A New Year's special exhibition titled "Kore ga Matsu-Taka-zu da!" or these are paintings of hawks and pine trees, is being held at Nijo Castle in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto. On exhibit are a collection of 37 paintings on sliding doors, which are designated an Important Cultural Property, depicting thick pine trees and sharp-eyed hawks in powerful brush strokes. Visitors enjoyed the auspicious combination for the New Year.

It is said that "Matsu-Taka-zu" paintings were drawn by either Tanyu Kano or Sanraku Kano, conveying gorgeously-decorated dignity in the Momoyama Period style. They were replaced with replicas in 2003, and the originals are exhibited once a year through glass screens in a combined exhibition/storage hall within the castle.

The exhibition is located along the corridor in the O-hiroma Yon-no-ma chamber, inside Ninomaru Palace, where they originally were. Visitors were fascinated by the sliding doors with gold leaf, showing massive, dignified pine trees rooted in soil and a total of three valiant hawks and eagles resting on the branches depicted with vigorous brush strokes.

Explanations about the works will be provided by the curators at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on January 16 and 17. Associated with the exhibition, submissions for a coloring contest of Matsu-Taka-zu paintings will be accepted until January 15. The exhibition is open until February 11. There is 100 yen fee to enter the exhibition hall in addition to the 600 yen admission fee for Nijo Castle.