A famous manga artist of Japan known for his works such as “Doraemon” and “Kiteretsu Encyclopedia”

Fujiko F. Fujio was born in Takaoka City and spent his time there until moving to Tokyo at the age of 20.

To commemorate his 90th birthday on December 1 of Reiwa 5 (2023),

various commemorative projects will be held at the Fujiko F. Fujio Hometown Art Gallery

in Takaoka and on the Doraemon Tram (Manyo Line).

We introduce recommended plans where you can enjoy the charm and world view

of Fujiko F. Fujio’s works.

〇Commemorative projects at the Fujiko F. Fujio Hometown Art Gallery

◆　Celebrating the 90th anniversary of Fujiko F. Fujio, the “SF (Sukoshi Fushigi) no Essence”

The charm of Fujiko F. Fujio’s works, beloved by children across generations, will be introduced over three periods, focusing on unique motifs and themes.

First Period: “Thank you for inviting us! The mysterious lodgers”
　　　　　　　December 1, 2023 (Friday) to March 31, 2024 (Sunday)

2nd Period: “Am I a hero!?”
　　　　　　　April 2, 2024 (Tuesday) to July 28, 2024 (Sunday)

3rd Period: “Mysterious tools”
　　　　　　　July 30, 2024 (Tuesday) to November 27, 2024 (Wednesday)

The original color drawings in the permanent exhibition will also be replaced with original drawings exhibited for the first time at the Hometown Art Gallery, such as “Perman,” “T.P. Bon,” and “New Obake no Q-Taro.” In addition, a new original short movie will be shown, such as “Doraemon & F Character All-Stars ‘Sukoshi Fushigi Chotokkyu (Express).’”

Also, a photo spot with a special design for the 90th anniversary of Fujiko F. Fujio’s birth, where you can take pictures with him and many characters, will be set up. Why not take a commemorative photo when you visit?

During the period of the exhibition of original drawings, all visitors will receive an original stamp card where they can collect character stamps. There are three types of stamp designs for each period, so enjoy viewing the various original artworks and collecting the stamps!
(Admission fee is required to receive the stamp card.)

Fujiko.F.Fujio Hometown Art Gallery in Takaoka

〔Address〕Takaoka Art Museum, 2nd Floor, 1-1-30 Nakagawa, Takaoka City

〔Open Hours〕9:30 to 17:00（Entrance is before 16:30）

〔Closed Days〕Mondays ※ Open when Monday falls on a holiday and closed on next week day 
　　　　　　　　Beginning and End of Year（29th December to 3rd January)

〔Website〕https://fujiko-artgallery.jp/

〔Inquiries〕0766-20-1170

〇Commemorative Projects on the Doraemon Tram

The Manyo Line, connecting Takaoka City and Imizu City, operates a “Doraemon Tram” that is designed with Doraemon’s image both inside and outside to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Doraemon’s birth (September 3, 2012).

Starting from December 1st (Friday), a commemorative sticker for the 90th anniversary of Fujiko F. Fujio’s birth will be attached to the Doraemon Tram. Take a ride on the special Doraemon Tram to visit spots related to Fujiko.F.Fujio in the city.

In addition, limited quantities of the “Manyo Line 1-Day Free Ticket” and “Doraemon Paper Craft” with original designs commemorating the 90th anniversary of Fujiko F. Fujio’s birth will also be available for sale.

Sales Period: From December 1, Reiwa 5 (2023) to November 30, Reiwa 6 (2024)

Sale Locations: Manyo Line Head Office, Manyo Line Online Shop, Inside Manyo Line Trams (One-day Free Ticket only)

Price: One-day Free Ticket: 900 yen for adults, 450 yen for children

Paper Craft: 330 yen

Number of Tickets for Sale: One-day Free Ticket: 1,000 for adults, 500 for children

Paper Crafts: 1,000 pieces

Inquiries: Manyosen Co., Ltd., TEL 0766-25-4139

Official Website: https://www.manyosen.co.jp/

〇Commemorative Postmark Design of the Doraemon Post Box

At the Doraemon post box located on the first floor of Takaoka Station, a service is being provided where commemorative postmarks with a special design are stamped on mailed items. From December 1st, this commemorative postmark will feature the ‘Fujiko F. Fujio’s 90th Birth Anniversary’ design.

