Do you know Baba Noboru, the author of the picture book series "11 Hiki no Neko" (The Eleven Cats)?
Kurashiki Central Library membership cards and the mobile library "Family-go" are also wrapped with this design, so it may be one of the picture book characters familiar to Kurashiki City residents.
Behind their cute appearance lies a cunning teamwork that is the pride of the "11 Hiki no Neko" series. I heard that an exhibition of Baba Noboru's works, including this series, was touring to Kurashiki City Art Museum, so I went to cover the highlights.
This exhibition has been touring the country since 2021, but there are displays and goods that can only be seen at Kurashiki City Art Museum, so it's a must-see.
The information provided here is current as of the time of this article's publication in August 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is Kurashiki City Art Museum
Kurashiki City Art Museum is one of the facilities forming a cultural facility zone, located about a 10-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station toward Kurashiki City Office, and close to the Bikan Historical Area, alongside Kurashiki Central Library and Kurashiki Museum of Natural History.
Kurashiki City Art Museum, which repurposes the former Kurashiki City Office building, was designed by the architect Tange Kenzo. In 2020, it was registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property.
Inside the museum, collection exhibitions related to the local area and special exhibitions are held regularly. One of its distinctive features is that it hosts programs that support children's artistic activities, such as the "Kurashiki-kko Art Exhibition," in which all elementary and junior high schools in Kurashiki City participate in winter, and the "Kurashiki-kko Nakayoshi Works Exhibition," in which special needs schools and special needs classes within the city participate.
What is "The Complete Baba Noboru Exhibition: Drew, Made, Enjoyed, Nyago!"
"The Complete Baba Noboru Exhibition: Drew, Made, Enjoyed, Nyago!" is a special exhibition to be held at Kurashiki City Art Museum starting Friday, July 26, 2024. This year (2024) marks the milestone 145th anniversary of the founding of Sanyo Shimbun, so the exhibition is organized by the "Complete Baba Noboru Exhibition Executive Committee," established jointly by Sanyo Shimbun and Kurashiki City Art Museum, together with Kurashiki City.
This project is a touring exhibition that began at the Nerima Art Museum in Nerima Ward, Tokyo, where Baba Noboru had his studio, to mark the 20th anniversary of his death.
The exhibition is packed with content that adults can also enjoy, including the "11 Hiki no Neko" series, which is beloved across a wide range of ages from children to adults, as well as traces of his creative activities before his debut, and sketchbooks discovered after his death.
For more details, please check the image below.
Special Exhibition Related Events
"The Complete Baba Noboru Exhibition: Drew, Made, Enjoyed, Nyago!" is being held during the summer vacation period, and related events that both children and adults can enjoy are also planned.
Events that do not require advance registration are as follows.
Commemorative Lecture
On Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., a commemorative lecture titled "'11 Hiki no Neko' and Mr. Baba Noboru ~ Continuing to Seek Genuine Humor ~" will be held in the third-floor auditorium, featuring Sekiya Yuko, Baba Noboru's editor and former editor-in-chief of Koguma-sha.
Admission is free, with a capacity of 200 people (first-come, first-served on the day).
The Eleven Cats are coming from Sannohe Town, Aomori Prefecture!
On Saturday, August 3 and Saturday, August 17, 2024, the Eleven Cats will come from Sannohe-machi, Aomori Prefecture. This is also free of charge (50 people per session), and photography is permitted. The schedule is as follows.
- From 10:30 a.m.
- From 1:30 p.m.
- From 3:30 p.m.
- One photo per group may be taken with your own camera
- Sessions may be cancelled due to weather or other reasons
- Numbered tickets will be distributed in the 1st floor entrance hall 30 minutes before each session
Picture book reading
On Sunday, August 4, Sunday, August 18, and Sunday, August 25, 2024, librarians from Kurashiki Central Library will give readings of Baba Noboru's picture books in the 1st floor entrance hall.
The time is from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Giant coloring picture
A "Picture Scroll Ehon: 11 Hiki no Neko Marathon Race" will be set up in the venue. This giant coloring picture is said to have been a popular program in past special exhibitions held at Kurashiki City Art Museum.
This special exhibition is a large display spanning the 1st and 2nd floors of Kurashiki City Art Museum. It seems like a feature that could also serve as a refreshing change of pace for children who get tired partway through.
Special exhibition exclusive goods
One of the appeals of the "11 Hiki no Neko" series is its cute merchandise. I myself am a big fan, having collected 11 Hiki no Neko tableware and cutlery at home.
You can find goods from the "11 Hiki no Neko" series in picture book sections of bookstores and online shops, but this time you can see and touch the actual items and purchase them at the goods counter.
In addition, original Kurashiki City Art Museum goods including denim bags will also be sold. These are collaboration goods with Betty Smith, a denim brand from the Kojima area of Kurashiki City.
Both the tote bags and lunch bags have a simple design, so they should come in handy in everyday life.
Staff Interview
I spoke with Onoue Mayu of Kurashiki City Art Museum about how to enjoy "The Complete Baba Noboru Exhibition: Drew, Made, Enjoyed, Nyago!"
The opening of "The Complete Baba Noboru Exhibition: Drew, Made, Enjoyed, Nyago!" is finally approaching, isn't it?
Onoue (titles omitted)
This time, in addition to the famous "11 Hiki no Neko" series, we also plan to exhibit works and sketchbooks from Mr. Baba's childhood.
