Image: Ōta Memorial Museum of Art, Tokyo
The exhibition ‘鏑木清方の文学愛 ―"推し"に捧げる挿絵の世界―’ runs from 2 September to 18 October 2026.
This year marks 130 years since Higuchi Ichiyō’s death. The exhibition includes works based on writings by Ichiyō and her ally Izumi Kyōka, along with woodblock frontispieces and book bindings.
Kiyokata Kaburaki grew up familiar with literature and began his career as an illustrator at 16, drawing illustrations for a newspaper serial novel.
In ‘The Grave of Lady Ichiyō,’ Kiyokata depicted Midori, the protagonist of Ichiyō’s ‘Takekurabe,’ expressing his feelings for both Ichiyō and the character; he later created ‘Nigorie,’ depicting scenes from the story alongside its text.
Kiyokata first met Kyōka in 1901 and, the following January, created the frontispiece and binding for Kyōka’s book ‘Sanmaizuki,’ fulfilling a long-held ambition.
Afterward, Kiyokata continued depicting Kyōka’s stories, including ‘Kōya Hijiri’ and ‘Chūmonchō,’ while deepening their friendship in both professional and private life.
