Picasso’s art meets bonsai tradition in Tokyo through “mitate”

On December 8, Yokumoku Museum will host a special workshop titled “Picasso de Art,” which combines Picasso’s artistic vision with the traditional Japanese craft of bonsai. This event, part of the museum’s ongoing efforts to promote creativity through direct engagement with art, will provide participants with an immersive cultural experience.

The workshop coincides with the “Picasso Ceramics: The Art of MITATE” exhibition, which examines how Picasso reimagined and repurposed forms in his ceramics and sculptures. The exhibit draws connections to the Japanese concept of “mitate,” which involves the creative reinterpretation of objects. By transforming ordinary vases into bird sculptures or round plates into bullfighting arenas or faces, Picasso’s works reveal his playful use of symbolism and experimentation during the postwar era.

The event will kick off with a guided tour led by Kanako Obata, the museum’s chief education curator. Participants will delve into Picasso’s ceramics and explore how “mitate” influenced his creative process. Following the tour, attendees will get the chance to create their own bonsai, inspired by Japan’s approach to reimagining traditional forms.

Kanta Hirota, a bonsai expert from Omiya Bonsai Village’s Fujijuen, will lead the bonsai-making segment. Hirota, dedicated to passing down the art of bonsai to future generations, will assist participants in applying the concept of “mitate” to bonsai creation. The workshop aims to inspire participants to discover their own artistic reinterpretations, merging elements of Picasso’s techniques with the bonsai tradition.