A Pioneer of CharA Pioneer of Character Design
HIJIKATA Shigemi's World

Hijikata Shigemi（1915-1986）empathized with Iizawa Tadasu’s principles of “I want to plant lovely, fitting things in children’s hearts”, as a designer, created a host of fascinating characters. This famous pair’s collaborations, which have enthralled countless children, included the picture book Yanbo, Ninbo, Tonbo and the puppet theater programs Boo Foo Woo and Datto-kun for NHK’s Okaasan to Issho (With Mother), a television series for young children. Their series of puppet picture books, for which Hijikata designed the puppets, has been translated into fifteen languages and published in 78 countries, in 80 versions.
Hijikata also created many commercial designs. He was the father of Sato-chan, the character, still beloved today, that he designed for Sato Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. He also engaged in trailblazing projects in the world of corporate advertising, including working with Iizawa Tadasu in creating puppet animation commercials for Asahi Breweries, Ltd., and Mitsuwa Soap Corporation.
This exhibition also introduces the many movie posters that Hijikawa created for Toho Studios’ classic and documentary films before and during World War II. They are joined by the many posters and flyers that he created for ballet and opera performances as a freelance designer after the war. This exhibition, the first Hijikata retrospective in the Kanto region, traces his multifaceted career through valuable original drawings, posters, character goods, movies, and other works.