(Aged 0)

Born on the 26th, the eldest son of cartoonist, Ippei OKAMOTO and poet/novelist Kanoko, in Kanoko’s family home in Futago, Takatsu-mura, Tachibana-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture (present day Futago, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki).

(Aged 6)

Enters the Seinan primary school in Aoyama but leaves after one term to enter the Nisshin primary school, a private school in Nihonbashi Torihatago-cho, then later moved again to the Jisshi primary school in Kodenma-cho.

(Aged 7)

Becomes boarding student at Keio Gijuku Yochisha Primary School.

(Aged 14)

(Aged 18)

Graduates from Keio Futsubu School and in April enters the Western Painting Division of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts).

December

Family travels to Europe for his father to report on the London Naval Conference, leaving from Kobe Harbor on the Hakonemaru.

(Aged 19)

Arrives in Paris via Marseilles. Both parents continue on to London to attend the London Naval Conference leaving Taro in Paris.

Visits the Louvre Museum where he sees the work of Paul Cézanne.

July

Joins parents in London for summer holidays.

(Aged 20)

Enters the Lycée in Choisy-le-Roi, Seine Department, in the outskirts of Paris.

(Aged 21)

Sees his parents off at Gare du Nord station for their return trip to Japan.

Summer

Sees Pablo Picasso’s ‘Pitcher and Bowl of Fruit’ (1931) at Paul Rosenberg Gallery.

October

Attends a lecture by Victor Basch on Hegel aesthetics while studying philosophy at the University of Paris.

Exhibits a work in the 5th Salon des surindépendant. He continues to participate in this exhibition for several years.

His name is mentioned in a review of the exhibition in the ‘L’Intransigeant’ magazine.

(Aged 22)

(Aged 23)

(Aged 24)

Participates in a group exhibition at the Jeune Europe Gallery with Kurt Seligmann and Geérard Vulliamy.

Advocates Neo-Concretism together with Seligmann.

(Aged 25)

Is impressed by a lecture by Georges Bataille he heard during a meeting of an anti-Stalin group, named Contre-attaque that he attended with Max Ernst and Patrick Waldberg in a loft on Rue des Grands-Augustins.

October

Submits ‘Itamashiki udé [Wounded Arm] to an exhibition at the Salon des Surindépendant. This is noticed by AndréBreton who recommends him to exhibit at the Exposition Internationale du Surréalisme.

Leaves the Abstraction-Création group.

(Aged 26)

First book of paintings, entitled “Okamoto” (Forward by Pierre Courthion), published by G.L.M.

The Musée de l’Homme anthropology museum opens as part of the International Exposition dedicated to Art and Technology in Modern Life. As a student of the University of Paris, he begins to study ethnology under Professor Marcel Mauss in this institute.

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(Aged 27)

Exhibits ‘Itamashiki ude’ [Wounded Arm] at the Exposition Internationale du Surréalisme (Paris).

July

Joins the ‘Acéphale’ secret society at the recommendation of Georges Bataille.

December

Exhibits in the 1st Exposition des Artistes Japonais at the Galerie Bernheim-Jeune.

(Aged 28)

His mother, Kanoko Okamoto, dies on the 18th, aged 49.

(Aged 29)

“Seisei Ruten” (Vicissitudes), by his mother, Kanoko Okamoto, is published by Kaizosha with Taro’s ‘Yoru’ [Night] on the cover.

June

Germany invades Paris in June and Taro returns to Japan on Hakusanmaru, the last evacuation ship, to leave from Marseilles.

(Aged 30)

Exhibits 4 works produced while in Europe, including ‘Itamashiki ude’ [Wounded Arm] and ‘Contorupoan’ [Contrepoint], at the Nika Art Exhibition and wins the Nika Prize.

November

Exhibition of Taro Okamoto’s European Works is held at the Mitsukoshi Department Store, Ginza. Riichi Yokomitsu, Tsuguharu Fujita, Shikanosuke Oka, etc., contribute essays for the catalogue.

December

“Haha no tegami” [Mother’s Letter] is published by Fujokaisha.

(Aged 31)

Enlists in the army and is posted to China as a new recruit.

