Street Nihonga: The Art of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani | Spencer Museum of Art

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Exhibition

Street Nihonga: The Art of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani

Street Nihonga: The Art of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani

Kris Ercums, curator
Maki Kaneko, curator

February 19, 2026–June 28, 2026

Galleries 315 and 316, Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

Street Nihonga explores the art of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012), whose work blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with the rawness of street life in New York City.

Exhibition images

Works of art

untitled (persimmon tree, red-headed sparrow in autumn), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (persimmon tree, red-headed sparrow in autumn), 2001

untitled (Tule Lake: view of Castle Rock Mountain from bus) , Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake: view of Castle Rock Mountain from bus) , 2002

untitled ("Not the Retiring Type"), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled ("Not the Retiring Type"), 2002

untitled (Hiroshima, Imperial Japan), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Hiroshima, Imperial Japan), 2004

untitled drawing (Bird on persimmon tree, bamboo), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled drawing (Bird on persimmon tree, bamboo), date unknown

untitled (Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Takashi Murakami, Vincent van Gogh), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Takashi Murakami, Vincent van Gogh), 2002

untitled (Tule Lake/Manzanar) collage (Tule Lake was one of ten American…), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake/Manzanar) collage (Tule Lake was one of ten American…), 2002

untitled (Tule Lake: Castle Rock Mountain, barracks, cross), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake: Castle Rock Mountain, barracks, cross), 2002

Mirikitani Birth Certificate

untitled (Abraham Lincoln), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Abraham Lincoln)

untitled (Janice Mirikitani: “Past Recalled”), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Janice Mirikitani: “Past Recalled”), circa 2002

untitled (woman, television, Japanese flag), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (woman, television, Japanese flag)

untitled (Two Sleeping Cats), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Two Sleeping Cats), date unknown

untitled (Tule Lake: “after sixty-one years”) drawing (Tule Lake) , Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake: “after sixty-one years”) drawing (Tule Lake) , 2002

untitled (big carp with white iris), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (big carp with white iris), date unknown

untitled (small owl in oak tree, moon and bamboo), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (small owl in oak tree, moon and bamboo), 2001

untitled (peace, Linda Hattendorf and her father), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (peace, Linda Hattendorf and her father), after 2006

untitled (moth and berries, “good luck”), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (moth and berries, “good luck”), 2002

untitled (Tule Lake cat), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake cat), date unknown

untitled (“peace cats” collage), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (“peace cats” collage), after 2007

untitled (Mirikitani and friends), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Mirikitani and friends), 2002

untitled (Tule Lake: highway monument), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake: highway monument), date unknown

untitled (homage to Dancing in the Flames by Hayami Gyoshū), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (homage to Dancing in the Flames by Hayami Gyoshū), circa 2002

untitled (Mirikitani age of 91, baby, Jackson Pollock), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Mirikitani age of 91, baby, Jackson Pollock), 2011

untitled (hawk and Plum Tree), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (hawk and Plum Tree), before 2001

untitled (PARIS), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (PARIS), after 2002

untitled (family portraits), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (family portraits), date unknown

untitled (view from plane after Tule Lake Pilgrimage), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (view from plane after Tule Lake Pilgrimage), 2002

untitled (white dragon protecting Mirikitani and friends), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (white dragon protecting Mirikitani and friends), after 2002

untitled (London England), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (London England), 2010

untitled (Tule Lake: “Buddha’s heart), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake: “Buddha’s heart), 2002

untitled (white tiger with orange eyes), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (white tiger with orange eyes), date unknown

untitled (boat in rough water), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (boat in rough water), before 2001

untitled collage (Akira Kurosawa), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled collage (Akira Kurosawa), 2001

untitled (World Trade Center, peace), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (World Trade Center, peace), after 2006

untitled (red-headed sparrow and bamboo in spring), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (red-headed sparrow and bamboo in spring), date unknown

untitled (framed "Mt. Fuji") , Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (framed "Mt. Fuji") , date unknown