Why not send a letter with this special postmark to someone important to you?

The Takaoka City website introduces various spots around the city related to Fujiko F. Fujio. With this opportunity, we invite you to visit the Hometown Art Gallery and these spots to celebrate Fujiko F. Fujio-sensei’s 90th birth anniversary together!

Takaoka City Website: https://www.city.takaoka.toyama.jp/bunka/bunsou/dora/matome.html

Inquiries: Takaoka City Living Environment and Culture Department, Culture Promotion Division

TEL: 0766-20-1255

FAX: 0766-20-1666

©Fujiko-Pro

“Travel through Time Performances at Takaoka”, an online performance video showing traditional cultural arts, music, and dance by local artists is now distributed on the Takaoka Cultural Creativity City Official Channel on YouTube with historical cultural assets and the city scape of Takaoka as a new stage venues.

Last year we distributed three videos works showing traditional cultural arts and dance that were performed at Shokoji Temple, Kanayamachi, Zuiryuji Temple, and the Amaharashi Coast. On this occasion, we have produced and distributed two new works, with the stage set at Yamachosuji and Mt.Futagami!

Each work features an atmospheric stage, where history and culture are fused, and are all works worth watching.

The following is an introduction to the two works distributed on this occasion.

➀ Singing in Harmony with the Seasons in Yamachosuji

【Shooting place】Yamachosuji（Takaoka Mikurumayama Hall, Dozodukuri no Machi Museum, Yamacho Valley, Red brick building）, Suehirozaka Small Park

【Content】Chorus

【Performers】Joto Ongakuin, “Dolce” Female Chorus, Female Chorus Voce Fontana,
“Ongakushitsu” Chorus Group, Japan Boy Scouts Takaoka 11th Beaver Group

【Choral music supervision and arrangement】Chiyoko Matsui

Yamachosuji is a town with the remnants of a wide variety of historical landscapes, including brick houses and Western architecture, in addition to its storehouses, with their traditional Japanese architectural style, and for this reason, it has been designated as an important preservation district of historic buildings. (Within Takaoka City, the towns of Kanayamachi and Yoshihisa have received the same designation, and Takaoka is of only four cities nationwide to have three designated important preservation district of historic buildings within the same city.）

Kingetsu Murosaki, composer of “Sunset”, with the well-known lyrics “Gin-gin, Gira-Gira the Sunset is Setting” was born and raised in Yamachosuji, and after music composition activities in Tokyo, formed a people’s choir in the city, and developed a wide range of other musical activities.

The musical culture left by Kingetsu remains a treasure passed down today by the people of Takaoka. All four chorus groups, active within the City area, will sing children’s songs representing the four seasons on the stage that is the streets of Yamachosuji.

Please enjoy this beautiful harmony, where history and singing are interwoven.

▼Video ‘Singing in Harmony with the Seasons in Yamachosuji/online performance “/“Travel Through Time Performances at Takaoka” work’

②Spiritual Echoes on Colorful Autumn Peaks

【Shooting place】Mt.Futagami, Bussharizan Bussekiji Temple

【Content】Shakuhachi, flower arrangement

【Performers】The Tozanryu Shakuhachi Foundation　Grandmaster　Kozan Tokai (Shakuhachi), Flower arrangement master　Ikenobo Takaoka Branch (Flower arrangement）

Mt.Futagami is well known as a mountain blessed with an abundance of natural beauty that changes with the seasons. Otomo no Yakamochi, a representative poet of the Manyoshu, is known for being so impressed by the beautiful nature of Mt.Futagami that he expressed it in numerous poems.

Bussharizan Bussekiji Temple, on the “Mt.Futagami Manyo Line”, a driving course where you can enjoy the scenery of Mt.Futagami, is a direct descendant of Eihei-ji Temple (Fukui Prefecture), the head temple of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism, and is popular among local residents for its red-ink stamp tours, zazen meditation, sutra copying, and other activities. You are treated to a truly spectacular view of the Sea of Japan and the Tateyama Mountain range from the are in front of the Jizo-do.