(Aged 35)

Repatriated to Japan after approximately 6 months in a Chinese prisoner-of-war camp near Chang’an. Learns that all his works were destroyed, together with his parents’ home, in the Aoyama district of Tokyo, during an air raid. Travels to Shimokobi, Kobicho, Kamo-gun, Gifu Prefecture, to visit his father, Ippei, who had been evacuated there. Lives with his mother’s parents, the Oonuki family. Also stays at the home of the author, Yasunari Kawabata, in Kamakura. 

November

Opens a studio at Kaminoge in Tokyo’s Setagaya ward.

(Aged 36)

Nominated for membership of the Nika Association

September

Exhibits ‘Yoru’ [Night] and ‘Yushu’ [Melancholy] at the Nika Art Exhibition.

(Aged 37)

Establishes the ‘Society of Night’ group together with Kiyoteru Hanada, etc. and begins avant-garde activities. They are joined by Yutaka Haniya, Hiroshi Noma, Rinzo Shiina, etc.

February

Exhibits ‘Mahiru no kao’ [Face in Midday], ‘Yushu’ [Melancholy], etc., in the 1st Modern Art Exhibition (organized by the Modern Artists Association of Nippon).

September

Establishes the ‘Avant-garde Art Study Group’ together with Kiyoteru Hanada. They are joined by Tatsuo Ikeda, Hiroshi Teshigahara, Katsuhiro Yamaguchi, Hideko Fukushima, Shozo Kitadai, Shin’ichi Segi, Toshiko Hirano, etc.

Exhibits ‘Yoake’ [Dawn], etc., at the 33rd Nika Art Exhibition.

October

His father, Ippei Okamoto, dies on the 11th, aged 62. Draws a sketch of Ippei.

November

“Okamoto taro gabunshu avangarudo” [The Paintings and Writings of Taro Okamoto―Avant-Garde] is published by Getsuyoshobo. He proposes the ‘principle of polar opposites’ as the basic concept behind his work.

(Aged 38)

Exhibits ‘Akai usagi’ [Red Rabbit] in the 1st Independent Exhibition (sponsored by Yomiuri Shimbun).

May

“Atarashii geijutsu no tankyu” [In Search of New Art], edited by the ‘Society of Night’, is published by Getsuyoshobo.

September

Exhibits ‘Jukogyo’ [Heavy Industry] in the 34th Nika Art Exhibition.

(Aged 39)

Exhibits recreations of ‘Itamashiki ude’ [Wounded Arm] and ‘Roten’ [Boutique Foraine], produced the previous year, in the ‘Contemporary Art Masterpieces Self-chosen by 15 Artists’ (sponsored by Yomiuri Shimbun).

February

Exhibits ‘Datenshi’ [Fallen Angel] in the 2nd Independent Exhibition (sponsored by Yomiuri Shimbun). During the opening reception he reads his ‘Declaration of Polar Opposites’ in the venue’s restaurant, calling for the creation a ‘Polar Opposites Art Association’, but fails to receive a favorable reaction.

September

Exhibits ‘Mori no okite’ [Law of the Jungle] in the 35th Nika Art Exhibition.

November

The magazine “Atelier” runs a special feature article on Taro Okamoto.

(Aged 40)

Gathers together all his postwar works to hold his first postwar solo exhibition (Mitsukoshi Department Store, Nihonbashi, Tokyo).

Is amazed by an exhibition of Jomon period pottery he sees at the Tokyo National Museum.

(Aged 41)

Describes his shock upon seeing Jomon period pottery in an article entitled, ‘Thoughts on Jomon Earthenware’ published in “Mizue” art magazine.

Exhibits a mosaic tile work, ‘Taiyo no shinwa’ [Mythology of the Sun], in the 4th Independent Exhibition (sponsored by Yomiuri Shimbun).

April

Produces a mosaic tile mural, ‘Sosei’ [Creation] for the subway passage at Takashimaya Department Store, Nihonbashi.

In addition to the tiles for ‘Sosei’, also creates ‘Kao [Face] at the headquarters of Ina Seito Co., Ltd. in Tokoname.

May

Exhibits ‘Yoake’ [Dawn] at the Salon de Mai gallery in Paris.

October

An exhibition celebrating Taro Okamoto’s journey to Europe is held in Takashimaya Department Store, Osaka.

November

Returns to Europe where he remains until May of the following year. Reunites with Max Ernst and Jean Arp, etc.

