibition by four artists As a partnership project of Aichi Triennale At Higashisakura Hall Gallery of Chubu Electric Power Co. |
| October 2010 | Japanesque 2010 Artworks depicting characters in classical literature “Monono-aware” Exhibition by four artists As a partnership project of Aichi Triennale At Higashisakura Hall Gallery of Chubu Electric Power Co. |
| December 2010 | Japanesque 2011 Happily celebrating a New Year Exhibition by four artists At Hotel Seapalace Resort in Toyohashi |
| July 2011 | Japanesque 2011 Thousand prayers (Benefit exhibition for the Great East Japan Earthquake） At Hotel Seapalace Resort in Toyohashi |
| August 2012 | Japanesque 2012 Transience of time Exhibition by four artists At Aichi Arts Center Museum Gallery |
| November 2013 | Japanesque 2013 YuYuYu - playful mind of three artists Exhibition by three artists At Art Space A1 |
