Issei Photography Exhibition at JAA
The Japanese American Association of New York presents First Generation of Japanese Americans in New York in 1970s and 1980s, a photo exhibition of works by photographer Hiroyuki Inoue.
First Generation of Japanese Americans in New York in 1970s and 1980s
Now through Saturday, November 15 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. (Monday-Friday) & 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. (November 15)
The Japanese American Association of New York – 49 W. 45th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), 5th Floor
Admission: Free
The Japanese American Association of New York presents First Generation of Japanese Americans in New York in 1970s and 1980s, a photo exhibition of works by photographer Hiroyuki Inoue.
Inoue is known for documenting the lives of Issei in New York with bold black-and-white photography, and the exhibition features photographs of approximately 60 seniors who lived in the 1970s and 1980s. Some of the photos are displayed with interviews of the photographed person. This is a special opportunity to see the pioneers of our community and learn about their lives in New York.
Gallery Hours
JAA – 49 W. 45th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues in Manhattan
Operating hours: Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Special hours on Saturday, November 15 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
For more information, please visit JAA’s website.
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Immersive ONE PIECE Exhibition at Mercer Labs in Downtown NYC
Legendary studio Toei Animation and Mercer Labs, Museum of Art and Technology, unveiled ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS, a groundbreaking immersive exhibition celebrating the iconic ONE PIECE anime franchise.
Image courtesy: ©Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha, Toei Animation
ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS
Thursday, October 9, 2025 through Sunday, November 30, 2025
Mercer Labs – 21 Dey Street (between Church Street and Broadway)
Admission: $75 VIP | $55 General Admission | $50 for Students, Seniors (65+), and Children (4-17)
On Thursday, October 9, legendary studio Toei Animation and Mercer Labs, Museum of Art and Technology, unveiled ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS, a groundbreaking immersive exhibition celebrating the iconic ONE PIECE anime franchise. Taking place at Mercer Labs (21 Dey Street, in downtown Manhattan), this highly anticipated experience will open to the public through Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Based on the globally beloved and best-selling manga of all time created by Eiichiro Oda and brought to life by Toei Animation, the iconic ONE PIECE episodic series follows pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Crew on their epic quest to find the “One Piece,” the legendary treasure of Gol D. Roger, former King of the Pirates. Now more than 25 years since the series debuted on Japanese TV in 1999, ONE PIECE has taken its place in mainstream pop culture as one of the most successful and enduring anime franchises of all time, attracting millions of fans of all ages around the world. Today, the franchise currently spans 15 feature films, multiple video games, a trading card game, and an ever-growing catalog of licensed merchandise and location-based entertainment.
“At Mercer Labs, we’re revolutionizing the art experience — and for me, that begins with forging bold, creative alliances that shatter conventions,” says Nasir Dean, manager of special projects at Mercer Labs. “Partnering with Toei Animation on ONE PIECE was an instinctive choice — it’s a legendary brand that has ignited imaginations worldwide. Now, we’re inviting fans to immerse themselves in its universe through a dynamic fusion of culture, cutting-edge innovation, and breathtaking sensory exploration.”
“This partnership is a true meeting of worlds — legendary storytelling and next-generation technology,” said Roy Nachum, co-founder and Creative Director of Mercer Labs. “With ONE PIECE, we're not just displaying animation. We’re inviting fans to experience the artistry, imagination, and enduring spirit of the series in an entirely new way.”
Image courtesy: ©Eiichiro Oda/Shueisha, Toei Animation
The ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS exhibition will include exclusive installations, behind-the-scenes production artwork, immersive digital environments, and interactive experiences that celebrate the epic saga of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Crew.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Mercer Labs to create ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS and bring this cutting-edge immersive ONE PIECE location-based entertainment experience to fans in New York City,” said Lisa Yamatoya, Senior Director and Head of Marketing at Toei Animation Inc. “For over 25 years, ONE PIECE has been delighting audiences of all ages around the world with the imaginative storytelling and colorful characters by Creator Eiichiro Oda. And now, ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS will offer guests an exclusive limited-time opportunity to be immersed in the world of ONE PIECE and experience it like never before. Whether an existing fan or newcomer, you will not want to miss this one-of-a-kind and truly unforgettable ONE PIECE event!”
Ticket Pricing Breakdown
VIP: $75 (includes free mochi, a customized beverage, and a commemorative poster)
General Admission: $55
Students, Seniors (65+) and Children (4-17): $50
Groups of 10+ are 10% off. For group questions, contact Groups@mercerlabs.com.
Individual tickets for ONE PIECE x MERCER LABS are on-sale now. For tickets, visit www.mercerlabs.com, or call the box office at 212-600-9009.
