Frogs playing the shamisen, skeletons in top hats, and a painter jailed for his jokes. Meet Kawanabe Kyosai, the eccentric 19th-century master whose humour still makes us laugh.

Tucked away in Gion is Kahitsukan, a museum currently exhibiting works by 20th-century artists, none of them trained calligraphers, who brought their own sensibilities to the art of ink and brush.

Somewhere between 25,000 pieces of calligraphy, I find myself hit by an epiphany that calligraphy is nothing but the traces of the soul. A calligrapher explains why.

The Nara National Museum celebrates its 130th anniversary with a rare and reverent gathering of National Treasures — sacred objects of devotion drawn from across Japan.

Susumu Shingu’s wind sculptures are more than kinetic art — they are therapy for the soul.

With a modern twist, traditional puppetry transcends storytelling, illuminating the memories and history of a land long forgotten by most.

Otome Bunraku is a rare Japanese puppetry tradition that features a solo female puppeteer. Through her skilled performance, stories and myths come to life through a uniquely feminine lens.

Mansai Nomura, an esteemed Kyogen actor and designated preserver of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Japan, eloquently describes Kyogen’s stage as a crossroad where the threads of comedy and the tapestry of life come together.

Join me as we step into Kanazawa Noh Museum — a haven that unravels the rich history, cherished traditions, and emotional tapestry of Noh, a time-honoured Japanese performing art.

Nestled on the outskirts of Tokyo, Omiya is both the home and custodian of Bonsai, the centuries-old art of growing miniature trees in a pot.