untitled (9/11) drawing (World Trade Center), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (9/11) drawing (World Trade Center), 2001

untitled (blue crab and fish in Seto Inland Sea), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (blue crab and fish in Seto Inland Sea), date unknown

untitled (Yasuo Kuniyoshi and Tule Lake) , Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Yasuo Kuniyoshi and Tule Lake) , date unknown

untitled (Camellia Petals Scattering by Hayami Gyoshū), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Camellia Petals Scattering by Hayami Gyoshū), 2001–2002

untitled (“salute to you Washington DC”) , Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (“salute to you Washington DC”) , after 2006

untitled (cat with two fish on a plate), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (cat with two fish on a plate), date unknown

untitled (Hurricane Katrina, Ninth Ward), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Hurricane Katrina, Ninth Ward), 2005

untitled drawing (cat in waves), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled drawing (cat in waves), 2000

untitled (white dragon with claws and flames), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (white dragon with claws and flames), date unknown

untitled (Tule Lake/Crystal City/Seabrook), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake/Crystal City/Seabrook), 2005

untitled (Young Mirikitani), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Young Mirikitani), date unknown

untitled (Hiroshima “Gionbō” persimmon), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Hiroshima “Gionbō” persimmon), date unknown

untitled (“Gionbō” persimmons and vegetables), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (“Gionbō” persimmons and vegetables), date unknown

untitled (Tule Lake: battleship) collage (Battleship Tule Lake) , Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake: battleship) collage (Battleship Tule Lake) , date unknown

untitled (cat with fish and peppers), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (cat with fish and peppers), date unknown

untitled (hawk in oak tree, autumn), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (hawk in oak tree, autumn), date unknown

untitled (bird with berries, bamboo leaves), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (bird with berries, bamboo leaves), date unknown

untitled (art in incarceration), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (art in incarceration), date unknown

untitled (cat with red snapper), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (cat with red snapper), date unknown

untitled (Tule Lake: Castle Rock Mountain, cross), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake: Castle Rock Mountain, cross), 2002

untitled (white tiger cat, rabbit, dancing flame), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (white tiger cat, rabbit, dancing flame), date unknown

Mirikitani’s business card, Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

Mirikitani’s business card, after 2002

untitled (plane in flames), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (plane in flames), 2002–2006

untitled (Mirikitani’s ID card, keys) — untitled (Mirikitani’s ID card, keys) , date unknown

untitled (Kampo Cultural Center), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Kampo Cultural Center), after 2007

untitled (Pearl Harbor/Hiroshima), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Pearl Harbor/Hiroshima), date unknown

untitled (mountain with autumn leaves), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (mountain with autumn leaves), date unknown

untitled (Mirikitani’s fellow artists, friends & family), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Mirikitani’s fellow artists, friends & family), after 2002

untitled drawing (Japanese Castle), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled drawing (Japanese Castle), date unknown

untitled drawing (large owl in oak tree, moon), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled drawing (large owl in oak tree, moon), date unknown

untitled (samurai, Yasuo Kuniyoshi), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (samurai, Yasuo Kuniyoshi), date unknown

untitled (Pope John Paul II), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Pope John Paul II), 2005

untitled (Tule Lake: “after ten years”), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake: “after ten years”), 2002

untitled (homage to Li Ling Ai), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (homage to Li Ling Ai), 2003

untitled (Atomic Bomb Dome with cross), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Atomic Bomb Dome with cross), date unknown

untitled (“Cat of Foujita”), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (“Cat of Foujita”), 2011

untitled (bottle goard with cat and butterfly), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (bottle goard with cat and butterfly), date unknown

untitled (white tiger cat with blue eyes, bamboo), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (white tiger cat with blue eyes, bamboo), date unknown

untitled (Hurricane Katrina flood), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Hurricane Katrina flood), 2005

untitled (Hiroshima, Tule Lake, citizenship), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Hiroshima, Tule Lake, citizenship), after 2002