The sound of the Shakuhachi played with Toyama Bay, the Tateyama Mountain Range, and Takaoka City Center in the background, leaves a soft, but powerful, impression. The flower arrangement performed in the austere space of Bussekiji Temple is also truly a sight to behold.

This video was planned, produced, and edited by students from the Toyama University Graduate School of Arts and Culture. Note the exciting chemistry between young sensibilities and traditional arts and culture.

▼Video “Spiritual Echoes on Colorful Autumn Peaks/Online Performance/“Travel Through Time Performances at Takaoka”

The videos distributed last year were the following:

〇Dancing in the moonlight at Shokoji Temple

【Shooting place】Shokoji Temple

【Content】Western dance, Koto music

【Performers】Kasai Dancing Company (Western Dance), Ikutaryuseigensha Katakagokai (Koto Music)

〇Traditional Dancing Cheering the Town of Metal Castors

【Shooting place】Kanayamachi (Row of Houses with Lattice, Kanayamachi Pocket Park, Kanaya Green Park), Arisoshohachimangu

【Content】Folk Dance, Folk Song

【Performers】Folk Dance, Folk Song Hananokai, Sato Matsukoryu Matsuhirokai, Yagaefu Preservation Society

〇Connecting Age and Culture

【Shooting place】Zuiryuji Temple, Amaharashi Coast (Roadside Station Amaharashi)

【Content】Japanese Dancing

【Performers】Kiku Hanakawa (Hanakawaryu), National Institute of Technology, Toyama College Imizu Campus Japanese Dance Club

*******************************************

Each of these videos is a work that invites you to discover new attractions, by combining the historical assets and culture of Takaoka City with its own particular charms.

At the Takaoka Cultural Creativity City Official Channel on YouTube, you can see a digest version of approximately 5 minutes in addition to the main works.

Just sit back and enjoy works with different techniques and performances than you would normally see at a hall.

Works of Fujiko.F.Fujio from Takaoka consist not solely of hilarious scenes but have many scenes where the characters end up in tight squeezes.  Even with cases of unexpected happenings developing into greater troubles.

The Fujiko.F.Fujio Hometown Art Gallery in Takaoka is now displaying an exhibition of original drawings with crisis as the theme,  “Crisis, Trouble, Happening!!”.   Centering on their major work “Doraemon”, heart pounding and exciting original pictures are selected with care and exhibited from such as “Kiteretsu Encyclopaedia”, “Perman”, “Mami with Preternatual Power”.

In addition, showing of a new short movie “Umeboshi Denka & Doraeman [Panparopan-no-Suppappa] ”will be starting to be shown and there are also plans for sales of original pins and post cards in addition to the new exhibition.  Why not pay a visit to the gallery full of must-see things on this occasion?

The large sized tapestry of the Hometown Gallery shown in the Takaoka Station South-North Free Passage is also to be of the design of the new exhibition.  It’s a must see for those of you who use the station for sightseeing, commuting or going to school!   Furthermore, postmarks stamped on post cards and letters posted in the Doraemon Postbox in Takaoka Station Kotsu Plaza has been renewed to the new design.  Please stop by the Takaoka Station when you visit!

The new postmark is a memorial design to celebrate the 10th year of operation of the Doraemon Tram Service

■ Fujiko.F.Fujio Original Pictures Exhibition “Crisis, Trouble, Happening!!”

Exibition Period:  Thursday, December 1st, 2022 to Sunday, November 26th, 2023

(First Period) Thursday, December 1st, 2022 to Sunday, May 28th, 2023

 (Second Period) Wednesday, May 31st, 2023 to Sunday, November 26th

*Schedule for exhibition and the first period and the second period are liable to be changed.  Your understanding is appreciated.

Fujiko.F.Fujio Hometown Art Gallery in Takaoka

〔Address〕Takaoka Art Museum, 2nd Floor, 1-1-30 Nakagawa, Takaoka City

〔Open Hours〕9:30 to 17:00（Entrance is before 16:30）

〔Closed Days〕Mondays ※ Open when Monday falls on a holiday and closed on next        week day 　

Beginning and End of Year（29th December to 3rd January)

〔Admission Fee〕General, University Student　500Yen (400Yen),  High School Student, Junior High School Student  300 Yen (240Yen),  Elementary School Student, Young Children (Over 4 year of age)  200 yens (160 yen),   Under 4 years of age  Free

※Inside ( ) is the group admission fee for over 20 persons.

