Shuji Terayama and Avant-Garde Posters Exhibition at Hikarie, Shibuya

The "Shuji Terayama and Japanese Avant-Garde Posters Exhibition" will be held at Shibuya Hikarie from October 9th to October 18th, 2026. This exhibition offers a chance to re-experience the fervor of underground culture, spearheaded by Shuji Terayama, who would have celebrated his 90th birthday this year.

The Impact of Terayama Shuji and Avant-Garde Posters

Shuji Terayama, who called himself a "professional Shuji Terayama," was a multi-talented creator active as a poet, playwright, and film director. His formation of "Tenjo Sajiki" in 1967 ignited the passion of young audiences with his groundbreaking avant-garde theater. This exhibition focuses on the bold and innovative posters created by prominent artists such as Tadanori Yokoo, a founding member of Tenjo Sajiki, along with Akilaro Uno and Kazuichi Hanawa. These posters transcended mere announcements, becoming powerful artistic statements that symbolized the troupe's spirit and shook the era.

Terayama passed away at the young age of 47 in 1983, but his revolutionary expressions remain vibrant, continuing to captivate new generations even today. The exhibition will feature not only precious items like handwritten manuscripts and play scripts by Terayama (not for sale) but also performance posters and flyers from contemporary avant-garde theater groups such as "Gekidan Shingekijo" led by Karto Junjyu and "Ankoku Butoh" represented by Tatsumi Hijikata, alongside those from Tenjo Sajiki.

Exhibition Highlights and Special Tour

Artworks by numerous talented artists are slated for display, including, but not limited to, Genpei Akasegawa, Kiyoshi Awazu, Akilaro Uno, Katsuhiro Otomo, Kuniyoshi Kaneko, Sawako Goda, Ikko Tanaka, Shuji Terayama, Kazuichi Hanawa, Seiichi Hayashi, Koga Hirano, Katsuyuki Shinohara, Tadanori Yokoo, and Makoto Wada. Visitors can immerse themselves in the intense world of avant-garde culture where rebellious talents clashed.

A special gallery tour will be held on October 15th (Thursday) at 6:00 PM, delving into the allure of Shuji Terayama and avant-garde theater posters. Guided by dramaturg Hiroyuki Sasame, participants will explore the exhibition venue and gain deeper insights into the works. This is a valuable opportunity to hear behind-the-scenes stories from the musical "Lion THE LION-BEAT," based on Terayama's work, which is being performed at THEATER MILANO-Za. The tour is free of charge and limited to 30 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Please visit the Bunkamura Gallery website for application details.

Event Details

• Event Title: Shuji Terayama and Japanese Avant-Garde Posters Exhibition
• Venue: Bunkamura Gallery 8/
• Dates: October 9 (Thu) - October 18 (Sun), 2026
• Time: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• Admission: Free
• Gallery Tour: October 15 (Thu), 2026, 6:00 PM (approx. 90 mins, free, reservation required, first 30 people)

Access Information

• Venue Address: 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Shibuya Hikarie)
• Nearest Station: JR Shibuya Station / Tokyo Metro Shibuya Station

This exhibition is an excellent opportunity to experience the excitement of avant-garde culture and the captivating poster art that defined it. Admission is free, so be sure to visit Shibuya Hikarie. Advance booking is required for the gallery tour. Please check the official Bunkamura Gallery website for further details.