Save the Hiroshima Panels - Preservation Fund

As the year draws to a close and winter’s chill sets in, we hope you are keeping well.

This year, we were pleased to welcome more visitors to the gallery than usual ahead of our temporary closure, and it was especially heartening to reconnect with people we had not seen in some time. 

We sincerely thank you for your warm support throughout the year, whether from near or far.

In this email, we share an update on the gallery’s recent activities, along with a brief reflection on the year just ended.



Extended Closure and Renovation Work Have Begun 

As of September 28, 2025, the Maruki Gallery has entered an extended closure for full-scale renovation work. 

In October, staff and volunteers carefully moved paintings, including The Hiroshima Panels, into storage and transported all gallery furnishings to temporary containers. Since November, demolition work on the interior walls, floors, and ceilings has been underway. 

The familiar gallery landscape has completely changed, revealing the building’s structural framework. It feels a little bittersweet, yet we are also excited to see the transformation ahead.

As expected, the building has suffered significant damage from weather and pests, confirming that it had already reached its limits. The rising cost of the renovation is due not only to increased prices and labor costs, but also to the growing number of areas that require repair, making it a truly challenging project.

The gallery is scheduled to reopen around May 5, 2027, marking its 60th anniversary. We will continue to share updates on the progress from time to time.



Activities at the Maruki Gallery in 2025

The gallery entered a temporary closure at the end of September; however, prior to closing, we held the following special exhibitions and events.

[Event] Screening of the Film ‘Hone o Horu Otoko (Close to the Bone)’ & Talk by Director Okuma Katsuya and Gushiken Takamatsu  
> Learn more here.

[Event] 58th Anniversary of the Opening of Maruki Gallery: “Children of Saitama” – Live performance by Maeno Kenta, Minagawa Mayumu, and Hokimoto Sora
> Learn more here. 

[Event] Refugee Week Event
> Learn more here.

[Special Exhibition] Mochizuki Katsura – The one who underpins freedom 
> Learn more here.

[Special Exhibition] Susan Schuppli - Trace Evidence / Nuclear Trilogy 
> Learn more here (Japanese website).

[Event] The 80th Anniversary of the Atomic Bombings, Hiroshima Day at Maruki Gallery Momoko Shiraga: Yamamba, kai.
> Learn more here.

[Special Exhibition] Masterpieces by Iri, Toshi and Suma: Kanzashi
> Learn more here.

 

Progress Report on the Preservation Fund

The Preservation Fund for the Hiroshima Panels, launched on May 5, 2017, has received generous support from a wide range of donors.

As of the end of November 2025, the total amount of donations received is approximately 360 million yen. After deducting expenses already incurred—such as design and preliminary construction costs, promotional activities, and painting restoration—the remaining balance stands at roughly 300 million yen.

Initially, we had announced a target amount of 300 million yen for the renovation. However, in addition to the sharp rise in material and labor costs in recent years, the demolition work and architectural surveys have revealed new challenges one after another, requiring us to make very careful decisions regarding the upcoming renovation work.

At present, we are looking at a new target of approximately 500 million yen for the Preservation Fund. We deeply appreciate any support you may be able to provide as we continue this important work.

Preservation Fund: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/save-the-hiroshima-panels/

We are deeply grateful for the generous support we have received from so many of you this year. While the gallery will remain closed for an extended period next year, there will be opportunities to view exhibitions of works such as The Hiroshima Panels both in Japan and abroad, and we plan to continue actively sharing updates and information from Maruki Gallery.

Thank you once again for keeping us in your thoughts this year. 

As we approach the end of the year, we hope you enjoy a warm and relaxing holiday season!