Reinterpreting Tradition Through the Pine Tree: Masaki Matsuura Solo Exhibition “Myōmyaku (Lifeline)” Opens January 10 in Omotesando
2026.01.05
A solo exhibition by Masaki Matsuura, Myōmyaku (Lifeline), curated by Yasunori Yonehara, will open at tHE GALLERY OMOTESANDO on Saturday, January 10, 2026.
Artist Statement
The pine tree, a motif repeatedly depicted throughout the history of Japanese art, functions not only as a symbol of tradition but also as a vessel that carries and transmits a continuous spiritual lineage. For me, living in the present day, constructing and expressing my own impressions and sensations of the pine within the framework of Nihonga naturally leads to a reinterpretation of tradition, connecting my work to the ever-evolving context of Japanese art history.
In this exhibition, works created with the same motif yet influenced by different periods—past and present—are brought together. By situating each work within its respective context, I aim to gain a panoramic view of my own position in relation to history and artistic lineage, shaped by differing perspectives.
— Masaki Matsuura
Curator’s Comment
Masaki Matsuura is an artist who has continually explored the motif of the pine tree—long depicted throughout the history of Japanese art—by overlaying it with his own contemporary sensibilities and gaze.
For Matsuura, the pine is not merely a symbol of tradition, but an entity that embodies the spiritual and vital currents passed down across generations. While employing the techniques and materials of Nihonga, he does not subordinate himself to them. Instead, he reconsiders the movement of pigment and brush as extensions of breath and bodily gesture, quietly confronting the act of “painting” itself.
Myōmyaku (Lifeline) is an attempt to juxtapose works born from different times and influences, all centered on the same motif of the pine. Within this space, the spirit of painting that predates the very term “Nihonga” intersects with the self-awareness of a single artist living and painting in the present moment.
Rooted firmly in tradition yet never confined to the past, Matsuura’s pines direct their gaze toward the “next season” in which life continues to unfold. As the title Myōmyaku suggests, these works quietly bring into relief the enduring power inherent in the act of painting itself, along with a tangible sense of what it means to live.
— Yasunori Yonehara
Profile
Masaki Matsuura
Japanese-style painter (Nihonga)
Born in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, 2002
2021 Enrolled in the Japanese Painting Course, Department of Fine Art Expression, Nagoya Zokei University
2025 Graduated from the Japanese Painting Course, Department of Fine Art Expression, Nagoya Zokei University
Instagram: @masa_ki081
X: @takusanokinako
Exhibition Information
Title: Masaki Matsuura Solo Exhibition “Myōmyaku (Lifeline)”
Dates: January 10 (Sat) – February 1 (Sun), 2026
Venue: tHE GALLERY OMOTESANDO
(SIX HARAJUKU TERRACE S, 2F, 5-16-13 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
Hours: 12:00–19:00
Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays
Open on Monday, January 12 (national holiday); Closed on Wednesday, January 14
Opening Reception
Date & Time: Sunday, January 11, 18:00–20:00
Venue: tHE GALLERY OMOTESANDO
Free admission / Open to the public