We will be holding a special exhibition, "Biographies of Great Figures Seibo" until April 4, 2027.

Inokashira Park Zoo will be holding a special exhibition, "Biographies of Great Men Seibo "at its sculpture garden.

This exhibition showcases portrait sculptures of "great figures"—that is, people who have left their mark on history—created by Seibo Kitamura.

Having lived through the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras, Seibo received commissions for portrait sculptures of a wide range of people, including military figures, politicians, Sengoku-era warlords, athletes, businesspeople, and actors. In creating his sculptures, Seibo would meet with the subjects or, in the case of historical figures, research their lives and anecdotes, striving to express not just their outward appearance but also their true character. A "biography of a great man" is a book that recounts the life of a great person, and Seibo 's portraits can truly be described as "biographies of great men" told through sculpture.

From our collection, you can see over 20 works by Seibo from various periods, including prototypes (small samples) of "Lord Kiyomasa Kato," "Amakusa Shiro," and "Confucius," as well as sketches for a portrait of "Mikimoto Kokichi." Please enjoy them along with the stories behind their creation.

Flyer (front)

Flyer (back)