untitled (“Shōchikubai”: pine, bamboo, plum; “the three friends of winter”), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (“Shōchikubai”: pine, bamboo, plum; “the three friends of winter”), after 1999

untitled (Hiroshima peace, Kyoto temple), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Hiroshima peace, Kyoto temple), date unknown

untitled drawing (girl and rabbit under maple tree in autumn), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled drawing (girl and rabbit under maple tree in autumn), date unknown

untitled (mother cat and baby cat), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (mother cat and baby cat), date unknown

untitled (smiling cat, fish, leaves), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (smiling cat, fish, leaves), 2000–2001

untitled (round face cat with blue eyes), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (round face cat with blue eyes), 2006

untitled (Sleeping Cat with two blue fish), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Sleeping Cat with two blue fish), date unknown

untitled (“education paper” with owl), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (“education paper” with owl), before 2001

untitled (Tule Lake/Tokyo) , Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake/Tokyo) , 2006–2007

untitled (Yasuo Kuniyoshi and rabbit), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Yasuo Kuniyoshi and rabbit), 2012

untitled (Tule Lake: Castle Rock peak, cross) drawing (Tule Lake) , Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake: Castle Rock peak, cross) drawing (Tule Lake) , 2002

untitled (Nancy Regan, Wing Luke Asian Museum Presents), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Nancy Regan, Wing Luke Asian Museum Presents), after 2006

untitled (Tule Lake: view from bus to Seattle), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake: view from bus to Seattle), 2000

untitled (cat with ginger flower and barcode), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (cat with ginger flower and barcode), date unknown

untitled (Tule Lake: artist, rabbit, woman and child), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake: artist, rabbit, woman and child), circa 2001

untitled (Mirikitani age 91), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Mirikitani age 91), 2011

untitled (Atomic Bomb Dome, Pope John Paul II, Kannon), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Atomic Bomb Dome, Pope John Paul II, Kannon), circa 2005

untitled (cat with green fish on drawer), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (cat with green fish on drawer), date unknown

untitled (cats, blue fish, family portrait), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (cats, blue fish, family portrait), date unknown

untitled (Tule Lake: “rest in peace”), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake: “rest in peace”), 2002

untitled (Roger Shimomura and white dragon), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Roger Shimomura and white dragon), after 2001

untitled (Atomic Bomb Dome, Kannon riding a dragon), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Atomic Bomb Dome, Kannon riding a dragon), 2001

untitled (“Mt. Fuji” and flames in homage to Hayami Gyoshū), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (“Mt. Fuji” and flames in homage to Hayami Gyoshū), after 2001

untitled (World Trade Center and Kannon), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (World Trade Center and Kannon), 2005

板絵 itae (panel painting of cat and feather) — 板絵 itae (panel painting of cat and feather), 1800s, Edo period (1600–1868)

Jackson Pollock, Hans Namuth — Hans Namuth

Jackson Pollock, 1956

The Camps, Roger Shimomura — Roger Shimomura

The Camps, 2015

Passing Rain, Obata Chiura (1885–1975); Takimazawa — Obata Chiura (1885–1975); Takimazawa

Passing Rain, 1930

untitled (Tule Lake collage), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake collage), 2002

Autoportrait, le chat sur l-epaule, Tsugouhara Foujita — Tsugouhara Foujita

Autoportrait, le chat sur l-epaule, 1927

Miraculous Photo, Patrick A. Nagatani — Patrick A. Nagatani

Miraculous Photo, 1994

untitled (Atomic Bomb Dome and Kannon), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Atomic Bomb Dome and Kannon), 2001

untitled (Tule Lake: Cemetery), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake: Cemetery), 2002

untitled (Hurricane Katrina, Baton Rouge), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Hurricane Katrina, Baton Rouge), 2005

untitled (Pearl Harbor and Waikiki Beach), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Pearl Harbor and Waikiki Beach), date unknown

untitled ("The Most Intriguing Person"), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled ("The Most Intriguing Person"), 2002

untitled (Japanese bride, young Mirikitani), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Japanese bride, young Mirikitani), after 2002

