Lotus Moon in Milan: Ōtagaki Rengetsu in dialogue with contemporary

Lotus Moon: Ōtagaki Rengetsu in Milan

From 28 April to 8 May 2026 Milan hosts an exhibition pairing historical works by Ōtagaki Rengetsu with contemporary creations inspired by her poetic and material practice. Curated by Katia Bagnoli and Bruno Riva, the project unfolds across multiple venues to explore calligraphy, ceramics and poetry through the lens of wabi-sabi.

What to see

The show features 30 original works by Rengetsu — including bowls, tea cups and tanzaku inscribed with waka poems — alongside commissioned pieces by contemporary artists (Bruno Riva, Katia Bagnoli, Ekaterina De Andreis and others). Contemporary works reinterpret Rengetsu’s themes and techniques through calligraphy on Japanese paper, painting and hand-incised ceramics.

Venues and openings

• Spazio TOMA, via Moscova 25 — opening: Tuesday 28 April 2026 at 18:30. This site presents Rengetsu’s originals together with contemporary calligraphy and painting.
• Ekadea studio, via Plinio 42 — opening: Wednesday 29 April 2026 at 18:30. Additional ceramics and a selection of works on Japanese paper are shown here.
• City-wide installations starting 8 April 2026: selected works will appear at the Consulate General of Japan (via Privata Cesare Mangili 2/4) and in the display window of Boutique Toma (via della Spiga 2).

Why visit

The exhibition encourages a slow, reflective viewing experience: paying attention to materiality, the artist’s gesture and the link between everyday function and poetic inscription. It offers a focused introduction to Rengetsu, a 19th-century Japanese artist who blended ceramics, calligraphy and poetry.

Practical information

• Dates: 28/04/2026 - 08/05/2026
• Curators: Katia Bagnoli and Bruno Riva
• Catalogue: published by Shodo.it, including Italian translations of Rengetsu’s poems and scholarly notes.
• Tip: visit both venues to appreciate the dialogue between historic and contemporary works; allow time for a measured, detailed viewing.

Author: Redazione