※Free for persons with handicapped person’s passbook and up to one accompanying person.

※Persons over Age 65 is 400 Yens

〔Homepage〕https://fujiko-artgallery.jp/

〔Inquiries〕０７６６－２０－１１７０

©Fujiko-Pro

“Travel through Time Performances at Takaoka”, an online performance video showing traditional cultural arts, music, and dance by local artists is now distributed on the Takaoka Cultural Creativity City Official Channel on YouTube with historical cultural assets and the city scape of Takaoka as a new place for the stage.

Fusion of history and culture make up an elegant stage and all the works are impressive!

This time, we introduce the three works.

1.  Dancing in the Moonlight of Shōkōji Temple

【 Film Shooting Place 】Shōkōji Temple

【 Content 】Western Dance, Koto Music

【Performer】Kasai Dancing Company (Western Dance), Ikutaryuseigensha Katakagokai (Koto Music)

Shōkōji Temple is familiar as “furukohan” in the Fushiki district of Takaoka City.  In March, 2021 after finishing the “major Heisei repairs” which lasted for 23 years, a magnificent appearance just as in the Edo Period was revived.

In this video, having the historical Shōkōji Temple as the stage, gorgeous ballet by the Kasai Dancing Company and beautiful tone of Koto by Ikutaryuseigensha Katakagokai color the Shōkōji Temple at night.

The Shōkōji Temple was supported and continuously guarded by so many people over the ages from the Edo Period to the present.  Then, the dancing and the music polishing expression by carefully passing on as well as adding new charm.  One is charmed by a stage only existing in Takaoka where the history and culture are fused.

▼Video “Dancing in Moonlight of Shōkōji Temple / Online Performance “Travel Through Time Performances at Takaoka”

2. Traditional Dancing Cheering the Town of Metal Castors

【Shooting Place】Kanayamachi (Row of Houses with Lattice, Kanayamachi Pocket Park, Kanaya Green Park), Arisoshohachimangu

【Content】Folk Dance, Folk Song

【Performers】Folk Dance, Folk Song Hananokai, Sato Matsukoryu Matsuhirokai, Yagaefu Preservation Society

Kanayamachi specified as Important Preservation District for Traditional Buildings as historical streetscape where appearance remains from the time of founding of the town.  Yamachosuji and Yoshihisa have also been specified the same in the city of Takaoka. There are only four cities including ours in all of Japan having three Important Preservation District for Traditional Buildings.

Kanayamachi, the stage of the video is the birthplace of Takaoka metal casting where Toshinaga Maeda, who founded the town of Takaoka invited seven metal castors for starting an industry and had them live there.  The contrast between the latticed windows called “samanoko” and stone pavement is beautiful and many tourists pay a visit from all over Japan.

In Kanayamachi with such beautiful scenery, Folk Dance, Folk Song Hananokai, Sato Matsukoryu Matsuhirokai, Yagaefu Preservation Society perform the dance and music of famous folk song sang over generations in Toyama Prefecture, “Ecchu Owara” (Yatsuo area, Toyama City), “Toichinsa” (Gokayama area, Nanto City), “Kokirikobushi” (Gokayama area, Nanto City), “Hobashiraokoshi Iwaiuta” (Fushiki area, Takaoka City), dance, music of “Yagaefu” (Kanayamachi, Takaoka City) are performed.

