BB Plaza Museum of Art

In the realm of art, nudity never loses its power. The female image has been an essential focus throughout the history of Western painting and remains a key motif to this day. Female nudes have appeared in Japanese art since ancient times, but came under the influence of Western artistic standards and physical ideals beginning in the Meiji era. Japanese creators of erotic art choose to represent the feminine form not only for its carnal aesthetic appeal, but to highlight its spiritual associations as well. This exhibition introduces oil paintings, prints, and sculptures that embody artistic expressions of feminine beauty from the Meiji period through to the present. Also on display are works by Hiroshi Matsumoto, a Kobe-based artist who places equal attention on the physical body and the psychology of the human mind.

Feminine Reflections of Time • Until Jun 18 • Open: 10am–6pm • Closed: Mon • Admission: ¥400 • Access: Hanshin line, Iwaya Stn, 1-min walk • Tel: 078-802-9286 • bbpmuseum.jp