(Aged 42)

Holds a solo exhibition at the Creuze art gallery (Paris). Hideo Kaido, Kumi Sugai, Toshimitsu Imai, and Yasukazu Tabuchi, who were living in Paris at the time, assist in setting up the exhibition. The opening reception is attended by Ossip Zadkine, Sonia Delaunay, Georges Bataille, Michel Ragon, Henri Michaux and Philippe Soupault. etc.

April

Visits Picasso’s studio in Vallauris, in the south of France and meets with Picasso.

July

Together with 30 avant-garde artists, Shuzo Takiguchi, Takachiyo Uemura and other art critics he establishes the Japanese headquarters of the International Art Club and is selected to be its representative.

September

Holds solo exhibition at the Hugo Gallery (New York) that later travels to Washington, D.C.

October

Responsible for the design of eight display windows at Takashimaya Department Store, Nihonbashi, Tokyo.

On the 6th he provides an interpretation of the Georges Rouault Exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum’s Hyokeikan. This is transmitted live by Nippon Television Network and marks his television debut.

December

Exhibits ‘Kurima’ [Climat] etc. as one of the Japanese representatives at the 2nd São Paulo Art Biennial.

Publishes “Seishun Pikaso” [Young Picasso] (Shinchosha).

(Aged 43)

His new studio, designed by Junzo Sakakura (now the Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum), is completed in the Aoyama district of Tokyo and he establishes the Gendai Geijutsu Kenkyujo [Institute for Research in Contemporary Art].

June

Exhibits works, together with Hanjiro Sakamoto, as the Japanese representative at the 27th Venice Biennale.

August

“Konnichi no geijutsu―jidai o sozo suru mono wa dareka” [Art Today―Who Creates the Age?] is published by Kobunsha and becomes a best seller.

September

“T. Okamoto” book of paintings is published by Bijutsu Shuppan-sha in both Japanese and French editions.

October

A Buddhist memorial service is held to mark the sixth anniversary of his father’s death. A ceramic sculpture, ‘Kao’ [Face] is erected as a tombstone in Tama Reien Cemetery.

(Aged 44)

Holds the ‘Experimental Tea Ceremony’ at his studio, sponsored by Tankosha. Guests include Kenzo Tange, Rosanjin Kitaoji, etc.

May

Exhibits ‘Moeru hito’ [Men Aflame] at the 3rd International Art Exhibition of Japan.

August

Flies over the Ginza district in a helicopter to ‘paint’ the night sky with light.

September

Exhibits ‘Shunkan’ [Moment] in the 40th Nika Art Exhibition. Taro gathers together young artists from home and abroad to exhibit in the 9th room of the venue, resulting in this becoming known as ‘Taro’s Room’. Designs the aliens, etc., and advises on the use of color for Daiei’s science-fiction movie, ‘Warning from Space’, directed by Koji Shima.

December

Gendai geijutsu no kai [Contemporary Arts Institute] holds its first meeting. In addition to Okamoto, participants include Kenzo Tange, Yusaku Kamekura, and Sori Yanagi. This event continues to be held monthly until March 1957, inviting lecturers from a wide range of fields, including such people as Kiyoteru Hanada, Kobo Abe, Kenzo Tange, etc., and attracting large numbers of young, aspiring artists.

(Aged 45)

Creates ‘Seishun’ [Youth], a mosaic tile mural, for the Shochiku Central Theatre in Tsukiji, Tokyo.

September

“Nihon no dento” [Japanese Tradition], a discussion on Jomon period pottery published by Kobunsha.

Creates ‘Odori [Dance], a ceramic relief mural for the Daiwa Securities Building in Otemachi, Tokyo.

Creates seven ceramic relief murals, including the ‘Hi no kabe’ [Wall of the Sun], for the old Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, designed by Kenzo Tange, that opened the following year.

November

The ‘Exposition Internationale de l’art Actuel’, organized by the International Art Club and cosponsored by Asahi Shimbun, introduces numerous artists belonging to the Art Informel movement, including Georges Mathieu, Sam Francis and Jean Fautrier.

(Aged 46)

Travels throughout the country to gather information for the ‘Geijutsu Fudoki’ [Art Topography] series that is published in “Geijutsu Shincho” monthly magazine.

July

Exhibits ceramic mural ‘Hi’ [Sun] at the 11th Milan Triennale.

August

Introduced to Georges Mathieu by Michel Tapié, he allows Mathieu to use his studio’s garden to demonstrate his work to the public, leading to a boom in Art Informel.