untitled (Hiroshima/World Trade Center), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Hiroshima/World Trade Center), after 2001

untitled (Pearl Harbor/Western Japan/ South Korea), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Pearl Harbor/Western Japan/ South Korea), date unknown

untitled (Tule Lake), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake), after 2002

untitled (Kimura Buzan, Fudō Myō-ō, and thunder god), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Kimura Buzan, Fudō Myō-ō, and thunder god), date unknown

untitled (childhood daruma), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (childhood daruma), 2002

untitled (hot spring country), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (hot spring country), date unknown

untitled (Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial), date unknown

untitled (Tule Lake), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake), circa 2001

untitled (Tule Lake), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake), 2002

untitled (Tule Lake: shell gathering), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake: shell gathering), date unknown

untitled (grapes for Jackson Pollock), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (grapes for Jackson Pollock), circa 2006

untitled (two cats with red snapper), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (two cats with red snapper), date unknown

untitled (Battle of Midway), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Battle of Midway), date unknown

untitled (World Trade Center), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (World Trade Center), after 2001

untitled (Iraq War and owls), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Iraq War and owls), after 2003

untitled (Jesus, Mary and “homeless man” with cats), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Jesus, Mary and “homeless man” with cats), after 2002

untitled (small sleeping cat), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (small sleeping cat), circa 1950s

untitled (morning glories), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (morning glories), circa 1950s

untitled (hawk on a pine tree), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (hawk on a pine tree), circa 1950s

untitled (two cats, fish, vegetables), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (two cats, fish, vegetables), date unknown

untitled (Tule Lake: “End of War and Return”), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake: “End of War and Return”), circa 2002

untitled (big carp with purple iris), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (big carp with purple iris), date unknown

untitled (Atomic Bomb Dome: “No More War!”), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Atomic Bomb Dome: “No More War!”), date unknown

untitled (big turtle table collage), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (big turtle table collage), after 2002

untitled (Takeda castle), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Takeda castle), 1996

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, George Sakamoto — George Sakamoto

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, circa 1997

untitled (cat with autumn leaves), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (cat with autumn leaves), 1995–1997

untitled (fish from Seto Inland Sea), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (fish from Seto Inland Sea), before 2001

Paintings in Mirikitani’s New York Studio, unknown maker — unknown maker

Paintings in Mirikitani’s New York Studio, circa 1950s

photograph of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, George Sakamoto — George Sakamoto

photograph of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, circa 1997

untitled (kingfisher under “Japanese snowball”), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (kingfisher under “Japanese snowball”), circa 1950s

untitled (blue “Heike” crab), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (blue “Heike” crab), date unknown

untitled (Atomic Bomb Dome, Kannon, River), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Atomic Bomb Dome, Kannon, River), date unknown

untitled (Atomic Bomb Dome, Kannon, Nagasaki), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Atomic Bomb Dome, Kannon, Nagasaki), date unknown

Mirikitani in New York Studio, unknown maker — unknown maker

Mirikitani in New York Studio, circa 1950s

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, Satō Tetsurō — Satō Tetsurō

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, 1990s

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, Satō Tetsurō — Satō Tetsurō

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, 1990s

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, Satō Tetsurō — Satō Tetsurō

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, 1990s

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, Satō Tetsurō — Satō Tetsurō

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, 1990s

photograph of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani with Robert A.B. Sawyer, Charlotte Sawyer — Charlotte Sawyer

photograph of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani with Robert A.B. Sawyer, 1998–2001

untitled (round table cat), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (round table cat), 1998–2000

untitled (Tule Lake), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake), 1940s

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, Mikiko Matsuzaki (born 1970) — Mikiko Matsuzaki (born 1970)

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, 2000–2001

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, Mikiko Matsuzaki (born 1970) — Mikiko Matsuzaki (born 1970)

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, 2000–2001

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, Mikiko Matsuzaki (born 1970) — Mikiko Matsuzaki (born 1970)

