The first Tokyo Olympics were held in 1964. Wanting to share the brilliance of Japanese art with the people visiting from all parts of the world, we hosted the “Exhibition of Japanese Old Art Treasures in Tokyo Olympic Games”, which was to become the first of the current Special Triennial Tobi Art Fair exhibitions. With his deep knowledge of art, Prince Mikasa acted as president, and Avery Brundage, who was a collector of Japanese art and then president of the International Olympic Committee, took time out of his busy schedule to visit the exhibition and enjoy the works of art on display only two days before the opening ceremony of the games.

And now, some 57 years later, we launch the 21st Special Triennial Tobi Art Fair. As with the inaugural exhibition, we have scheduled the fair for the same year as the Tokyo Olympics, and with some 55 galleries exhibiting masterpieces of the highest level, we have even greater participation than previous years.

Though normally one can only view art in museums through glass barriers, here attendees may view a great number of works close up, and even have the opportunity to take them in hand with a simple request.

On this occasion, we have also planned a special exhibition in the third floor National Treasure and Important Cultural Property Room, entitled “The Gaze of Beauty”, featuring masterpieces from the Tokyo National Museum that have passed through and adorned the rooms of the Tokyo Art Club. It is our sincerest wish that a great number of art lovers will accept our invitation and attend the show.

2021 Fall