Mercer Labs Hours
Monday - Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Thursday - Sunday: 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
ABOUT TOEI ANIMATION
Toei Animation Inc. is based in Los Angeles and manages the distribution of Toei Animation’s top properties, including franchise series Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, ONE PIECE, Digimon, Saint Seiya, and many others, to North America, Latin America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, Toei Animation’s Los Angeles office also oversees all categories of consumer product licensing based on its film and television brands within these territories. For more information, please visit toei-animation-usa.com.
ABOUT MERCER LABS
Mercer Labs is a cultural institution that pushes the boundaries between art and technology. A space for experimentation and innovation, Mercer Labs is committed to redefining the museum experience, where art and technology constantly progress, serving as a center for the convergence of art, culture, and technology through immersive exhibitions, interactive experiences, and forward-thinking collaborations. As a collaborative platform, Mercer Labs fosters partnerships with artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and creatives creating an ecosystem where diverse forms of creative expression thrive. For more information, please visit www.mercerlabs.com.
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Miné Okubo’s Portraits at SEIZAN Gallery NYC
Miné Okubo, Untitled, 1940s from SEIZAN Gallery
Miné Okubo: Portraits
Now through Saturday, March 1
SEIZAN Gallery – 525 W. 26th Street (between 10th and 11th Avenues), Ground Floor
Admission: Free
SEIZAN Gallery is presenting Miné Okubo: Portraits, the gallery's first solo exhibition featuring work by one of the most influential Japanese American artists of the 20th Century. Until March 1, 2025, works by Okubo will be on public display, some for the first time, including eleven portraits completed in the late 1940s. Okubo achieved early success as an artist and continued to be extraordinarily prolific throughout her life until her death in 2001. She is most renowned for Citizen 13660, a groundbreaking memoir that combines visual art and narrative to record her experience living in Japanese American internment camps during World War II.
About Miné Okubo
Born in Riverside, California, in 1912, Miné Okubo was a nisei, or second-generation Japanese American. After earning an MFA in art and anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley, she was awarded the prestigious Bertha Taussig Fellowship to study in Paris under Fernand Léger. When World War II broke out, Okubo returned to the United States in 1939 on the last ship from Europe. Back in California, she contributed to mural projects under the Federal Art Project and curated exhibitions.
From 1942 to 1944, Okubo was detained at the Tanforan Relocation Center in San Bruno, California, and at the Topaz Internment Camp in Utah. While in these camps, she created more than 2,000 drawings using charcoal, watercolor, pen, and ink. During this time she taught art to others in the incarcerated population, alongside Chiura Obata and other notable artists. Published in 1946, Citizen 13660 includes nearly 200 illustrations documenting daily life in the camps. It received the American Book Award in 1984.
Miné Okubo, Untitled, 1940s from SEIZAN Gallery
Life and Work in New York City
After her release from Topaz in 1944, Okubo relocated to New York City, where she went on to have a successful career as a commercial illustrator for prestigious publications such as The New York Times, LIFE, and Fortune while continuing her painting practice. Her debut assignment was illustrating the magazine's April 1944 "Japan" issue. Portraits—especially of women and children—remained a central focus of her work. In "Personal Statement" she wrote "From the beginning, my work has been rooted in a concern for the humanities."
The eleven portraits featured in this exhibition were created in the late 1940s, just a few years after Okubo’s release from the camps. These bold, powerful works share stylistic connections with her earlier charcoal drawings from the internment period, which are also displayed in the gallery. While her camp drawings often convey the despair and trauma of the incarcerated, the later portraits—rendered in colorful pastel—capture energy, strength, and compassion. The anonymous figures exude vitality and humanity, celebrating everyday life and signal an early transition to Okubo's iconic, color-rich style.
Recognition and Legacy
Her contributions have been recognized in numerous ways. In 1965, CBS-TV featured her in the documentary Nisei: The Pride and the Shame. In 1972, her first retrospective was held at the Oakland Museum. In 1981, Okubo testified before the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC), advocating for the inclusion of internment history in educational curricula.
Okubo’s works are now archived at the Center for Social Justice & Civil Liberties at Riverside Community College District and featured in prominent museum collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Japanese American National Museum, and the Oakland Museum. Her legacy endures in exhibitions like The View from Within curated by Karin Higa in 1992 at the Japanese American National Museum as well as on-going group exhibition Pictures of Belonging: Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo at the Smithsonian American Art Museum curated by ShiPu Wang through August 17, 2025.
SEIZAN Gallery
Located in Chelsea, SEIZAN’s hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Sunday and Monday by appointment. For more information, please visit SEIZAN Gallery’s website.
