2025 Japan Foundation ‘ETHEREAL’ Exhibition: Interpretations of the Ryugujo Myth An Art Exhibition Exploring the Mythical Dragon Palace from EastNEW

The Ryūgūjо̄ [竜宮城], or Dragon Palace, is a mythical undersea kingdom in East Asian folklore, often depicted as a magnificent, otherworldly palace beneath the ocean. In Japan, the legend of Ryūgūjо̄ appears in classical Japanese literature, including the Manyо̄shū (compiled in the late 8th century), Heiji Monogatari (compiled in the late 12th century), and Genpei Seisuiki (compiled in the late 13th century). In these stories, the palace is ruled by the dragon king Ryūjin [竜神], a powerful sea deity who controls the tides and storms. The story of Ryūgūjо̄ reflects the transience of life, the beauty of fleeting moments, and the connection between myth and reality.

The myth has inspired many interpretations, with locations across Japan claiming ties to the Ryūgūjо̄. Some of these places include Kagoshima, Okinawa (Ryūkyū), Nagasaki, Miyagi, and Shiga, regions closely connected to major bodies of water. In these areas, you can also find paintings, statues, temples, shrines, and tourist attractions inspired by the Ryūgūjо̄, showing how people have woven various stories from the same legend over generations.

In this exhibition, ETHEREAL: Interpretations of the Ryūgūjо̄ Myth by Dwight Hwang and Miki Yokoyama, two artists reimagine this myth through their practices of Gyotaku (fish prints) and mix media, exploring the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth beneath the waves.

This exhibition unites two artists, Hwang and Yokoyama, whose contrasting practices are brought together by a shared fascination with the deep sea’s ethereal world. Despite having never met before, their collaboration was curated to explore the intersection of tradition, imagination, and the mysteries of underwater life.

For the first time, the artists collaborated to create five special works. Hwang’s gyotaku of marine life are reimagined by layers of Yokoyama’s acrylic paintings. The result is a mesmerizing blend of the real and the fantastical. Yokoyama’s paintings and sculptures construct a dreamlike seascape in which Hwang’s printed fish reside with vibrant lifelikeness, inviting viewers to imagine the mythical Ryūgūjо̄ as a realm still hidden in the ocean's depths.

Dates
Jan 21 - Mar 15 , 2025

Time
Mon-Sat: 12:00pm-6:00pm, Closed on Sundays and Holidays (February 8 and 27)

Admission
Free