(Aged 47)

Produces a triple crushed tile mural, ‘Hana hiraku’ [Bloom] for the National Railway’s (now J.R.‘s) Kanda Station in Tokyo.

May

Exhibits ‘Dorama’ [Drama] in the 3rd Contemporary Art Exhibition of Japan.

September

“Nihon sai-hakken―geijutsu fudoki” [Rediscovery of the Japan－Topography of Art] is published by Shinchosha.

(Aged 48)

The set of murals in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is awarded the first ‘International Grand Award for Architectural Painting’ by the French magazine, L’Architecture d’Aujourd’hui.

May

“Gabunnshu, kuroi taiyou” [Collected Paintings and Writings―Black Sun] is published by Bijutsu Shuppan-sha.

August

Carries out stage design for the opera, ‘Lohengrin’, that is produced outdoors by Tetsuji Takechi (Tokyo National Stadium).

September

Exhibits sculpture ‘Dobutsu’ [Animal] in the 44th Nika Art Exhibition.

November

Visits Okinawa and is impressed by the sacred places known as ‘Utaki’, that exist there.

December

Creates a 4-meter-tall sculpture, entitled ‘Dobutsu’ [Animal] for Sportsland, within the Togura-Kamiyamada Health Center, Nagano Prefecture.

(Aged 49)

‘Okinawa bunkaron’ [A Discourse on Okinawan Culture] is serialized in “Chuokoron” monthly magazine.

July

Designs a space entitled ‘Manatsu no Yume’ [Midsummer’s Dream] for the Central Hall of Matsuya Department Store, Ginza, Tokyo.

(Aged 50)

“Wasurerareta Nippon – Okinawa Bunkaron” [Forgotten Japan―Treatise on Okinawan Culture] is published by Chuokoronsha. In November this wins the Mainichi newspaper’s book of the year award.

April

Breaks a leg while skiing on Mt. Shiranesan at Kusatsu. The plaster on his leg inspires him to produce the sculpture ‘Ashi’ [Foot].

June

Carries out stage design for the kabuki play, ‘Kotobuki ninin sanbaso’ held to launch the Toho Theatre Group’s Kabuki division (Tokyo Takarazuka Theatre).

August

Retires from the Nika Association.

October

Taro Okamoto Exhibition is held at the Tokyo Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo.

(Aged 51)

Creates a mosaic tile mural, ‘Hatsukoi’ [First Love] for Calpis Co. Ltd’s Sagamihara Factory.

February

Carries out research at the sacred mountain, Koyasan. For the following year he travels throughout the country to research religions and festivals, publishing his results in magazines as travel articles.

May

Exhibits ‘Wakai Toso’ [Young Struggle] and ‘Hikyo’ [Esotericism] in the 5th Contemporary Art Exhibition of Japan.

November

Creates a literary monument for Kanoko Okamoto, entitled ‘Hokori’ [Pride], on the bank of Tama River in Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki.

Creates a 12-meter-tall ‘Merry Pole’ to stand as a Christmas tree in the square in front of Ikebukuro Station, Tokyo.

(Aged 52)

Travels to France, Italy, U.S.A. and Mexico

July

Is commissioned by Antonin Raymond to create a sculpture and mural for the bathroom of the ‘D residence’ (Shibuya, Tokyo)

November

Creates ‘Suwarukoto o kyohi suru isu’ [Chairs Refusing to Seat Anyone].

December

Creates ‘Victory Pole’ to be placed in the square in front of Ikebukuro Station, Tokyo, as a monument to celebrate the Tokyo Olympic.

(Aged 53)

‘Taro Okamoto Exhibition’ is held (Venue 1: Seibu Department Store, Ikebukuro, Tokyo. Venue 2: Tokyo Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo. Arata Isozaki handles the layout of venue 1. Exhibition later travels to Nagoya, Kawasaki, Sendai, Fukuoka, Chiba and Osaka.

July

Creates 8 ceramic murals, including ‘Kisou’ [Compete] for the National Yoyogi Gymnasium designed by Kenzo Tange.

August

Creates the Tokyo Olympic Participation Memorial Medal.

September

“Shinpi Nippon” [Mysterious Japan] is published by Chuokoronsha.

November

Travels to South Korea for research.