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Renowned Japanese Doll maker to Exhibit at The Nippon Club
Harmony of Artistry: Japanese Kyugetsu Dolls and Traditional Crafts
Thursday, November 14 until Wednesday, November 20
The Nippon Gallery – 145 W. 57th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)
Admission: Free
Founded during the Tenpo era of the Edo period in 1835, Kyugetsu is a renowned Japanese doll maker with a legacy that spans 189 years. The company will hold a special exhibition at The Nippon Gallery. Kyugetsu is celebrated for its exceptional craftsmanship, creating hina and gogatsu dolls that have long been integral to Japan’s seasonal festivals. The company’s unique strength lies in its “ensemble craftsmanship,” which involves meticulously assembling each artisan’s work into beautifully balanced sets.
Samurai Helmet Decoration Kyoto Style by Kyugetsu
This exhibition will showcase carefully selected masterpieces from Kyugetsu. It will highlight the beauty of Japanese traditional crafts, including dolls created using traditional techniques rooted in various regions of Japan, such as gold leaf, lacquer, dyeing, and weaving. These Japanese dolls exemplify "the harmony of artistry," embodying the essence of traditional craftsmanship.
Such dolls include Hina dolls, which are traditional Japanese dolls displayed in March for Girls’ Day. These dolls represent the imperial court and are meant to wish for health and happiness for girls. There are also Gogatsu dolls (May dolls), which are traditional Japanese dolls displayed in May for Children’s Day. These dolls represent samurai warriors and are meant to wish for strength and good health for boys. Additionally, guests will see elegant Oyama dolls that represent the grace of women, as well as vibrant Renjishi dolls inspired by classical performing arts.
Japan has a long-standing tradition of gifting dolls to celebrate occasions like births and weddings. Beyond mere toys or decorations, dolls are cherished symbols of Japanese culture and customs. Harmony of Artistry offers an exceptional opportunity to appreciate the culmination of Japanese traditional crafts through dolls while also experiencing the spirit of Japan that has been passed down through generations.
Oyama Doll "Tayu" by Kyugetsu
Renjishi Dolls by Kyugetsu
Kimekomi Decoration "Anima Rhinoceros" by Kyugetsu
The Nippon Club Gallery Hours
Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday
For more information, please visit The Gallery’s website or contact the Gallery at 212-581-2223.
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JAPANESE MANGA ARTIST & ILLUSTRATOR ACKY BRIGHT FEATURED AT JAPAN SOCIETY
Acky Bright: Studio Infinity
Friday, October 4 through Sunday, January 19, 2025
Japan Society – 333 E. 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)
Admission: $12 nonmembers | $10 students and seniors | Free First Fridays from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Japan Society presents Acky Bright: Studio Infinity, a showcase of the rising star’s unique kawakakkoii (cute and cool) style of illustration and product design. A distinguished Japanese manga artist and illustrator, Acky Bright is known for his unique worldbuilding.
Conceived as Acky Bright’s design studio, the exhibition offers visitors an exceptional opportunity to meet the artist, witness his freestyle “live drawing,” and participate in making a series of manga-style murals. Performative and interactive, the exhibition, which previewed during the weekend of Anime NYC in August, will evolve as Acky Bright makes intermittent appearances in the gallery.
The exhibition will feature two new painting series by Acky Bright, KBK-18, and Ah-Un, that each draw inspiration from traditional Japanese art and theater. Underscoring the impressive range of his contemporary art practice, the show will also highlight Acky Bright’s promotional campaigns designed for major companies, including his multimedia designs for the nationwide “WcDonald’s” campaign, YOASOBI x Vaundy’s FRIES BEAT 2024 music video, and Squid Game coloring book illustrated for Netflix.
Gallery Information
Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Closed on major holidays
Tickets include entry to both of Japan Society’s fall exhibitions, Acky Bright: Studio Infinity and Bunraku Backstage. To purchase tickets, please visit Japan Society’s website.
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Japan Society Spotlights Women Artists
Image: Products for Fluxus editions, 1964.
Digital Image © The Museum of Modern Art/Licensed by SCALA / Art Resource, NY
Out of Bounds: Japanese Women Artists in Fluxus
Friday, October 13 through Sunday, January 21
Japan Society – 333 E. 47th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues)
Admission: $12 | $10 Seniors and Students | Free Japan Society Members
Japan Society’s latest exhibition, Out of Bounds: Japanese Women Artists in Fluxus, explores the essential role of Japanese women in Fluxus, a movement instigated in the 1960s that helped contemporary artists define new modes of artistic expression. Near the 60th anniversary of the movement’s founding, this exhibition highlights the contributions of four pioneering Japanese artists: Shigeko Kubota, Yoko Ono, Takako Saito, and Mieko Shiomi. Displays of their works and the ephemera surrounding it contextualize their place within Fluxus and the broader artistic movements of the 1960s and beyond.
Out of Bounds: Japanese Women Artists in Fluxus is organized by guest curator Midori Yoshimoto and Tiffany Lambert, Curator and Interim Director, Japan Society, with Ayaka Iida, Assistant Curator, Japan Society.
For full details and to book your tickets, please visit Japan Society’s website.
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