Special Exhibits

Eighty years have passed since Japan’s defeat and the “liberation” of Korea. However, even in this 80th “post-war” year, the history involving Japan and Korea remains unsettled. Historical distortion and denialism—driven by both the government and the private sector—are rampant, and the colonialism and ethnic discrimination against Zainichi Koreans continue to this day. To confront, reflect upon, and take action regarding these historical issues together with all of you, we have organized a traveling exhibition in four locations across Japan (Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka, and Hiroshima) as part of the “TOLPA Project.” The history of aggression and colonial rule over Korea is directly linked to the present. With the conviction that this history must never fade and must never be erased, we are holding these exhibitions to face and remember the truths currently being denied or suppressed in Japan. We hope to contemplate with you what actions we should take now. What is the TOLPA Project? “Tolpa” means “breakthrough” in Korean. It is a project started by Korean and Japanese university students working together to break through the current climate of historical distortion, denialism, and discrimination. The project was launched in 2023, the 100th anniversary of the Korean massacre following the…

This exhibition project is inspired by the struggles of people who left their homeland and created a community in Utoro, Kyoto Prefecture, to build a new life there. Artworks that renew our gaze are gathered here to give hope to countless others who are part of the great migration that is continuing around the globe. Eight billion people live on the planet Earth. Of these, 89 million have been forced to leave their original home or country and live in other lands. Of the 89 million, 27 million are refugees, 4.6 million are asylum seekers and 53 million are internally displaced persons (UNHCR, statistics 2021-2022). The causes of forced displacement vary including wars, civil conflict and natural disasters, or major accidents such as factory explosions, and chemical contamination of water sources; ethnic exclusion, failed economic policies, and maladministration cause further impoverishment and the widening of the North-South economic gap, leading to more waves of migration. In addition to the clearly discernible and arbitrary migration shown in these statistics, we know that there has been a great deal of voluntary migration in search of a ‘better life’ in the modern era, from the late 19th century to the present day. In…

This exhibition project is inspired by the struggles of people who left their homeland and created a community in Utoro, Kyoto Prefecture, to build a new life there. Artworks that renew our gaze are gathered here to give hope to countless others who are part of the great migration that is continuing around the globe. Eight billion people live on the planet Earth. Of these, 89 million have been forced to leave their original home or country and live in other lands. Of the 89 million, 27 million are refugees, 4.6 million are asylum seekers and 53 million are internally displaced persons (UNHCR, statistics 2021-2022). The causes of forced displacement vary including wars, civil conflict and natural disasters, or major accidents such as factory explosions, and chemical contamination of water sources; ethnic exclusion, failed economic policies, and maladministration cause further impoverishment and the widening of the North-South economic gap, leading to more waves of migration. In addition to the clearly discernible and arbitrary migration shown in these statistics, we know that there has been a great deal of voluntary migration in search of a 'better life' in the modern era, from the late 19th century to the present day. In…

For the Utoro Peace Memorial Museum’s very first special exhibit, we picked a theme titled, “The People Who Lived in Utoro,” focusing on the Utoro residents who had passed away before the museum opened. These “People” are the ones we wanted so much to see the memorial museum more than anyone else. With the intention of reminiscing those who devoted themselves to protect the community and residents for a long time, we will share their popular life stories and moments among the Utoro residents and supporters using their figures and expressions in photographs. We hope you will also feel the meaning of these former residents’ lives and histories in this exhibit catalogue.

"We love the demonstrations of Utoro residents, with the Nongak Group at the front. They are absolutely the coolest!“* Before, in Utoro, countless gatherings were held to defend both the land and the way of life. At those gatherings, the stirring beat of Nongak―the rhythms born on the Korean Peninsula, brought to Japan, and have since taken root here―filled the air. Utoro’s Nongak began with its women as the torchbearers. It was after words like 'eviction,' 'lawsuit,' and 'struggle' were suddenly thrust upon them—amid their long days of labor for their families and raising their children and grandchildren—that they found in Nongak a means to express their resistance. Out of this crucible of challenge to protect their land and home, the women forged a "voice"―Utoro’s Nongak, the musical expression of resistance and hope. Whether they led the protest marches through the main streets of Kyoto or emerged as the center of attention for an audience gathered to learn about Utoro through their performance, the Nongak Group moved countless hearts. To know Utoro is to know its Nongak. Through this exhibition, we hope you will encounter the spirited legacy of Nongak as it was first set in motion by these determined…

In Arabic, there are two words that mean "resistance." One refers to armed resistance, while the other signifies a different kind of resistance—one where, no matter how many times you are struck down, you rise again and refuse to back down, standing firm no matter what. This is called "Sumud."In 2005, Juliano Mer-Khamis, an actor with both Jewish and Palestinian roots, visited the Utoro district. When he signed a signboard in Utoro, he wrote this word, "Sumud." The signboard in Utoro carried messages such as "Utoro is our home," "Even if bulldozers come, we will stay here," and "We will live here, and we will die here." Reflecting on these words, Juliano said, "How many times have I heard the same words from the first-generation refugees in the Jenin refugee camp? This is Sumud. Knowing that there are people in Japan fighting the same fight as us gives us courage and strengthens our resolve."