(Aged 54)

Serial essay entitled, ‘Okamoto Taro no me’ [The Eyes of Taro Okamoto] is published in “Shukan Asahi” weekly magazine.

August

‘Kane to hono-o’ [Bell and Flames] exhibition held at Tokyo Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo.

October

Creates Buddhist temple bell, ‘Kanki’ [Rejoice], for Kyukokuji Temple, Nagoya.

(Aged 55)

Travels to Hong Kong and Macau for research.

July

Creates ‘Taiyo no Kane’ [Bell of the Sun], etc., for Nittsu-Izu Fujimi Land, Izu, Shizuoka Pref.

December

Creates the ‘Wakai Tokeidai’ [Young Clock Tower] for Sukiyabashi Park, Ginza, Tokyo.

Travels to Okinawa again to research the ‘Izaiho’ ritual.

(Aged 56)

Creates the light sculpture, ‘Seitan’ [Birth] for the central hall of the Sagae City Government Offices, Yamagata Prefecture.

July

Is appointed producer of the themed exhibition at the 1970 World Exposition at Osaka.

Travels to Latin America to film for the television movie, ‘Okamoto Taro no saguru chunanbei tairiku’ [Taro Okamoto Explores Latin America].

August

A businessman commissions a mural for a hotel currently under construction in Mexico City.

December

Major newspapers publish the basic concept and sketches for the Themed Pavilion at the Osaka Expo.

(Aged 57)

Travels to Paris, Prague and London to request cooperation in the upcoming Expo. Visits Grenoble to watch Winter Olympics.

February

Opens a studio in Mexico to work on the mural, ‘Asu no shiwa’ [Myth of Tomorrow] to be installed in the Hotel de Mexico, Mexico City.

“Genshoku no jumon” [The Spell of Primary Colors] is published by Bungei Shunju.

March

Publishes a schematic design for the themed exhibition at the Osaka Expo.

June

‘Taro’s Explosion’ exhibition is held at Matsuya Ginza Department Store, Tokyo. The exhibition space is designed by Kiyoshi Awazu and Hiroshi Hara.

September

Construction completed on the Mami Kaikan [Mami’s Hall] (Sanno, Ota-ku, Tokyo), designed by Taro.

“Okamoto Taro” book of paintings published by Bijutsu Shuppan-sha.

(Aged 58)

Creates the ‘Wakai taiyo no to’ [Tower of the Young Sun] for Inuyama Rhine Park (currently: Japan Monkey Park), Aichi Prefecture.

August

Creates a ceramic relief mural, ‘Midori no taiyo’ [Green Sun] for the outer wall of the Sun Drug Building, in front of Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture.

September

Completes ‘Asu no shinwa’ [Myth of Tomorrow] mural for the Hotel de Mexico in Mexico.

(Aged 59)

‘Waga sekai bijutsushi’ [My World Art History] series published in “Geijutsu Shincho” monthly magazine over the course of one year.

March

The Theme Pavilion at the center of the symbol zone of the Osaka Expo is completed including the ‘Taiyo no to’ [Tower of the Sun], the ‘Haha no to’ [Tower of Mother] and ‘Seishun no to’ [Tower of Youth]. Taro assumes post of Director of Theme Pavilion.

July

‘La vie quotidienne à Tokyo en 1970’ solo exhibition opens in Paris.

October

An interview with Seiichi Izumi is published under the title, “Nihon retto bunkaron―Nihonjin wa bakuhatsu shinakereba naranai” [The Japanese People Must Explode―A Cultural Theory on the Japanese Archipelago] by Daikosya.

(Aged 60)

Exhibits ‘Jujin’ [L’homme Vegetal] in the ‘Street Gallery Art Festival’ held in Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris and is awarded the title of ‘Festival King’.

“Bi no juryoku” [Magic Power of Beauty] is published by Shinchosha.

(Aged 61)

Exhibits his ‘Itamashiki ude’ [Wounded Arm] in the ‘Surrealism 1922-1942’ exhibition at the Haus der Kunst art museum, Munich. This exhibition later travels to the Muse´e des Arts De´coratifs, Paris (until May).

May

Creates the official medal for the Munich Olympics.

(Aged 62)

Paints a picture on the side of an airship.

A portfolio of prints entitled, “Abstraction Création :Art Non Figuratif 1932-36” is published by Paul Nemours, Paris. Okamoto is selected as one of the 30 representative artists, together with Hans Arp, Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian.