▼Video  “Traditional Dance Cheering Metal Castors Town / Online Performance “Travel Through Time Performances at Takaoka”

3. Connecting Age and Culture

【Shooting Place】Zuiryuji Temple, Amaharashi Coast (Roadside Station Amaharashi)

【Content】Japanese Dancing

【Performers】Kiku Hanakawa (Hanakawaryu), National Institute of Technology, Toyama College Imizu Campus Japanese Dance Club

The first stage for the video is the National Park, Amaharashi Coast.  Many people visit it as land of superb view looking at the 3,000m level Tateyama Mountain range over the sea.  In the Nara era, Yakamochi Ootomo who was moved by this grand scenery wrote many waka poetries and later it was specified as the country’s scenic spot as a scene appearing in “The Narrow Road to the Deep North” by Basho Matsuo.  At the beautiful Amaharashi Coast which has charmed people’s hearts from the days of the old, and the students of the National Institute of Technology, Toyama College Imizu Campus Japanse Dance Club will dance the three tunes of “Kikuzukushi”, “Hanetsuki” “Madame Butterfly of Nagasaki”.  It is a beautiful stage of Japanese Dance colored brightly by kimono and props.

The second stage for the video is a national treasure Soto School shrine of Zuiryuji.  It is the Soto School shrine known as the family temple of Toshinaga Maeda, the founder of Takaoka.  It has been built by Toshitsune, the third prince over approximately 20 years of time.  Beginning with the Buddhist temple, the lecture hall, and the main gate are specified as national treasures being masterpieces of modern Buddhist temple architecture.

With the historical Zuiryuji Temle as the stage, Hanakawaryu Kiku Hanakawa dances the Japanese dance of “Shima no Senzai”.  Please view the refined, soft, and beautiful movements in the majestic atmosphere.

In this video, Kaoru Mizushima of School of Art and Design/Graduate School of Art and Design, University of Toyama was responsible for the planning, production, and editing.  Please pay attention to the young sensitivity, pro-like camera work, and the editing skills.

▼Video “Connecting Age and Culture / Online Performance “Travel Through Time Performances at Takaoka”

*******************************************

In all the vides, one can discover a new attraction by having the thing to see in historical assets and culture of Takaoka City mix together.

You can view the approximately 30 minutes original version and a four minutes digest version on the Official Channel of Takaoka a Culture Creating City on YouTube.

Please enjoy the works which are quite different from performances and music you usually enjoy in halls whenever and wherever you please.

Brochures are here

The past or the future…which would you go to if you could time travel? There are many scenes in the work of Takaoka City-born manga artist Fujiko・F・Fujio that feature time travel.

The “Time Travel: Past and Future” exhibition explores the theme of time travel through original art and is currently being held at the Fujiko・F・Fujio Hometown Art Gallery. It features carefully selected original art that explores the fun and mysterious moments of his masterpiece “Doraemon,” as well as titles such as “Perman,” “Chimpui,” “T.P. Bon” and “Pokonyan!”

When it comes to time travel, you never know what might happen. What kind of unexpected events, people, animals or things will you encounter? Why not make a journey of your own to enjoy an exciting and mind-bending ride alongside Doraemon and his friends?

Alongside the exhibition, there will be screenings of a new short film “Doraemon & F Character All-Stars: Getsumen Race de Dai-Pinch” （THE CRISIS RACE on the moon face）, and new badges and postcards available for purchase. Why not stop by and take this opportunity to appreciate these iconic characters?

To coincide with the exhibition, a new large Hometown Art Gallery wall hanging will be displayed in the north-south pedestrian passage of Takaoka Station. It is a must-see for anyone visiting the station for sightseeing or on their way to work or school! Not only that, the postmark on letters and postcards sent from the Doraemon post box in the Takaoka Station traffic square also has a new design. Please feel free to stop by!

The new postmark features Doraemon wearing the kind of beret Fujiko・F・Fujio himself might wear. ©Fujiko-Pro

■  Fujiko・F・Fujio Original Pictures Exhibition “Time Travel: Past and Future”

Wednesday December 1, 2021 to Sunday November 27, 2022

First phase: Wednesday December 1, 2021 to Sunday May 29, 2022

Second phase: Wednesday June 1, 2022 to Sunday November 27, 2022

* Please note that the exhibition schedule is subject to change. Thank you for your understanding.

●Fujiko・F・Fujio Hometown Art Gallery

Address: 2F Takaoka City Art Museum, Takaoka City, Nakagawa, 1-1-30

Opening hours: 9.30-17.00 (Admission until 16.30)

Closed Mondays

* Please note: if Monday is a national holiday, the museum will be open and closed on the following day. The museum is closed over the New Year season (December 29 – January 3).