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani on the streets, 2000–2001

untitled, Mikiko Matsuzaki (born 1970) — Mikiko Matsuzaki (born 1970)

untitled, 2001

untitled (“education paper” with owl 2), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (“education paper” with owl 2), before 2001

untitled (hiding cat and Japanese daikon), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (hiding cat and Japanese daikon), date unknown

untitled (Obama family) , Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Obama family) , after 2009

untitled (Tule Lake/Tokyo), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (Tule Lake/Tokyo), 2006–2007

Mirikitani presenting koi painting to Charles F. Seabrook, founder of Seabrook Farms, unknown maker — unknown maker

Mirikitani presenting koi painting to Charles F. Seabrook, founder of Seabrook Farms, circa late 1940s

Sumi-e artist demonstrating his craft (young Mirikitani), unknown maker — unknown maker

Sumi-e artist demonstrating his craft (young Mirikitani), circa late 1940s

Sumi-e painting presented to Charles F. Seabrook by Mitsunobu Mirikitani, unknown maker — unknown maker

Sumi-e painting presented to Charles F. Seabrook by Mitsunobu Mirikitani, circa late 1940s

COKE label, Keith Haring — Keith Haring

COKE label, 1985

Ema (votive plaque) — Ema (votive plaque), 1773, Edo period (1600–1868)

untitled (painting of cats by Mirikitani), Graham L. Schofield (1886–1953) — Graham L. Schofield (1886–1953)

untitled (painting of cats by Mirikitani), late 1940s–early 1950s

untitled (cat with blue peony), Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012) — Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920–2012)

untitled (cat with blue peony), circa 2001

The River of Time 時の河 , 吉田亜世美 Yoshida Ayomi (born 1958) — 吉田亜世美 Yoshida Ayomi (born 1958)

The River of Time 時の河 , 2026

untitled (Mirikitani looking at his painting) — untitled (Mirikitani looking at his painting), late 1940s

Image not available — Ōura Nobuyuki

IX, 1982–1983, Showa period (1926–1989)

Image not available — Linda Hattendorf

Sidewalk Stories, 2025

Image not available — Linda Hattendorf

Street Nihonga, 2025

Image not available — Linda Hattendorf

Affinities and Connections, 2025

Image not available — Linda Hattendorf

Tule Lake Memory-Scape, 2025

Image not available — Linda Hattendorf

Multiple Ground Zeros, 2025

Image not available — Linda Hattendorf

Entangled Memories, 2025

Image not available — Mirikitani painting Kannon, circa 1940s

Events

February 19, 2026

Social

Friends of the Art Museum Annual Spring Opening Reception

5:30–7:00PM

February 20, 2026

Screening

"The Cats of Mirikitani" and "Memories of Mirikitani"

7:00–9:30PM

February 28, 2026

Activity

Colorful Collage

1:00–4:00PM

March 5, 2026

Talk

Three Moments of Awakening: Roger Shimomura, TT Takemoto, Tsutaja Gaku

4:00–5:30PM

March 8, 2026

Talk

Caring for our Community Cats

1:00–2:00PM

April 9, 2026

Screening

"The Cats of Mirikitani"

5:00–6:30PM

April 12, 2026

Talk

Street Nihonga: The Art of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani

2:00–3:00PM

April 18, 2026

Activity

Conversations with Cats!

1:00–4:00PM

April 24, 2026

Conference

Expanding Perspectives: Nihonga in Contemporary Practice, History, and Beyond

April 25, 2026

Conference

Expanding Perspectives: Nihonga in Contemporary Practice, History, and Beyond

June 4, 2026

Performance

Conversations with the Ancestors I Never Got to Meet

5:30–6:30PM

June 14, 2026

Social

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani's Birthday Celebration

2:00–3:00PM

June 28, 2026

Social

Street Nihonga Open House

2:00–4:00PM

Resources

Documents

Media Coverage

Media Coverage

Media Release

Media Coverage

Media Coverage

Media Release

Media Coverage

Media Coverage

Media Coverage