The Art of Motif Formula — The Aesthetics Born from Combining Traditional Designs | gallery 1

In kimono and painting, it is common to combine “patterns,” (or motifs) to express particular images or feelings. These combined motifs have long been cherished as a way to share with others the scenes, impressions, and wishes evoked by a work of art. They function as a kind of aesthetic formula, developed to communicate a rich image with minimal information.

Representative traditional Japanese combinations such as “Pine, Bamboo, and Plum” or “Cranes over Waves” are examples of this. Today, we often see only the “results” of these formulas, without realizing the underlying structure.

In this exhibition, we feature works from the Chiso collection that include the motifs “plum blossoms,” “cranes,” and “the moon.” By breaking down these motifs and recombining them, we explore the imagery created through their relationships.
We invite you to enjoy the rich world of motifs.

The Art of Motif Formula — The Aesthetics Born from Combining Traditional Designs
December 13 (Sat.) , 2025 – March 10 (Tue.), 2026

Admission free
Closed Wednesday
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

※Opening hours follow those of the CHISO Flagship store.
※Hours may change due to temporary closures.
※We will be closed during the year-end and New Year holidays as follows：December 27th (Sat.) ,2025 − January 5th(Tue.) ,2026

CHISO GALLERY – gallery 1
2nd floor of the CHISO Flagship store
80 Mikuracho Sanjyo Karasuma
Nakagyo-ku Kyoto