"The Takashi Yanase Exhibition: Life is a Game of Making People Happy," which traces the creative trajectory of Takashi Yanase, known as the creator of "Anpanman," will be held at the Setagaya Literary Museum in Tokyo from June 30th (Tuesday) to September 6th (Sunday).
Takashi Yanase
Photo courtesy of the Yanase Takashi Memorial Anpanman Museum Foundation.
Cover illustration for the April 1979 issue of "Poetry and Fairy Tales": "The heat haze is the smoke from a pipe, shimmering in the spring."
©Takashi Yanase (Collection of the Takashi Yanase Memorial Anpanman Museum Foundation)
This exhibition is the first large-scale touring exhibition to comprehensively introduce the work of Takashi Yanase, who had many facets to his personality, including being a manga artist, poet, picture book author, illustrator, designer, and editor. Centered around approximately 200 original drawings, the exhibition is organized into five themes: "A Grand Dissection of Takashi Yanase," "Manga," "Poetry," "Picture Books/Yanase's Fairy Tales," and "Anpanman."
"Next to Despair" (Year of production unknown)
©Takashi Yanase (Collection of the Takashi Yanase Memorial Anpanman Museum Foundation)
"Duel at Sunset" (1998)
©Takashi Yanase (Collection of the Takashi Yanase Memorial Anpanman Museum Foundation)
Having experienced the horrors of war, been separated from his family, and encountered various people, Takashi Yanase constantly questioned himself, "Why was I born, and what should I do with my life?" This contemplation led him to the image of a hero who, even if it's not glamorous, can offer a single loaf of bread, an anpan (sweet bean paste bun), to someone truly in need.
"Tenohira o Taiyou ni" (The palm of my hand to the sun) - Production year unknown
©Takashi Yanase (Collection of the Takashi Yanase Memorial Anpanman Museum Foundation)
"Anpanman Legend" "Baikinman Appears" 1997
©Takashi Yanase (Collection of the Takashi Yanase Memorial Anpanman Museum Foundation)
Yanase was a top-notch entertainer who found his greatest joy in life in "making people happy." Why not take a moment to rediscover his charm by exploring the philosophy and worldview that underlies the works that have brought dreams and courage to children?
Cover illustration for the February 1976 issue of "Ichigo Ehon" (Strawberry Picture Book): "Snow Angel February Issue"
©Takashi Yanase (Collection of the Takashi Yanase Memorial Anpanman Museum Foundation)
"The Gentle Lion" (1975)
©Takashi Yanase (Collection of the Takashi Yanase Memorial Anpanman Museum Foundation)
◆Takashi Yanase Exhibition: Life is a Game of Making Others Happy
[Period] June 30, 2026 (Tuesday) - September 6, 2026 (Sunday)
[Venue] Setagaya Literary Museum (1-10-10 Minami-Karasuyama, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo)
[Hours] 10:00 AM - 18:00 PM (Exhibition admission and museum shop close at 17:30 PM)
[Closed days] Every Monday *However, if Monday is a public holiday, the museum will be open and closed the following day.
[Admission Fee] General admission: 1,500 yen, Seniors (65 and over), University students, High school students: 900 yen, Junior high school students and younger: Free
*For those with a disability certificate, the fee is 750 yen. *However, admission is free for university students and younger.
*Admission is free for those 65 years and older on Friday, July 3, 2026.
