Hello Kitty embodies traditional Japanese masterpieces for 50th-anniversary celebration

[Marshy]

 

Hello Kitty, the bow-wearing cultural phenomenon, is preparing to mark her golden jubilee with an exhibition at Tokyo’s prestigious National Museum.

 

The institution in Ueno Park will host Hello Kitty: As I Change, So Does She from November 1, 2024, through February 24, 2025. This milestone celebration brings together the largest-ever assembly of Hello Kitty merchandise and collaborations under one roof, offering visitors a comprehensive look at how the character has evolved over five decades.

 

Imaginative reinterpretations of classical Japanese artworks from the museum’s collection form part of the showcase. Visitors can expect playful integrations of the Sanrio character into masterpieces such as the Wind God and Thunder God Screens, Beauty Looking Back, and The Actor Ōtani Oniji III as Edobei. A sneak peek of these tributes, which will also be available as merchandise, has already been shared on the exhibition’s social media channels.

 

 

 

 

The retrospective also explores Hello Kitty’s evolution, charting how her design has adapted over the years to maintain relevance across generations and continents. The show highlights not only her visual transformations but also the cultural impact she has made globally, from fashion runways to childhood bedrooms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by ハローキティ展【公式】/Hello Kitty展 (@hellokitty_exh)

 

 

 

 

 

Images: Metropolitan Museum of Art (public domain), Hello Kitty Exhibition, Wikimedia Commons (public domain)