Admission: Adults/university students: 500 yen (400 yen), high school students/junior high school students: 300 yen (240 yen), elementary school students and children over 4: 200 yen (160 yen), children under 4: free

* Prices in parentheses are for groups of 20 or more people.

* Visitors with a disability certificate and an accompanying person can enter for free.

* Visitors 65 years or older can purchase a ticket for 400 yen.

Website: https://fujiko-artgallery.jp/

Inquires: 0766-20-1170

★ Click here for the flyer

Would you like to visit Unryūzan Shōkōji Temple?

Shōkōji Temple, located in the Fushiki district of Takaoka City, is one of Takaoka’s precious historical sites, with a total of 12 buildings, including the main temple building and Karamon, designated as national important cultural properties.

The rise of this vast Shin Buddhist temple dates back to the latter half of the 15th century, during the Sengoku (Warring States) Period. Shōkōji Temple, which boasted great power as a base for Etchū Ikkō Ikki (the Jōdo Shinshū Buddhist uprising), then moved to its present location where the Etchū Province government office of the Nara Period was said to have been in 1584 (Tensho Year 14). During the Edo Period, it maintained a close relationship with the Kaga Maeda Clan and constructed a magnificent temple, while being loved by the region’s local religious followers.

Karamon. Relocated from Kyoto, after going through repairs, the roof was changed to the Hiwadabuki style of a cypress bark roof with hinoki bark thatching.

Major repairs began in 1998 (Heisei Year 10). While repairing each building according to its level of damage, repairs have been carried out for the past 23 years with the aim of restoring the buildings’ appearance to the latter half of the Edo Period. All construction work was completed in September 2020 (Reiwa Year 2). The remaining moat and landscape maintenance were all completed in March.

General tours are already available, but let us introduce the sights of the temple.

At Shōkōji Temple, there are “Seven Mysteries” that the monks have spoken of for some time. The above is one of them.

The monkeys that support the four corners of the main temple building, the “Amanojaku,” are also one of the “Seven Mysteries.” They are said to have the purpose of warding off evil, but it is rare to place Amanojaku (also known as antagonistic demons in Japanese folklore) as a support for the temple’s eaves. We invite you to come check out the real thing at the site.

The long corridor connecting the main temple building and the head temple is also characteristic. It is divided into exclusive use for laymen and for monks.

Shōkōji Temple is also famous for possessing many treasures. The prime example of this is Rakuchū Rakugai-zu, a collection of paintings and drawings that capture the great scenery of the city of Kyoto. You can view a replica in the study. We also want you to discover the gorgeous “Kugi Kakushi” (“Hidden Nail”) that can be seen in various parts of the study’s traditional Japanese architecture, particularly within the beams and columns.

The kitchen area where all of the demolition repairs took place. It is composed of a wide dirt floor and wooden boards, and is furnished with a large kamado (traditional Japanese stove), a deep water well, and a sunken hearth. It is very rare to have a well above floor level.

“Kodō” has a castle-like style and appearance. It was once the place where a drum was struck to let the monks in the temple know what time it was.

Shōkōji Temple, with its many buildings from the Edo Period that remain as they were, where you can enjoy the scenery of the Edo Period as if you are really there. A new audio guide has been introduced to coincide with the completion of major repairs. We invite you to use the guide in order to further understand the profound charm and attraction of the temple.

In addition, Fushiki also has other spots where you can revisit various time periods, such as the Kitamae Ship Museum and the Manyō History Museum.

The katakuri (dogtooth violet) flowers at the Manyō History Museum are also approaching full bloom.

>> Manyō History Museum link

How would you like to take a walk in the Fushiki district, while visiting Shōkōji Temple for a spring outing?

◎Unryūzan Shōkōji Temple

Visiting Hours：9:00 AM ~ 4:00 PM (admission is open until 3:30 PM)

Construction Cooperation Fee：

Adults；500 yen,Children (junior high school students and younger); Free

    https://www.shoukouji.jp/

◎Takaoka Hatsu Kawaraban (tile block print): Fushiki Kitamae Ship Edition

　https://www.toyama-ebooks.jp/book/id/2542