(Aged 63)

Creates a relief mural, ‘Ten ni mau’ [Dancing in Heaven] for the lobby of the NHK Broadcasting Center, Tokyo.

August

‘TARO Kimono’ goes on sale.

November

A collection of silkscreen prints entitled, ‘Zettaiteki, soshite mumokutekini’ [Absolutely and Purposelessly] is published in Paris by Paul Nemours.

December

Creates the ‘Schneider Monument’ at Nozawa hot-spring resort, Nagano Prefecture.

Visits the “Manji no sekibutsu “stone Buddha near the Suwa Grand Shrine in Nagano Prefecture and is filled with admiration for the work.

(Aged 64)

It is decided that the ‘Taiyo no to’ [Tower of the Sun] should be preserved for posterity.

March

A mannequin closely resembling Taro Okamoto, produced by Nanasai Co. Ltd., causes a sensation when it is displayed at the Retail Shop System Show at the Tokyo International Trade Center, Harumi.

July

‘Hommage à Marcel Mauss: Taro Okamoto’, a documentary film by Jean Rouch, Professor of Ethnology at the University of Paris, wins an award at the Asolo Art Film Festival, Italy, for the best biographical film.

October

Produces 5 relief murals, including ‘Kaze’ [Wind] and ‘Ikoi’ [Rest] for the Palais des Congrés de Paris.

(Aged 65)

French translation of “Bi no juryoku” [L’esthétique et le sacré] is published by Seghers, Paris.

‘Taro ten―idomi, moe, hiraku Okamoto Taro’ [TARO―Challenges, Burns, Opens Up] exhibition held at the Takashimaya Department Store, Nihonbashi, Tokyo. Later travels to the Muse´e Galliera, Paris, where it is entitled ‘Taro Okamoto: oeuvres, 1924-1975’.

March

Creates ‘Kao no gurasu’ [Face Glass].

April

Collection of prints, entitled, ‘Déchirure’, and a book of paintings, entitled, ‘Taro Okamoto, Le baladin des antipodes’, are published in France to commemorate his exhibition at Musée Galliera, Paris.

November

Travels to Spain for research, publishing his findings as a series of travel writings in the Hochi Shimbun newspaper in January, the following year.

(Aged 66)

The ‘Yume no tori’ [Dream Bird] tea set goes on sale.

July

Several copperplate prints, including ‘Ishi to ki’ [Stone and Tree], etc., are acquired for the Spanish National Print Museum, the first by a Japanese artist.

December

Playing cards designed by Taro Okamoto and produced in Belgium go on sale in Japan.

“Okamoto Taro no chosen suru ski” [Taro Okamoto challenges Skiing] is published by Kodansha.

(Aged 67)

Travels to Paris, Majorca and Barcelona for research.

October

Creates the ‘Ashiato hiroba’ [Footprint Square] for the Japan Footwear Museum, Fukuyama City.

(Aged 68)

Creates a giant snow sculpture, ‘Yuki no megami’ [Snow Goddess] as the symbol of the 30th anniversary of the Sapporo Snow Festival.

September

‘Okamoto Taro chosaku shu’ [The Collected Writings of Taro Okamoto] (9 volumes) is published by Kodansha.

October

‘Gendai no shinwa―Okamoto Taro no sekai ten’ [Contemporary Myth―The World of Taro Okamoto Exhibition] is held at the Otani Memorial Museum, Nishinomiya City.

“Okamoto Taro” book of works is published by Heibonsha.

(Aged 69)

‘Idomu―Okamoto Taro ten’ [Challenge: Taro Okamoto Exhibition] is held at the Odakyu Grand Gallery, Shinjuku, Tokyo. To commemorate this, he presents a public display, creating a work of emoji, entitled ‘Idomu’ [Challenge], in the Shinjuku Station’s West Exit Square.

March

The ‘Taro koi’ [Taro Carp] carp streamer goes on sale.

April

Visits the Onbashira festival in Suwa for research.

(Aged 70)

Appears in ‘Maicon jidai’ [Microcomputer Age] television seminar (TBS) and uses a computer to create a picture for the first time.

July

‘Taro Okamoto’ exhibition held at Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art.

November

“Asobu ji” [Playing Ideograph] is published by Nippon Geijutsu Shuppan-sha.

