Kakogawa City Matsukaze Gallery to Reopen on June 1st After Renovation; Ceremonies and Concert Scheduled for May 30th

The Kakogawa City Matsukaze Gallery in Hyogo Prefecture will officially reopen on Monday, June 1, 2026, after undergoing extensive renovation work for approximately five months.

This renovation was made possible through generous donations from individuals and organizations committed to local cultural promotion, including Mr. Yoshihiro Hasegawa, Harima Chemicals Group, Inc., and Hasegawa Kosan Co., Ltd. With this heartfelt support from the community, Kakogawa City aims to make the newly renovated facility a more accessible space for art and relaxation for all citizens.

Prior to the public reopening, a memorial ceremony and preview for stakeholders will be held on Saturday, May 30. This will be followed by a commemorative concert by renowned composer Toshiaki Matsumoto, performing on the gallery's prized Bösendorfer piano, one of the world's top three piano brands.

Reopening Ceremony & Preview (Stakeholders Only) Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM Location: Matsukaze Gallery (1736 Yoshino, Noguchi-cho, Kakogawa City) Contents: Mayor's address, presentation of appreciation certificates, ribbon-cutting, and facility tour.

Commemorative Concert Performer: Composer Toshiaki Matsumoto Instrument: Bösendorfer Piano Part 1: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Stakeholders Only) Part 2: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (Public: Admission Free) *Registration Closed

【About the Instrument: Bösendorfer】 The 2nd-floor music hall of the gallery houses a masterpiece from the Austrian manufacturer Bösendorfer: the Model Senator 225. Known for their hand-crafted quality since 1828, the company produces only about 300 units per year. This specific model features 92 keys—more than the standard 88—offering exceptionally rich resonance in the low and mid-ranges. The piano underwent its first complete overhaul since the gallery's opening in 2024.

First Post-Renovation Exhibition: "Suekichi Hasegawa Collection" The first event in the renovated exhibition rooms will showcase valuable Western-style paintings collected by the late Suekichi Hasegawa, the gallery's donor. Works by artists such as Kumaji Aoyama, Ikunosuke Shirataki, and Heizo Kanayama will be on display. Period: Monday, June 1 – Friday, June 12, 2026 Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Open daily during the period) Admission: Free

About Kakogawa City Matsukaze Gallery Matsukaze Gallery opened in May 1994, following a donation to the city by Suekichi Hasegawa, founder of Harima Chemicals Group. Currently managed by the Kakogawa City Art Association, the facility features two exhibition rooms and one music hall, serving as a versatile venue for art exhibitions, concerts, and piano recitals.