Setagaya Art Museum in Tokyo’s Kinuta Park will present “Tadanori Yokoo: River of Renga” from April 26 (Sat) through June 22 (Sun), showcasing the newest chapter in the legendary artist’s career as he continues creating into his late 80s.
Now 88, Yokoo has spent the past year developing a new body of work inspired by the spirit of renga, the classical Japanese form of linked verse. Just as poets once built stanzas in succession, each painting in this series was made in sequence—each canvas flowing from the previous day’s work. The result is a meditative stream of approximately 60 new oil paintings, many on size 150 canvases, unified by the motif of “water.”
The idea for this series began with a photograph taken of Yokoo in his youth, standing by a river. From that image, he drew inspiration to explore memory, time, and the fluid nature of existence. The works on display—both completed paintings and sketches—form a dreamlike visual journey through themes of life and death, reflection and continuity.
The exhibition offers a rare opportunity to witness the ongoing evolution of one of Japan’s most celebrated contemporary artists, whose creativity shows no sign of slowing down.
The Setagaya Art Museum will host a series of special events in conjunction with the exhibition Tadanori Yokoo: River of Renga, further deepening the experience of the artist’s latest body of work.
On April 29 (Tuesday, national holiday), art critic and poet Aki Takahata, who contributed the lead essay to the exhibition catalogue, will deliver a lecture offering insights into Yokoo’s creative process and artistic philosophy.
Marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of Yukio Mishima—a close friend of Yokoo—the museum will also present a special piano concert on May 3 (Saturday). Pianist Maki Namekawa will give the Japanese premiere of music from Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, a film that featured Yokoo and remains unreleased in Japan, as well as from Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (“Nakoi Katzzi”), for which Yokoo designed the Japanese poster.
Additionally, legendary American composer Terry Riley is scheduled to perform a live improvisation set on May 24 (Saturday), adding a unique musical dimension to the museum’s program of events.
Tadanori Yokoo: River of Renga
Exhibition Information
Exhibition Period
April 26 (Sat) – June 22 (Sun), 2025
Venue
Setagaya Art Museum
1-2 Kinuta Park, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-0075
Opening Hours
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Last admission at 5:30 PM)
Closed Days
Mondays (except April 28 and May 5, both open); closed on Wednesday, May 7
Admission Fees
- General: ¥1,400 (¥1,200 for groups of 20 or more)
- Seniors (65+): ¥1,200 (¥1,000 for groups)
- High school and university students: ¥800 (¥600 for groups)
- Elementary and junior high school students: ¥500 (¥300 for groups)
- Preschool children: Free
Discounts & Accessibility
For group bookings, please inquire by phone in advance.
Lecture: “Tadanori Yokoo and the Allure of Renga”
Speaker: Tetsuo Takahata (Art Critic, Poet)
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 29 (National Holiday), 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Venue: Auditorium
Piano Concert: “Yokoo × Mishima × Glass”
2025 marks the centennial of the birth of Yukio Mishima, a close friend of Tadanori Yokoo. To commemorate this occasion, pianist Maki Namekawa will perform the complete solo piano version—its Japan premiere—of music composed by Philip Glass for the film Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, in which Yokoo also appeared (unreleased in Japan). Additionally, the program will include the Japan premiere of a piano solo from Naqoyqatsi, another film scored by Glass, for which Yokoo designed the Japanese poster.
Performer: Maki Namekawa (Piano)
Arrangements: Michael Riesman (Piano Solo Versions)
Date & Time: Saturday, May 3, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Venue: Auditorium
Improvisational Live Performance: “Terry Riley & SARA – Musica Geometrica Sagrada”
Tadanori Yokoo and composer/musician Terry Riley share a deep mutual respect. Since 2020, Riley has been active in Japan, often visiting Yokoo’s atelier and performing improvisations at sites such as the Teshima Yokoo House and the Yokoo Tadanori Contemporary Art Museum in Kobe. Their creative worlds have overlapped in thrilling ways, and this special live collaboration—set amidst the “River of Renga” exhibition after closing hours—marks their first such performance in Tokyo.
Performers: Terry Riley (Composer, Musician), SARA (Musician)
Date & Time: Saturday, May 24, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Venue: 1st Floor Exhibition Gallery
