Hello, gallery Dorei Mihotei here, if you're thinking "I'd like to visit a gallery, but... I can't get in" or not.

A gallery is a fun place to display and sell artwork, give performances, hold musical events... and much more. If you're thinking of trying a gallery for the first time, read on anyway.

And let's go.

So I came to the Hua Xue exhibition 'Touring Home' at Niigata Eya.

You will arrive at the Furumachi Campus of International Information on your left hand side, straight ahead. When you see Circle K, the wooden building is on your left across the road.

That is where Niigata Eya (http://niigata-eya.jp/) is located.

Niigata Eya is a gallery that was established in 2000 and became a non-profit organisation in 2005. Basically, it deals with works such as paintings and photographs. The gallery's main attraction is the building! It is an old wooden house that has been renovated.

Until 10 June there is the Hana Yuki Exhibition, but there are also two other exhibitions this month: from 12 to 20 June there is the Momo Hasuike Exhibition (coloured pencil drawings, etc.) and from 22 to 30 June there is the Hideo Ida Exhibition (oil paintings, etc.). Check out the website!

And the 'Hua Xue Exhibition' is said to change its exhibits every day, which is unusual.

No, but wait, it's my first time at a gallery, and isn't 'calligraphy' a bit of a hurdle? I don't even know what calligraphy is..."

Well, some people may think so, but take it easy.

Yes, enter the gallery.

On entering, the word 'house' is written on a black piece of paper!

'Wouldn't this look good on a phone case?'

I hear such conversations (delusional).

If you're probably going to the gallery for the first time, your heart might be racing here, but at any rate, there is a staff member at the back, so ask him or her.

It's kind of comforting to say "hello."

Basically, the staff at the gallery are harmonious, so don't worry.

And when you walk into the big room...

It's a calligraphy exhibition, so it's quiet. I thought it would be a quiet exhibition, but what the heck!

Dazzling daylight...

'Are they used for bran, floorboards?'

'This is a calligraphy exhibit, right?'

(A voice is heard saying).

It's exciting to be in a different world!

But, "All the letters written in black ink are just 'house', aren't they?" Don't think so!

They all have different impressions if you look closely at the same kanji character for 'house'.

Thick houses, thin houses. Faint houses, stout houses.

That's how it's displayed!

It's all becoming kind of fun.

If you're thinking, "Well, that's not what they say..." Well, let's think back to primary school.

Kanji characters were born from pictures, weren't they?

Look at the character for 'house' written by Hua Xue and associate each of them with what kind of 'house' they are.

'This is... a flat, this is a brick building, this looks just like my parents' house.'

Think of your own home in the world of wonders created by Hua Xue...

'B'!

(This is just one example of how to have fun, it's fun to do other things too).

What do you think? The truth is that galleries are easy to visit! It's best to look at things the way you like them, without any formalities.

...but I think the hardest part is to see it as you like it, so take a look at this report!

In the next issue, we sneak into the Hua Xue exhibition, which has changed its display!

Enjoy your stay.

Gallery information.

Niigata Picture Gallery

• Address: 1864, Kamiokawa-mae-dori 10-bancho, Chuo-ku, Niigata City.
• TEL & FAX: 025-222-6888
• Official website: http://niigata-eya.jp/