The 13th Sato Sakura Museum
‘Ōka-Sho Award’ Exhibition
On View: Feb. 24 － May 10, 2026
Closed: Monday (Open on Mar. 23, 30, May 4) Apr. 10-14, May 7
Hours: 10am － 5pm (Last Entry is at 4:30pm)
Closed: Monday (Open on Mar. 23, 30, May 4) Apr. 10-14, May 7
Hours: 10am － 5pm (Last Entry is at 4:30pm)
Organized by Sato Sakura Museum
Supported by Meguro Tourism Association
Location: 1-7-13 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Supported by Meguro Tourism Association
Location: 1-7-13 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo
Artworks
The Grand Prize at the 13th Sato Sakura Museum Ōka-sho Award Exhibition
Hana Mori
'feel excited'
2025
The Second Prize at the 13th Sato Sakura Museum Ōka-sho Award Exhibition
Haruka Saito
'Spring Day'
2025
The Honourable Mention Award
at the 13th Sato Sakura Museum Ōka-sho Award Exhibition
Foreword
Sato Sakura Museum is pleased to present the 13th Sato Sakura Museum Ōka-Sho Award Exhibition.
Opened in 2012 along the Meguro River—one of Tokyo’s most renowned cherry blossom viewing areas—the Sato Sakura Museum is dedicated exclusively to contemporary Nihonga (Japanese-style painting). The Ōka-Sho Award Exhibition was established to commemorate the first anniversary of the museum’s opening.
This competition-format exhibition invites promising young Nihonga artists to create new works centered on sakura (cherry blossoms), a motif long associated with Nihonga. All exhibited works are acquired by the museum, and selected award-winning pieces are chosen and presented to the public. Through the Ōka-Sho Award Exhibition, the museum aims to provide opportunities for audiences to rediscover the excellence of Nihonga and to carry its enduring appeal forward to future generations.
Held annually during the cherry blossom season, the exhibition reaches its 13th year in 2025, with the cumulative number of participating artists now exceeding 300. For this exhibition, judging was conducted by distinguished Nihonga painters Shigetomo Kurashima, Koichi Takeuchi, Chinami Nakajima, and Nobuyoshi Watanabe. Thirty-one emerging Nihonga artists—whose future achievements are highly anticipated—were selected to participate, presenting ambitious works that explore the shared theme of sakura through a wide range of approaches. As with the previous twelve Ōka-Sho Award Exhibitions, this year’s selection introduces a fresh and invigorating presence to the world of contemporary Nihonga. We hope visitors will enjoy these compelling works by rising artists who will shape the future of Japanese painting.
It is with deep regret that we announce that the Sato Sakura Museum Ōka-Sho Award Exhibition will conclude with this 13th exhibition. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported and contributed to this competition over many years.
Finally, we wish to express our sincere thanks to all individuals and organizations whose generous cooperation made this final exhibition possible.
Opened in 2012 along the Meguro River—one of Tokyo’s most renowned cherry blossom viewing areas—the Sato Sakura Museum is dedicated exclusively to contemporary Nihonga (Japanese-style painting). The Ōka-Sho Award Exhibition was established to commemorate the first anniversary of the museum’s opening.
This competition-format exhibition invites promising young Nihonga artists to create new works centered on sakura (cherry blossoms), a motif long associated with Nihonga. All exhibited works are acquired by the museum, and selected award-winning pieces are chosen and presented to the public. Through the Ōka-Sho Award Exhibition, the museum aims to provide opportunities for audiences to rediscover the excellence of Nihonga and to carry its enduring appeal forward to future generations.
Held annually during the cherry blossom season, the exhibition reaches its 13th year in 2025, with the cumulative number of participating artists now exceeding 300. For this exhibition, judging was conducted by distinguished Nihonga painters Shigetomo Kurashima, Koichi Takeuchi, Chinami Nakajima, and Nobuyoshi Watanabe. Thirty-one emerging Nihonga artists—whose future achievements are highly anticipated—were selected to participate, presenting ambitious works that explore the shared theme of sakura through a wide range of approaches. As with the previous twelve Ōka-Sho Award Exhibitions, this year’s selection introduces a fresh and invigorating presence to the world of contemporary Nihonga. We hope visitors will enjoy these compelling works by rising artists who will shape the future of Japanese painting.
