The Unchanging Light Within the Flow

Pablo Kenji Official Portfolio

Fugaku コレクション

The Fugaku Collection

The True Essence of Mt. Fuji:
Capturing a Fleeting 30-Minute Twilight Window.

The true essence of Mt. Fuji reveals itself in the evening. Within a brief 20 to 30 minutes at dusk, the sacred mountain transforms its expression minute by minute. In "The Fugaku Collection," I capture that fleeting spectacle with divine speed and precision, pouring the instant visual inspiration directly onto the canvas through my unique creative filter.

Long revered as "Reiho" (the Sacred Peak), Mt. Fuji has been worshiped as a mountain where gods dwell. It is not I who am painting; I am being guided to paint by the divine spirit residing within Mt. Fuji. The overwhelming, transcendent energy of the mountain will vividly emanate to you from every single one of my powerful brushstrokes.

PHILOSOPHY

To paint the "invisible" that lies behind the visible world.

To capture the wind, the sounds, the scents, and the presence of something beyond ourselves.

This life may often be filled with suffering.

Yet, I believe it is art alone that has the power to enrich our souls and bring us joy.

And at the same time, art holds that ultimate mission.

BIOGRAPHY

Born in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture, an area renowned for its rich artistic heritage, Pablo Kenji (born Kenji Akahira) was raised in a highly distinguished cultural lineage. His grandfather served as a master instructor of Makie (Japanese lacquer art) at the Tokyo University of the Arts, leaving an enduring legacy by crafting the delicate lacquerwork for the doors of the National Diet Building and the ceremonial chair of the Emperor of Japan. His family connections span celebrated figures in Japanese history, including the prominent novelist Yojiro Ishizaka and Her Imperial Highness Hanako, Princess Hitachi. His elder brother is also a highly acclaimed Western-style painter.

After studying Art History at Waseda University and pursuing legal studies at Meiji University, Kenji formally trained under the tutelage of the legendary Masters Toichiryoh Fujimoto (Member of the Japan Art Academy and Professor at Tokyo University of Education) and Setsuo Kirinoe (Councilor of the Nitten Exhibition). From his sensational debut, where he was immediately selected for the prestigious Kofukai Exhibition, Kenji consistently swept major awards across the art world. However, choosing a path of pure creative freedom over academic politics, he departed from mainstream art circles to become known as a "solitary master," showcasing his masterpieces strictly through curated solo exhibitions.