Appears in a television commercial for Hitachi Maxwell Video Cassettes. His catchphrase, ‘Art is explosion!’ becomes a popular expression.

(Aged 71)

Creates the statue ‘Shinwa’ [Myth], to be placed in the Matsue City General Sports Park, as a symbol of the Shimane Kunibiki National Athletic Meet.

July

Creates the statue ‘Kappa shinzo’ [Watersprite God] to be placed in Shibusawa Park, Komaki Hot Spring Resort, Aomori Prefecture.

“Bi no sekai ryoko” [World Travel into Beauty] is published by Shinchosha.

December

Creates the statues ‘Yobu, akai te, aoi te’ [Beckoning, Hand-Red, Hand-Blue] for the Nishimon Kaimono Koen Street, Sagamihara City.

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation (now NTT) sells telephone cards with ‘Asobu ji” [Playing Ideograph] design.

(Aged 72)

Appears in a ski movie for tourists, entitled ‘Yamagata wa shiroi kuni, Okamoto Taro no ski’ [White Country Yamagata, Taro Okamoto’s Skiing].

June

Creates a 22-meter-tall ceramic mural entitled, ‘Inochi odoru’ [Dancing Life], for the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company’s Tokushima Laboratory.

August

Kimono and obi of Okamoto’s design go on sale.

(Aged 73)

Creates the ‘Kaori no to’ [Tower of Fragrance] in front of Laforet in Harajuku, Tokyo, as a symbol for a French perfume fair.

October

Creates ‘Yume no ki’ [Dream Tree] for the Kanuma City Culture Center, Tochigi Prefecture.

(Aged 74)

Creates ‘Mirai o miru’ [Looking at the Future] as the symbol monument of the International Science and Technology Exposition (STEXPO).

November

Creates the ‘Kodomo no ki’ [Tree of Children] for the Kodomo-no-shiro (National Children’s Castle) in Aoyama, Tokyo.

December

Exhibits ‘Jukogyo’ [Heavy Industry] and ‘Mori no okite’ [Law of the Jungle] in the ‘Reconstructions: Avant-garde Art in Japan, 1945-65’ at the Museum of Modern Art Oxford, U.K.

(Aged 75)

The ‘Okamoto Taro no sekai ten’ [World of Taro Okamoto] is held at Meitetsu Department Store, Nagoya, before traveling to Osaka, Kasama (Ibaraki Pref.), Niigata, Sendai and Kanazawa.

December

Exhibits ‘Itamashiki ude’ [Wounded Arm] and ‘Mori no okite’ [Law of the Jungle] in ‘Japon des Avant-Gardes 1910-1970’ exhibition, at the Le Centre Pompidou, Paris, France.

(Aged 76)

Creates ‘Shuppatsu’ [Departure] as a commemorative medal for ‘Sayonara kokutetsu – shinsei JR’ (Goodbye National Railways – Rebirth JR].

April

Appears as a actor in NHK’s television drama, ‘Barairo no jinsei’ [Rose-colored Life].

(Aged 77)

Creates ‘Mirai o hiraku’ [Opening Up the Future] sculpture as the symbol monument of the Gifu-Chubu Future Expo ’88.

September

Appears in a commercial for Duskin’s ‘Free Design Mat’. The following year, this commercial wins the 29th International Broadcasting Award in the U.S.A.

October

Creates ‘Heiwa o yobu’ [Calling for Peace] for the H. C. Andersen Park, Funabashi, Chiba.

(Aged 79)

Participates in the ‘Jomon Summit’ in which Jomon-style pots are fired in an open fire,Fujisawa,Iwate. Creates ‘Jomonjin’ [Jomon Person] as the event’s symbol.

(Aged 80)

Creates a fireplace sculpture, ‘Mori no shinwa’ [Myth of the Forest], for the Oirase Keiryu Grand Hotel in Aomori Prefecture.

May

With the transfer of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government offices to Shinjuku, it is decided that the old buildings in Marunouchi should be demolished. A campaign is started to preserve and move the ceramic mural Okamoto created in 1956, but to no avail and it is destroyed in September.

December

Okamoto’s major works are donated to Kawasaki City. The following year, plans for the Taro Okamoto Museum are announced.

(Aged 81)

Creates the ‘Yakudo no mon’ [Gate of Saltation] and ‘Gotairiku’ [Five Continents] sculptures for Urayasu Sportspark (Chiba).

