In Tokyo, Japan, the exhibition “Kazakh Mythology” by Karim Baigutov, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, laureate of the “Daryn” Youth Prize, and member of the Union of Artists of the Republic of Kazakhstan, was organized at a high level and attracted great interest from the audience.

The exhibition featured graphic works created using the xylography technique. The main feature of the project is the presentation of Kazakh mythology through a modern artistic language and the vivid representation of the deep philosophical content of the national worldview in the international cultural space. The exhibition concept clearly demonstrates that xylography is considered not only as a technical method but also as a unique artistic language reflecting cultural memory, symbolic systems, and historical consciousness.

This exhibition was implemented within the framework of a scientific project. In particular, the exposition was prepared based on the project AP25796905 “Modification of Kazakh mythology and engraving in art education using the Design Thinking approach” and was developed on the basis of scientific research. Here, Kazakh mythology is presented not only as a folklore heritage but also as a profound spiritual and cognitive system explaining the structure of the world, the relationship between humans and nature, and the balance between the sacred and the frightening, life and death, order and chaos.

The high level of the exhibition was confirmed by the wide audience it attracted. The event was attended by Aidos Kurmangaliuly, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Japan; Hirofumi Abe, Director of Print Gallery Tokyo + PP; students and faculty members of Joshibi Art University and Tama Art University, including Toshihide Kaibori; as well as Takao Moriki, Director of Moriki Paper, and other art enthusiasts. This demonstrates the broad support the exhibition received from professional, academic, and cultural communities. The curator of the exhibition was Zhanerke Shaigozova, Professor of the Department of Art Education, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences.

In addition, representatives of the Japan-Kazakhstan Bridge Friendship GIA – Official Dimash Japan Fan Club also attended the exhibition. Among them were Fumi Furuyama and Midori Yasue. This indicates that the exhibition attracted not only the professional art community but also representatives of various cultural circles in Japan, audiences interested in Kazakh art, and international friendship organizations. They participated not as official representatives, but as viewers interested in Kazakh art, thereby enhancing the significance of the exhibition.

“Abai University” Media Center