José Luis Sanz, the mayor of Seville, recently hosted Hiroshi Yamauchi, the Japanese ambassador to Spain, at the city hall in an official meeting aimed at strengthening ties between Seville and Japan.
During the reception, Sanz emphasised Seville's international character and its long-standing tradition of cultural exchange. He stated, "Seville is a city open to the world, with a rich history of cultural encounters and a remarkable ability to forge connections through heritage, art, and culture. Japan and Seville share a deep appreciation for beauty, tradition, and the preservation of historical legacies. We aim to further strengthen this relationship and promote initiatives that bring our cultures closer and enhance the bonds between our peoples."
As part of his visit, Ambassador Yamauchi is set to explore KINPAKU. Nature, power and imagination in Japanese art, an exhibition organised by the Seville City Council at the Espacio Santa Clara, which will be open until 10 January 2027. The exhibition features ten Japanese folding screens and sixteen fans from the 16th to 19th centuries, sourced from a private collection, and offers a journey through four centuries of Japanese art, highlighting the use of kinpaku, or gold leaf, in the depiction of nature, power, and imagination.
This reception, along with the cultural programming related to Japan, underscores the Seville City Council's commitment to international cooperation and its aim to provide cultural offerings that connect with other artistic traditions. The KINPAKU exhibition, curated by Hiroyuki Kano, an expert in Edo period painting and former director of the Kyoto National Museum, alongside Daniel Sastre de la Vega, presents an exceptional opportunity to showcase the richness and uniqueness of Japanese art to the people of Seville.