September

Creates the ‘Suika seifu’ [Water, Fire, Cool Breeze] ceramic mural for the Iriezaki General Sludge Center, Kawasaki.

(Aged 83)

Creates ‘Deai’ [Meeting] as the symbol monument for World Festival Exposition, Mie ’94.

(Aged 84)

‘Taro Okamoto Exhibition’ is held at Takashimaya Department Store, Osaka, before traveling to Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art.

Taro Okamoto dies of acute respiratory failure on January 7th.

February

A farewell gathering, ‘Talking with Taro Okamoto Plaza’, is held at the Sogetsu Plaza, Sogetsu Hall,Akasaka,Tokyo

April

The fireplace sculpture, ‘Kashin’ [River God], is completed at the Oirase Keiryu Daini Grand Hotel, in Aomori Prefecture.

July

The symbol monument for the World Ceramics Exposition in Saga ’96, ‘Kaen’ [Flower Flame] is completed. 

November

Taro Okamoto Memorial Foundation (for the Promotion of Contemporary Art) is founded and establishes the ‘Taro OKAMOTO Memorial Award for Contemporary Art’.

The Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum opens in Tokyo’s Aoyama district.

The Taro Okamoto Museum of Art opens in Ikuta Ryokuchi Park, Kawasaki.

Toshiko Okamoto confirms that the mural ‘Asu no shinwa’ [Myth of Tomorrow], discovered in storage in the outskirts of Mexico City, is genuine.

‘Myth of Tomorrow Restoration Project’ is established.

The ‘Asu no shinwa’ [Myth of Tomorrow] is dismantled and packed in Mexico and preparations completed for its transport to Japan.

Toshiko Okamoto passes away suddenly, aged 79.

May

‘Asu no shinwa’ [Myth of Tomorrow] arrives in Japan.

June

A farewell gathering, ‘Talking with Toshiko Okamoto Plaza’ is held at the Spiral Hall, Aoyama, in memory of Toshiko Okamoto.

July

‘Asu no shinwa’ [Myth of Tomorrow] is delivered to a workshop in To-on, Ehime Prefecture and restoration work commences.

Restoration of ‘Asu no shinwa’ [Myth of Tomorrow] is completed.

July

‘Asu no shinwa’ [Myth of Tomorrow] is put on general view at the Nippon Television Zero Studio Plaza, Shiodome, Tokyo.

November

The work ‘Dengeki’ [Lightning Bolt] (1947) that had gone missing soon after its completion is discovered in the Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum.

‘Setagaya jidai no Okamoto Taro, 1946-1954’ [Taro Okamoto and His Contemporaries in the Post-War Era] exhibition opens at Setagaya Museum, Tokyo.

April

‘Aoyama jidai no Okamoto Taro 1954-70’ [Taro Okamoto Aoyama Period 1954-1970] exhibition opens at the Taro Okamoto Museum of Art, Kawasaki.

Special showing of ‘Asu no shinwa’ [Myth of Tomorrow] at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (MOT), runs until June of the following year.

Shibuya Station in Tokyo is selected as the permanent site for ‘Asu no shinwa’ [Myth of Tomorrow].

November

‘Asu no shinwa’ [Myth of Tomorrow] is installed in the walkway at Shibuya Station, Tokyo.

One year celebratory program to mark the centenary of Taro Okamoto’s birth begins.

February

‘TARO 100 Festival’ is held at Roppongi Hills to celebrate Taro Okamoto’s 100th Birthday.

NHK Television broadcasts a 4-part drama series, ‘Taro-no-to’ [Taro’s Tower] (until April).

“Okamoto Taro no uchu’ [Taro Okamoto’s Cosmos], a collection of writings is published by Chikuma Gakugeibunko, 5 volumes + extra volume.

March

‘Seitan 100 nen, Okamoto Taro ten’ [Okamoto Taro – The 100th Anniversary of His Birth] exhibition is held at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo

April

NHK documentary ‘Taro to Toshiko’ [Taro and Toshiko] is broadcast.

May

‘Okamoto Taro to Okinawa’ [Taro Okamoto and Okinawa] exhibition is held at Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum.

November

Film festival entitled ‘Roll over TARO!’ is held at Omotesando Hills, Tokyo.

December

Projection mapping of ‘Taiyo no to’ [Tower of the Sun] is carried out.