The Marubeni Gallery () is a public art museum located on the third floor of the Marubeni Corporation's Tokyo head office in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. Opened on November 1, 2021, the gallery exhibits a wide range of works from the company's collection, including Japanese textiles, historical garments, and both Japanese and Western paintings. Its core mission is to explore the interplay between Eastern and Western aesthetics across different periods.

History

Marubeni's origins date back to 1858, when Chubei Itoh began linen trading in what is now Shiga Prefecture. In 1925, its predecessor, Marubeni Shoten, established the Meihin-kai (名品会), or Society of Textile Masterpieces, to collect and research antique textiles. These efforts supported the development of original kimono designs rooted in traditional Japanese aesthetics.

Concept

The concept behind the gallery is "a space where the aesthetics of the East and West in ancient and modern times resonate with each other." This reflects Marubeni's transformation from a kimono wholesaler into a diversified global trading firm, while maintaining a strong cultural commitment.

Collection

The gallery features over 400 works and artifacts collected and managed by Marubeni over the course of a century, categorized primarily into the following three areas: * Textiles: Including Noh costumes, kosode, uchikake, and other garments dating from the Edo period and earlier. * Textile Design Drawings: Original painted designs used for kimono production. Many were created as part of the Meihin-kai project. * Paintings: ** Japanese paintings: Works by Nihonga painters such as Inshō Dōmoto, Shinsui Itō, and members of art groups like Kusano-ha kai and Akane kai. ** Western paintings: Acquired during Marubeni’s participation in the international art market in the 1960s and 1970s. The Marubeni collection includes 435 textiles, of which 66 are Noh costumes.

Notable exhibitions

The gallery organizes seasonal exhibitions that showcase both permanent collection items and special collaborative works. * "Beauty in Formality: Exploring the Marubeni Collection’s Noh Robes" (September 25 – October 26, 2024): Focused on the craftsmanship and cultural symbolism of Noh costumes. * "Wafrica: In Search of a Third Aesthetic" (May 8 – June 8, 2024): Featuring Serge Mouangue’s innovative kimonos made with African textiles and Japanese lacquered masks. * "Yawatagaki Mutsuko’s Quilt Art: The Metamorphosis of Antique Fabrics" (November 26 – December 21, 2024): Showcased quilt art made from repurposed kimono fabrics. * "Special Exhibition — Botticelli: La Bella Simonetta" (March 18 – May 24, 2025): Displayed a rare Botticelli tempera painting, the only one of its kind in Japan, part of the Marubeni Collection.

Publications

The Marubeni Gallery regularly publishes books about its special exhibitions.{{cite book , title=Beauty in Formality: Exploring the Marubeni Collection's Noh Robes , date=2024 , publisher=Marubeni Gallery

References

External links

Marubeni Gallery Official Website

Marubeni Gallery on Google Arts & Culture
Art museums and galleries in Tokyo Museums established in 2021 2021 establishments in Japan Buildings and structures in Chiyoda, Tokyo