Shigeru Mizuki, a renowned master of Japanese manga known for singular works such as “GeGeGe no Kitaro,” was captivated by the “Scenes of Hell and Paradise” housed at Shofuku-ji Temple, which he saw during his childhood in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture. This encounter sparked his belief in the invisible world and motivated him to create works about mysterious realms throughout his life.
During World War Two, Mizuki was drafted and sent to the island of New Britain, Papua New Guinea, where he sustained a serious injury in a fierce battle in Rabaul that nearly took his life and resulted in the loss of his left arm. After surviving the war and overcoming extreme poverty, he arrived at his unique manga style. This exhibition is Mizuki’s first major retrospective in Kyushu, showing his creative career through manga manuscripts, original drawings, favorite tools, and various archival footage. It has toured nationwide from 2017 across nine locations, leaving a strong impression on people of all ages.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Mizuki’s passing and the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. How might Mizuki’s wondrous world, shaped by his curiosity, insight, and detailed artistry, inspire us in the modern age? We invite you to visit the exhibition and experience it.
【Sponsors】
Kagoshima Prefecture Cultural Foundation / Minami-Nippon Shimbun / Kagoshima Television Station Co., Ltd. / Minaminihon Broadcasting Company Co., Ltd.
【Co-sponsors】
NHK Kagoshima Broadcasting Station/ NHK Enterprises Inc, Kyushu
【In cooperation with】
Yūsui Township / Kirishima-sanroku Yūsui Town Tourism Association / Kagoshima Daiichi Kotsu / Ankusu Corporation
【Special Sponsorship】
TOYOTA COROLLA KAGOSHIMA
【Planning Support】
Mizuki Productions
【Production Support】
NHK Promotins Inc.
【Program】
- Opening ceremony & gallery talk by Naoko Haraguchi (eldest daughter of Shigeru Mizuki): Thursday, July 10, 14:00 –
- Special gallery talk by Naoko Haraguchi: Sunday, August 31, 14:00 –
- Gallery talk by the museum’s curator: Sundays, July 20, August 10, September 14, 14:00 –
*Details of the events will be posted on this website as soon as fixed.
【Images】
“Kitaro of the Graveyard, The Birth of Kitaro” 1966
“GeGeGe no Kitaro” 1985
“Onward Towards Our Noble Deaths: Requiem for Cape St. George” 1989
“Kurabokko (Child of the Warehouse)”
“No Title” 2009
Information
- Venue
- Kirishima Open-Air Museum Art Hall
- Holding period
- 2025/07/10 〜 2025/09/23
*Closed on Mondays. (except when Monday is a national holiday, in which case the museum is closed on Tuesday. Please note that the museum will open on 7/14, 8/12, 9/22.)
- Viewing time
- 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (open until 7:00 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and National Holidays from 7/20 to 8/31. Last entry 30minutes before closing.)
- Admission fee
- General : ¥1,200 (¥1,000)／College and high school students: ¥800 (¥600)／Middle and primary school students: ¥600 (¥400) *Fees in parentheses are for advance-sale tickets and/or groups of 20 or more
ARTIST
- Shigeru Mizuki (Birth name: Shigeru Mura)
- Born in 1922 and grew up in Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture. He was a renowned manga artist and researcher of yokai (supernatural beings in Japanese folklore). During World War II, he was sent to fight in the fierce battleground of Rabaul (New Britain Island), where he lost his left arm. After returning to Japan, he worked as a picture story show writer before establishing himself as a manga artist. In 1965, he won the Kodansha Children's Manga Award for “Terebi-kun,” which catapulted him to fame. Notable works include “GeGeGe no Kitaro,” “Kappa no Sanpei,” and “Akuma-kun.” In 2003, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. In 2007, he won the Prize for Best Album at the Angoulême International Comics Festival for “NonNonBa.” In 2010, he was recognized as a Person of Cultural Merit. He won the Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia twice, in 2012 for “Onward Towards Our Noble Deaths” and in 2015 for “Showa: A History of Japan.” He died on November 30, 2015, at the age of 93.