News
BASE GALLERY HAKATA is pleased to announce a solo exhibition by Hitoshi Karasawa, a preeminent figure in Japanese wood engraving. This exhibition will feature the debut of his new print collection, OPERA—his first wood engraving collection in 25 years. In addition to the collection, the gallery will display individual prints, wood carvings, and drawings.
We invite you to join us in experiencing the latest evolution of Hitoshi Karasawa’s artistry.
Underworld (Orfeo ed Euridice): From the print portfolio OPERA
2025-2026 | Wood Engraving | 13 x 18 cm
Lily 1–14: From the cover illustrations for The Definitive Edition:
The Collected Works of Yukio Mishima (Includes 16 original pen drawings)
2000 | Pen on tracing paper | 40 x 32.5cm
【Exhibition Details】
Exhibition Period: Friday, May 15 – Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Hours: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Closed: Wednesdays and National Holidays
Venue: BASE GALLERY HAKATA
1F Glam Building Gokosho-machi, 5-27 Gokosho-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka
Admission: Free
【Special Event: Gramophone Record Concert】
To celebrate the publication of the new print portfolio “OPERA,” we are pleased to host a special SP record concert (paid admission) on Saturday, May 23rd.With the collaboration of Mr. Hideki Umeda (from “Umeya Gramophones”), we will play music related to this exhibition on vintage gramophones, followed by a talk session between Mr. Umeda and the artist, Hitoshi Karasawa.
This is a rare opportunity to experience the soulful sound of a gramophone alongside the world of the “OPERA” portfolio. We look forward to your visit.
Event Overview
Venue: BASE GALLERY HAKATA
Date & Time: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Show Starts: 5:00 PM (Doors open 30 minutes prior)
Admission: 3,000 JPY (Please pay at the venue on the day of the event)
Capacity: 20 guests (Reservation required; first-come, first-served)
Special Gift: Guests will receive a Special Edition Exhibition Leaflet. This limited edition features a print of the frontispiece from “OPERA” on the exhibition leaflet and includes the artist’s signature.
Special edition exhibition leaflet (image)
Program (Selected Tracks)
Vivaldi: Suite in A Major
Mozart: “Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen” (Queen of the Night Aria) from The Magic Flute
…and more (8 tracks total planned)
Equipment: HMV model 179, HMV model 102
How to Reserve
Please book via phone or email.
Phone: 092-600-1193
Email: info@basegallery.com
When emailing, please use the subject line “Concert Reservation Request” and include the following:
・Full Name
・Number of Guests
・Phone Number
*Note: Reservations will be closed once the capacity (20 guests) is reached.
【Artist Profile】
1950: Born in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture.
1971: Entered Sokei Academy of Fine Arts (Printmaking Dept.); studied wood engraving under Takao Hiwasaki, and copperplate engraving and print theory under Kiyomi Kato.
1973: Received the Newcomer’s Award at the Japan Print Association Exhibition.
［Major Illustrations］
Collected Short Stories of Otohiko Kaga (Ushio Publishing Co., Ltd.)
The Kenichi Yoshida Collection (Shinchosha Publishing Co., Ltd.)
Definitive Edition: The Collected Works of Yukio Mishima (Shinchosha Publishing Co., Ltd.)
［Solo Exhibitions (Selected)］
2006: Hitoshi Karasawa: Rondo in the Sky – Tochigi Prefectural Museum of Fine Arts
2006: Hitoshi Karasawa: Lurking in the Labyrinth of Images – The Museum of Modern Art, Kamakura & Hayama
2024: Hitoshi Karasawa: Prints, Paintings, and Music – Artegio Yufuin, Oita