Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art

Tosio Arimoto’s love of painting inspired him to leave his prestigious design job at international advertising company Dentsu Inc. to pursue a career in art. Though Arimoto tragically passed away only 10 years after his first exhibition, his brief stint in the professional art world impressed critics and garnered the attention of millions. The techniques incorporated in Arimoto’s poetic and tranquil works echoed those of Italian Renaissance painters who preceded him by several centuries. Though it’s been claimed that this esteemed artist adopted his fresco-inspired style because it reminded him of ancient Japanese Buddhist temple paintings, no one can say for sure exactly what prompted his passion for Western aesthetics. This exhibition features 50 of Arimoto’s paintings, prints, and sculptures, giving viewers a well-rounded insight into his artistic capabilities.