The sketchbooks are treasured items that were found after Mr. Baba passed away. This time, we're exhibiting a portion of the sketchbook contents as a video material, so it's an exhibit where you can take your time looking closely at each sketch.
Mr. Baba apparently loved drawing since childhood, and many sketches remain. Every single one of them shows remarkable descriptive skill.
This work, "Paper Balloon," was drawn by Mr. Baba when he was an elementary school student, yet it is drawn so realistically that you can almost feel the texture of the paper balloon.
The appeal of Mr. Baba's sketches isn't just their realism. Every sketch is drawn with such evident enjoyment. It truly embodies the subtitle of this special exhibition, "Drew, Made, Enjoyed, Nyago!"
We hope visitors will feel, at the venue, Mr. Baba's overflowing joy in drawing and creating.
This special exhibition is a touring project, but are there any exhibits unique to Kurashiki City Art Museum?
Onoue
Basically, we plan to display almost the same content as the other touring venues, but since we're holding it in Okayama Prefecture, we're unveiling original picture book illustrations from "Momotaro" that weren't displayed at other touring venues. This is a display exclusive to the Kurashiki venue, and we're showing almost the entire set (except for the cover and endpapers) at the end of the picture book chapter.
Ms. Sekiya, the speaker at the commemorative lecture to be held on Saturday, July 27, has also said she would like to talk about Mr. Baba's picture book "Momotaro." Since this work hasn't received much attention until now, I think you'll be able to hear valuable stories.
There's quite a lineup of events alongside the special exhibition too, isn't there?
Onoue
That's right.
The workshop requiring advance registration reached capacity on the very first day of applications. This workshop is being held together with our neighbor, Kurashiki Central Library. Since Mr. Baba's works use a printmaking technique called lithography, younger children will experience stamping while slightly older children will experience lithography.
To make it distinctively Kurashiki-style, the backing paper is shaped like a byobu (folding screen). Since it will resemble an artwork, we think it could also be used as a summer vacation craft project.
Do you know about the "Kurashiki Byobu Festival" held every autumn in the Bikan Historical Area? Actually, Kurashiki City Art Museum also participates in this festival every year. Even after the special exhibition period ends, we hope children will continue to feel a connection to byobu and to Kurashiki City Art Museum.
The picture book reading event is also a collaboration project with Kurashiki Central Library. For the workshop, museum staff go to the library, but for the readings, librarians come to the museum.
Also, the Eleven Cats will come visit Kurashiki City Art Museum too. Besides on the event days, we're also preparing things like parking the Kurashiki City Library's family car in front of Kurashiki City Art Museum and setting up photo spots around the 1st floor entrance, so visitors can take photos capturing the world of Baba Noboru.
Please tell us how to enjoy the special exhibition.
Onoue
First, the moment you enter the museum, the world of "11 Hiki no Neko" unfolds before you. The museum is usually quiet, but during the special exhibition period, we want to create a lively space filled with children, so please feel free to come.
As you move through the exhibition, it transitions to Mr. Baba's sketches, three-dimensional works, and the display of the picture book "Momotaro." The latter half of the exhibition might be a bit more geared toward adults, but children can also enjoy the giant coloring picture.
Finally, please give a message to our readers.
Onoue
As the subtitle suggests, this is an exhibition where you can feel "enjoyment" from Mr. Baba's humor-filled works.
We want not only adults but also children to feel that there was an artist who enjoyed drawing and creating this much, and to feel that drawing and creating are enjoyable.
We sincerely look forward to welcoming visitors of all ages and genders.
From the Writer
Having previously worked as a teacher in the kindergarten division of a special needs school, I am a fan of Baba Noboru, and I also visited "The Complete Baba Noboru Exhibition: Drew, Made, Enjoyed, Nyago!" at the Nerima Art Museum in 2021.
I'm already excited that the works I read with children many times and played pretend with can be seen at Kurashiki City Art Museum, and that I'll get to see displays, goods, and workshops unique to Kurashiki. Even if you haven't read the works, there's a wonderful lineup of pieces that somehow evoke a sense of nostalgia.
Another thing I'm looking forward to is seeing the museum, which is usually quiet with its somewhat intimidating-looking artworks, filled with the lively voices of children. This might also be the perfect first museum experience for your child.
Articles about Kurashiki City Art Museum
Complete Baba Noboru Exhibition: Drawing, Making, and Enjoying Nyago! Information
| Name | Complete Baba Noboru Exhibition: Drawing, Making, and Enjoying Nyago! |
|---|---|
| Dates | Saturday, July 26, 2024 – Sunday, September 1, 2024 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. *On Friday, July 26 only, doors open at 10:00 a.m. Last admission is 4:30 p.m. |
| Location | 2-6-1 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Admission (tax included) | [Advance tickets] General ticket 900 yen, Pair ticket (two general tickets, can also be used twice by one person, available exclusively from Lawson Ticket from June 1 to July 25) 1,600 yen [Same-day tickets] General ticket 1,100 yen, high school/university students 900 yen, elementary/junior high school students 500 yen *For discounted rates, please present ID such as a document confirming age or affiliation, or a student ID card *Free admission for holders of a disability certificate and one accompanying person *Free admission for elementary and junior high school students within Kurashiki City upon presentation of an Ikiiki Passport or student handbook *Free admission for elementary school students upon presentation of a Takahashi River Basin Passport (excluding weekdays) |
| Website | Complete Baba Noboru Exhibition: Drawing, Making, and Enjoying Nyago! |
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