This month I exhibited at the excellent Factory Hanbunko gallery in Takaoka near the Nihon Kai (Japan Sea). Huge thanks to the staff and especially Ayaka-san for helping me put this together and promoting the new artworks. Takaoka is a fascinating old city and this Kura (former traditional warehouse) space in the gallery is a beautiful all wood interior with a great atmosphere and diffused light.


Hanbunko Exhibition 1 (www.blairthomson.com)

Factory Hanbunko 2 (www.blairthomson.com)

Factory Hanbunko 3 (www.blairthomson.com)

Factory Hanbunko 4 (www.blairthomson.com)Factory Hanbunko 5 (www.blairthomson.com)

Factory Hanbunko 6 (www.blairthomson.com)

Factory Hanbunko 7 (www.blairthomson.com)

Factory Hanbunko 8 (www.blairthomson.com)

Factory Hanbunko 9 (www.blairthomson.com)

Factory Hanbunko 10 (www.blairthomson.com)Factory Hanbunko 11 (www.blairthomson.com)

Factory Hanbunko 12 (www.blairthomson.com)Factory Hanbunko 13 (www.blairthomson.com)

Factory Hanbunko 14 (www.blairthomson.com)Factory Hanbunko 15 (www.blairthomson.com)

The city will soon be linked up by a new Shinkansen route along this stretch of the Hokuriku coast and is well worth a visit, with many old buildings and temples (such as the Soto Shu Otera with the figures wearing Rakusu) unscathed by history. The coffee shop we visited nearby the gallery, Irodori Kissaten (Marunouchi 5), serving the delicious chocolate cake, is in a superb refurbishment of an old house.

Factory Hanbunko website →