His vibrant, light-filled oil paintings have been exhibited at the most prestigious venues worldwide, including Mitsukoshi, Takashimaya, Nichido Gallery, the Imperial Hotel, and the Dubai International Convention Centre, garnering widespread acclaim across television, radio, and national newspapers. Today, while operating his historic family shoe-shining business in front of the iconic Tokyo Station Marunouchi Exit, Pablo Kenji continues his relentless pursuit of the absolute pinnacle of visual art.
[ History & Awards ]
1950 Born in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
1968 Graduated from Higashi-Katsushika High School. Entered Shobi University, Department of Flute, subsequently performing as a professional flute and alto saxophone player.
1976 Graduated from Meiji University, Faculty of Law.
1978 Graduated from Waseda University, Department of Art History. Entered Musashino Art University Junior College (Correspondence Course), where his piece "Still Life" was purchased by the university. Studied under Toichiryoh Fujimoto and Setsuo Kirinoe. Selected for the Kofukai Exhibition upon his debut. Held a solo exhibition at Waseda University.
1979 Nominated as a candidate for the Agency for Cultural Affairs Domestic Researcher. Exhibited at the New Artists' Sketch Exhibition. Held a solo exhibition at Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank, Funabashi Branch.
1980 Received the Matsuda Paint Award at the "Dia Salon '80" Exhibition. Exhibited at the "5 Recommended Artists Exhibition" (Gallery Matsumoto).
1982 Donated his work to the Kumagaya Prefectural Center. Held a solo exhibition at Saitama Prefectural Gallery (Kumagaya).
1983 Received the Encouragement Award at the Kofukai Exhibition (Reviewed in the Asahi Shimbun).
1984 Co-founded and exhibited at the "Shunrai-ten" Exhibition (Ginza Art Gallery).
1985 Exhibited at the 8th Contemporary Nude Exhibition (Nichido Gallery).
1986 Invited to the 21st Showakai Exhibition (Nichido Gallery). Held numerous two-man exhibitions at Gallery Forte (Reviewed in the Asahi Shimbun). Exhibited at the "Bell no Kai" 4-Artist Exhibition (Chikyudo Gallery). Held a solo exhibition at Art Journal Gallery (Reviewed in the Yomiuri Shimbun). Invited to the 7th Japan Gallery Association Exhibition (Tokyo Central Museum).
1987 Exhibited at the Morikazu Kumagai Sketch Society (Morikazu Kumagai Museum) and Ginza Yamato Gallery. Featured in the "Painting Flowers" Popular Artists Oil Painting Exhibition (Maruhiro Department Store, Kawagoe). Held a solo exhibition at Ginza Chuo Gallery. Pastel Drawing Solo Exhibition at Sunshine City, Ikebukuro.
1988 Held a solo exhibition at Ginza Shoko Gallery. "Kenji Akahira Collection Exhibition" at Matsuya Ginza.
1989 Traveled across the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain to research major museum masterpieces.
1990 Exhibited at the Peace Art Exhibition (Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum). Oil Painting Exhibitions at Suzuki Art Gallery and Gallery Yumebando.
1991 Oil Painting Exhibitions at Maruhiro Department Store (Iruma), Suzuki Art Gallery, and Mitsukoshi (Fukaya).
1992 "Exhibition of Works from Europe" at Ikebukuro Mitsukoshi Art Gallery (held 6 solo exhibitions across various branches). Held a solo exhibition at Tobu Funabashi. Illustrated the cover art for the magazine "Gospel and Society".
1993 Invited to "INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS IN BARCELONA '93" (Spain). Exhibited at TIAS (Tokyo International Art Show). Co-founded the "Gogo-no-Kai" Exhibition at Ikebukuro Mitsukoshi.
1994 "The 3rd Exhibition of Works from Europe" at Ikebukuro Mitsukoshi Art Gallery. Oil Painting Exhibition at Isetan Urawa.
1995 "The World of Kenji Akahira" Exhibition at Shinjuku Mitsukoshi. Oil Painting Exhibition at Seibu Funabashi.
1996 Held numerous solo exhibitions at prestigious department stores, including Nihombashi Takashimaya, Yokohama Takashimaya, Kashiwa Takashimaya, Takasaki Takashimaya, and Shinjuku Mitsukoshi.
1998 Held a solo exhibition at Yokohama Takashimaya (completed 6 solo exhibitions across branches). Oil Painting Exhibition at Gallery Yumebando.
2000 Received the Excellence Award at the Kita Ward Art Exhibition.
2005 Held a solo exhibition at Nihombashi Takashimaya (Reviewed in the Hochi Shimbun). Named an Honorary Member of the ABELLO Art Foundation (Spain).
2006 "Exhibition of Works from Europe" at Night Gallery Flower.
2007 Exhibited at the Mignon Exhibition at Nichido Gallery (exhibited annually thereafter).
2008 Held a solo exhibition at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
2009 Received the Senzo Miura Award as an Invited Exhibitor at the 39th Juju-ten Exhibition.
2010 Exhibited at the Mignon Exhibition (Nichido Gallery). "Exhibition of Works from Europe" at Cafe Space 101.
2013 Exhibited at the Japan Forest Art Exhibition (exhibited 3 times thereafter). Exhibited at the Mignon Exhibition (Nichido Gallery).
2014 Exhibited at the Mignon Exhibition (Nichido Gallery). Oil Painting Exhibition at Night Gallery Flower.
2018 "Koichi & Kenji Akahira Oil Painting Exhibition" at Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store. "Pablo Kenji Oil Painting Exhibition" at Hokutopia Underground Exhibition Hall A.
2019 Exhibited at the Mignon Exhibition (Nichido Gallery). Held a solo exhibition at Cafe Space 101.
2020 "Pablo Kenji and Masterpieces Exhibition" at Hasegawa Gallery, Ginza. "Depicting Mt. Fuji" Oil Painting Exhibition at Night Gallery Flower. Solo Exhibition at Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store. Art Exhibition at Cafe Space 101.
2021 "The World of Pablo Kenji" at Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store. Art Exhibition at Cafe Space 101. 50th Anniversary Exhibition "Sound of the Wind" at Imperial Hotel Plaza GALLERY MARCESTEL. "Depicting Mt. Fuji & Jazz Saxophone Performance" at Night Gallery Flower.
2022 Published his autobiography, "Japan's Best Shoe Shiner and Picasso," with a commemorative exhibition at Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store. Received the Special Prize at the 48th Kasama Citizens' Art Exhibition.
2023 "Pablo Kenji Oil Painting Exhibition — 52nd Anniversary of Painting & Publication" at Imperial Hotel Plaza GALLERY MARCESTEL.
2024 "Pablo Kenji & Marc Estel Exhibition" at Imperial Hotel Plaza GALLERY H&T. "Pablo Kenji & Koichi Akahira Joint Exhibition" at Kasama Public Hall (Celebrating the Special Prize at the 48th Kasama Citizens' Art Exhibition). Solo Exhibition as a member of Ichinoe-kai and Kake-no-kai at Night Gallery Flower accompanied by a Live Jazz Saxophone Performance.
2025 "Pablo Kenji Oil Painting Exhibition" at Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store. "Painting & Evening of JAZZ" at Night Gallery Flower.
2026 "Pablo Kenji Mt. Fuji Exhibition & Saxophone Performance" at Night Gallery Flower. Permanent Exhibition established at a Tokyo Sumo Stable and Tokyo Tower (4th Floor).
Pablo Kenji