Special Exhibition from Masayuki Kusumi, Creator of Kodoku no Gurume: Unseen Works Revealed

Legendary manga author Masayuki Kusumi is surprising his fans with his personal exhibition titled "Kusumi Masayuki Okuradashi-ten" (Masayuki Kusumi's Hidden Treasures), which opened its doors in Tokyo's art-filled district of Kichijoji. This special event, which began on May 5th and will continue until May 10, 2026, can be visited free of charge at the Art Space Ouro gallery. The exhibition shares with the public for the first time a massive archive of previously unseen works that have been waiting for years in the famous author's study and family home.

Known as the creator of the globally phenomenal series Kodoku no Gurume (The Solitary Gourmet), Masayuki Kusumi is not only a manga author but also a talented musician and essayist. Kodoku no Gurume, with illustrations by the legendary artist Jiro Taniguchi, is a work that changed the perception of food culture in Japan and became a cult classic through a series of adaptations spanning many years. Kusumi stated that he aims for this exhibition to be "a fun experience where you won't know what you'll encounter," presenting the rawest forms of his creative process to enthusiasts.

Among the pieces featured in the exhibition are not only manga drafts (nemu) and original manuscripts, but also Kusumi's drawings from his elementary school years, lithographs he prepared at the Bishogakko art school, and unpublished paintings. Additionally, musical scores reflecting the artist's identity as a musician, old brochures, personal photographs, and notes are also on display for visitors. This variety reveals the creative evolution of an artist from childhood to the present day in its entirety.

The Kichijoji district is a region that has served as both Kusumi's studio location and an inspiration for many of his works, which is why