Kyoto International Manga Museum

©しりあがり寿

©蛭子能収

©やなせたかし

©西原理恵子

©江川達也

©江口寿史

KYOTO CMEX 2010 Coordinated Special Exhibition

"My Ryoma" Illustration Exhibition in Kyoto

This exhibit contains illustrations of Ryoma Sakamoto by thirty-two of the top Japanese artists who produce manga, each based on their distinct vision of this influential figure in Japanese history. The exhibit was produced by the musician Saeki Kenzo, and was first shown in HUIS TEN BOSCH in Nagasaki Prefecture. It has since been exhibited around Japan and gained much popularity.

The imaginative illustrations by leading Japanese artists breathe new life into the character of Ryoma Sakamoto, who is one of the greatest and best-loved heroes in Japanese history. Manga that feature Ryoma Sakamoto as a character are also available for you to read as part of the exhibition.

The NHK TV drama series about Ryoma Sakamoto has successfully finished, we hope that you will learn more about him here at the Manga Museum, in the heart of the historical city of Kyoto.

Period	November 11, 2010 - January 31, 2011 10am - 6pm (Last entrance is at 5:30) In addition to regularly scheduled closures every Wednesday, the Museum will be closed from December 28, 2010 - January 3, 2011 for the New Year's holidays. *The exhibition will only be open during the morning of January 11, as we will be moving it to Gallery 4 during the afternoon.
Location	Kyoto International Manga Museum November 26, 2010 - January 11, 2011 (open in the morning only on January 11): 2nd Floor, Japanese-style Room (Multi-purpose Research Room 2) January 13 - 31, 2011: 2nd Floor, Gallery 4
Admission	Free *However, a General Admission ticket to the Museum is required.

Organizers: Kyoto International Manga Museum, NHK Kyoto Station (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)

Planning and Production:Pearlnet Corporation (Produced by Saeki Kenzo)

Pearlnet Corporation (Produced by Saeki Kenzo)

Works Featured in the Exhibition

• Thirty-two illustrations of Ryoma Sakamoto by manga artists and illustrators
• Calligraphy by Takahiro, a member of the music group EXILE
• About 50 manga about Ryoma Sakamoto's life and times (available to read at your leisure)
• Information about the "My Ryoma" illustration contest, which is currently seeking entrants. If your work is selected, it will later be exhibited.

Related Events

Art Through Ryoma! Panel Discussion and Cosplay Show!

We will hold a panel discussion with the producer and some of the participating artists of our Sakamoto Ryoma Exhibition, in addition to a Ryoma and Bakumatsu Period-themed Cosplay Competition,for which they will serve as the judges. Whether you are the "modern-day Ryoma," a general fan of Bakumatsu Period manga and animation, or a cosplayer who likes to wear Japanese-style Goth clothes, this event is for you! There will even be a live "mini-performance" by Saeki Kenzo!

Day and Time	December 18, 2010, 1pm-4pm
Venue	Kyoto International Manga Museum, 1st Floor Multi-purpose Room
Participants	Tama (illustrator), Terakado Takayuki (painter), Tomizaki NORI (illustrator), and Saeki Kenzo (musician and the producer of this exhibit)
Admission	Free *However, a General Admission ticket to the Museum is required.

This event is held with the generous cooperation of Shimazu Yotaro.

※The panel discussion and "mini-performance" will be broadcast through Ustream.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/kyotomm

About the Cosplay Competition

• The competition is open to cosplayers who are dressed as Ryoma Sakamoto, one of his contemporary political leaders or samurai in the Kyoto area, or any Bakumatsu Period character (including fictional characters).
  *"Bakumatsu Period" refers to a period in Japanese history from 1853 to 1868, when Japan ended its isolationist policy and transitioned from a feudal society to the Meiji Period.
  Cosplayers (people dressed in the costumes of their favorite characters) are encouraged to wear traditional Japanese clothes from that period.
• We welcome cosplay in genres such as "Goth Lolita" that are done in Japanese-style clothing.
• If you want to be included in the judging process by our guest judges, please fill out a form and submit it at the specified location by 1pm. (Participation is free.)
• From 3pm to 4pm the guest judges will comment on each entrant. Please be aware that you will be required to go onstage at that time.
• We will prepare a ladies' changing room. (It can be used from 10am to 1pm, and then from 4pm to 6pm. If it becomes crowded, we may have to limit entrance. We will not have a changing room available for men.)

• Tama's official website: http://tamaxxx.egoism.jp/
• Terakado Takayuki's official website: http://www.terapika.com/
• Tomizaki NORI's official website: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/doll/doll/