It is with deep regret that we announce that the Sato Sakura Museum Ōka-Sho Award Exhibition will conclude with this 13th exhibition. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported and contributed to this competition over many years.
Finally, we wish to express our sincere thanks to all individuals and organizations whose generous cooperation made this final exhibition possible.
Artists:
Shiori Azuma, Tomohiro Isobe, Kanoko Oshiro, Mirei Omura, Katsuki Kawamura, Moe Kozakai, Yusuke Goto, Azu Komatsubara, Haruka Saito, Manami Saito, Mahiro Sakaguchi, Rina Shiino, Shigeru Shimada, Masaki Shirakura, Yuka Sugahara, Hisae Takada, Kaho Taguchi, Miu Tasaki, Shoko Tanaka, Chiho Tahara, Satoru Tsuruta, Haruka Nagai, Hina Nakamura, Yuka Noguchi, Kiharu Fukuda, Akane Maeda, Yuki Yatsu, Haruki Yamaba, Anna Yamabe, Hana Mori, and Ryohei Watanabe
Shiori Azuma, Tomohiro Isobe, Kanoko Oshiro, Mirei Omura, Katsuki Kawamura, Moe Kozakai, Yusuke Goto, Azu Komatsubara, Haruka Saito, Manami Saito, Mahiro Sakaguchi, Rina Shiino, Shigeru Shimada, Masaki Shirakura, Yuka Sugahara, Hisae Takada, Kaho Taguchi, Miu Tasaki, Shoko Tanaka, Chiho Tahara, Satoru Tsuruta, Haruka Nagai, Hina Nakamura, Yuka Noguchi, Kiharu Fukuda, Akane Maeda, Yuki Yatsu, Haruki Yamaba, Anna Yamabe, Hana Mori, and Ryohei Watanabe
Judges:
Shigetomo Kurashima, Koichi Takeuchi, Chinami Nakajima, Nobuyoshi Watanabe
Shigetomo Kurashima, Koichi Takeuchi, Chinami Nakajima, Nobuyoshi Watanabe
Concurrent Exhibition '100 Views of Sakura vol.42'
Artworks
‘100 Views of Sakura vol. 42’ introduces famed cherry blossom works from the museum’s collection in an exhibit room offering a “cherry blossom viewing” experience.
We hope you will visit and enjoy the grace and elegance of cherry blossoms depicted through expression characteristic of contemporary nihonga painting.
Artists:
Yuka Omura, Kazutoshi Oshimoto, Kei Kato, Sayaka Kato, Mariko Kawamoto, Aya Kudo, Mai Shikama, Yuika Takeuchi, Shugo Tajima, Ryo Date, Yuji Tezuka, Chinami Nakajima, Yoshiyuki Nakano, Mayumi Hachiya, Jun’ichi Hayashi, Ami Matsubara, Megumi Yamaura, and Nobuyoshi Watanabe
We hope you will visit and enjoy the grace and elegance of cherry blossoms depicted through expression characteristic of contemporary nihonga painting.
Artists:
Yuka Omura, Kazutoshi Oshimoto, Kei Kato, Sayaka Kato, Mariko Kawamoto, Aya Kudo, Mai Shikama, Yuika Takeuchi, Shugo Tajima, Ryo Date, Yuji Tezuka, Chinami Nakajima, Yoshiyuki Nakano, Mayumi Hachiya, Jun’ichi Hayashi, Ami Matsubara, Megumi Yamaura, and Nobuyoshi Watanabe
List of Artworks
Coming Soon
■What is Nihonga: Click here
■Sato Sakura Museum Collection: Click here
■Online Viewing Room: Click here
■Sato Sakura Museum Collection: Click here
■Online Viewing Room: Click here
