【Marutto Nakano】Shadai Gallery: A Tranquil Art Spot with Free Admission

Exhibition room of Shadai Gallery (Photo courtesy of Shadai Gallery)

Greetings! I’m KanaNaka, and I’m honored to begin my role as a Nakano Tourism Reporter in 2025. Throughout the year, I’ll be introducing you to some of Nakano’s most captivating spots, with a special focus on art and culture－two of my greatest passions. I hope you enjoy the journey.
Let me ask you this－
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a photographer after someone praised your photos, saying, “You have a great eye,” or when you felt you had captured a truly remarkable shot?
So, what kind of photographs do professionals actually create?
You might just find the answer at Shadai Gallery, located right here in Nakano City.

Hosoe Eikoh, “Barakei” (Ordeal by Roses) series (Photo courtesy of Shadai Gallery)

Shadai Gallery is a photography gallery affiliated with Tokyo Polytechnic University, which traces its origins to the Konishi Professional School of Photography－Japan’s first institution dedicated to photographic education.
The gallery houses approximately 14,000 outstanding photographic works from both Japan and abroad. In 2023, it was officially recognized as a “museum-equivalent facility” by the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education.
Open to the public throughout the year, the gallery offers free access to a rich array of compelling photographic exhibitions.
What makes this space truly unique is its focus on “original prints” ーphotographic works that serve as the photographer’s final medium of expression. These works allow visitors to directly connect with the artists’ intentions and aesthetic sensibilities embedded in each image.

Hosoe Eikoh, “Kamaitachi” series (Photo courtesy of Shadai Gallery)

The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Shadai Gallery. To commemorate this milestone, the gallery is currently hosting the “Hosoe Eikoh Memorial Photography Exhibition.” We had the privilege of being guided through the exhibition by Ms. Fukao, the curator.
The exhibition is divided into two rooms. Upon entering the softly lit main gallery, visitors are greeted by 43 works created between the 1960s and 1990s. These include the iconic “Barakei” (Ordeal by Roses) series, featuring the novelist Mishima Yukio, and the “Kocho no Yume” (Butterfly Dream) series, which documents over 40 years of collaboration with Butoh dancer Ohno Kazuo.

Hosoe Eikoh, “Kocho no Yume” (Butterfly Dream) series (Photo courtesy of Shadai Gallery)

Standing before these works, I was struck by a palpable shift in atmosphere－as if the very air had changed.
This profound sensation is the power of “original prints.” It offered me a renewed appreciation for the expressive depth and artistry of professional photographers.

Exhibition Room 1 displays materials and commemorative photos related to Hosoe Eikoh (Photo courtesy of Shadai Gallery)

Shadai Gallery was founded in 1975 at what was then the Tokyo College of Photography (now Tokyo Polytechnic University), based on a proposal by internationally renowned photographer and university professor Hosoe Eikoh.
The gallery takes its name from the university’s abbreviation, “Shadai.”
When Hosoe assumed his role as professor, he strongly advocated for the importance of viewing original photographic prints firsthand as part of photography education.
This approach emphasizes the value of interpreting a photographer’s perspective, composition, and expressive intent－skills essential to developing a keen photographic eye.
At the time, Hosoe’s vision was remarkably forward-thinking in Japan.
Shadai Gallery stands as a pioneering initiative－one that could only have been realized through the leadership of Tokyo Polytechnic University, a trailblazer in Japanese photography education.

Materials highlighting Hosoe’s international activities (Photo courtesy of Shadai Gallery)

Thanks to the passion and extensive network of Hosoe, the gallery has collected numerous valuable original prints－not only from prominent Japanese photographers such as Domon Ken and Moriyama Daido, but also from internationally acclaimed artists, particularly from the United States.
The collection has continued to grow even after Hosoe’s retirement.
These works are showcased in special exhibitions held about four times a year.
If you have any questions about the exhibited works, feel free to speak with the gallery staff, who are always available to assist. In addition, talk events are held in conjunction with the exhibitions, and all visitors are welcome to attend.
You might also enjoy the annual exhibition presenting award-winning works from the Tokyo Polytechnic University Photo Contest. Be sure to visit if you have the chance.

Through my conversation with curator Ms. Fukao, who kindly guided me through the gallery, I was deeply moved by gallery’s passion and respect for photography, as well as their sincere hope that many people will come to appreciate photographic art.

Why not take the opportunity to experience the wonders of photography for yourself at Shadai Gallery?

Details about current exhibitions and talk events are available on the official Shadai Gallery website.

The “Eikoh Hosoe Memorial Photography Exhibition” is open until Saturday, June 7th.

The next exhibition will feature the work of American photographer Wynn Bullock. Interestingly, the very first exhibition ever held at Shadai Gallery was also dedicated to Wynn Bullock.

As Shadai Gallery celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025, what new photographic encounters might await us? The anticipation is building.

Thanks for reading－this was KanaNaka, your Nakano Tourism Reporter.