Takashi Murakami Paints Kyoto with a Kawaii Twist

Takashi Murakami b. 1962, Japan Follow +

London gets a dose of Takashi Murakami‘s magic, with the Japanese artist’s kawaii characters taking over Gagosian‘s Grosvenor Hill gallery.

Japanese Art History à la Takashi Murakami (10 December 2024–8 March 2025) features new acrylic-on-canvas works modelled on Japanese historical masterpieces, with Murakami’s signature cartoon mascots making appearances throughout.

Don’t miss Rakuchū-Rakugai-zu Byōbu: Iwasa Matabei RIP (2023–24), Murakami’s take on Iwasa Matabei’s 17th-century masterpiece Rakuchū-Rakugai-zu Byōbu (Scenes in and around Kyoto). The 13-metre canvas shows off a detailed bird’s-eye view of Kyoto, depicting daily life in the Edo period with vignettes of kimono-clad women strolling, tradesmen leading farm animals laden with goods, and temple-goers.

Murakami adds his touch with characters including his happy flowers and mischievous alter ego Mr DOB, dotted throughout these scenes like a kawaii-infused Where’s Wally. Some figures are supersized, looming over the action, while others like Kaikai and Kiki—a bunny and bear-eared duo—watch the world go by from a riverbank, dwarfed by the townspeople.

Speaking to Ocula on this work earlier this year, Murakami described it as ‘a work in which I deciphered Matabei’s unique spatiality and added my own twist. I conducted thorough research on the details of the people and the cityscape and created the work with a team of about 100 people.’

The exhibition follows the announcement of the artist’s renewed collaboration with Louis Vuitton. To celebrate the reissue of its collection with Murakami, the luxury brand has brought the sculpture, Flower Parent and Child (2020), from Kyoto to Paris, where it is currently on view outside Fondation Louis Vuitton. —[O]