Official Project Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Nepal Photo Exhibition: “Kumari and Newar Festivals: Living Goddesses of the Modern Age"

2026 marks the momentous 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal. To commemorate this milestone, I am holding a photography exhibition.
Driven by a strong desire to meet the “Living Goddess" known as Kumari, I first visited Nepal in 2024. Over the course of three trips, I have met fifteen of these living goddesses, witnessing and photographing festivals involving the Kumari and the rituals surrounding the succession of the Kumari.
Since returning to Japan, I have exhibited my photographs at various events, including the Nepal Festival Kansai, embassy-hosted events, the Nepal Pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and other Nepal-related projects.
This time, I will be showcasing these photographs at the Onji Gallery and Onji Shrine in Yao City, Osaka Prefecture.

The first floor of the gallery will feature photographs focusing on Newar culture and festivals. The second floor will serve as the “Kumari Room," a space designed to immerse visitors in the world of the Kumari; it will display photos of the fifteen living goddesses I have met and actual Kumari costumes, while also hosting puja (ritual) demonstrations.

We have planned a variety of special events, including a talk by Professor Keiji Ueshima, a leading authority on Kumari research in Japan; an exhibition of a Kumari costume created by the renowned Nepali artisan Ravi Shakya; a live performance featuring singing and visuals by Sundari Mica, the only Japanese singer to receive an award from the King of Nepal; and a “Singing Bowl Sound Bath" (healing concert) by Toshihiro Ookita, a globally active performer who studied under the leading singing bowl master Santa Shakya.

Additionally, photographs of the Kumari will be exhibited at Onji Shrine—which boasts a history of over 1,500 years—and a special, limited-edition goshuin (shrine seal/stamp) featuring the Kumari will be available during the exhibition period.

Someone once remarked that my activities regarding the Kumari are just like “oshi-katsu" (devotedly supporting a favorite idol or character), and I found that comparison to be spot-on. Please do not miss this commemorative photography exhibition, filled with my passionate devotion to these goddesses—my “Kumari oshi-katsu." During the exhibition, I will also be conducting guided tours of the display and selling items such as books and pins related to the Kumari.

【Dates/Times】
August 29 (Sat) – September 5 (Sat), 2026 | 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
(Closes at 4:30 PM on the first day; 4:00 PM on the final day)
*Note: Mr. Tokui will be away from the venue starting at 3:00 PM on September 1.
【Venues】
Chakichian Gallery (3-1 Onji-nakamachi, Yao City, Osaka)
A gallery housed in the renovated rice storehouse of the Hagiwara Residence—a former Kawachi cotton wholesaler built 280 years ago and a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.
*Approx. 10-minute walk from Onji Station on the Kintetsu Osaka Line.
https://chakichian.co.jp/event/gallery-3/
Onji Shrine (5-10 Onji-nakamachi, Yao City, Osaka)
A shrine with a history spanning over 1,500 years, originally founded in 470 AD.
*Approx. 10-minute walk from Chakichian.
http://onji.or.jp/
【Organizer」
Satoshi Tokui (View bio here)
【Supported by】
Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Japan, Kansai Chapter
【In Cooperation with】
Onji Shrine, Dalbhat Shokudou, Toshihiro Ookita, Sundari Mica

Special Feature: An Interview with Keiji Ueshima, Author of *The Virgin Goddess* (Shojoshin), on the Kumari

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Keiji Ueshima, a religious anthropologist and the leading authority on the Kumari in Japan—as well as the author of the book Shojoshin (The Virgin Goddess)—to speak about the Kumari, accompanied by video footage. This is a rare and valuable opportunity to hear Dr. Ueshima discuss this subject. Don’t miss it!
A social gathering with Dr. Ueshima will be held after the lecture.
〇 Date/Time: August 29, 17:00–18:30.
〇 Reservations required. Limited to the first 30 participants. Participation fee: 2,000 yen.
Registration opens on this page starting August 1 at 0:00.
〇 Copies of Shojoshin (signed by the author; available from 17:00 on the 29th) will be sold at the venue; stock is limited.

Social Gathering (An opportunity to interact with Dr. Ueshima)

〇 Reservations required. Participation fee: 2,500 yen. Time: 18:45–20:30.
〇 Light Nepali food (delivered) and drinks will be provided.

→ Go to reservation page (opens Aug. 1)

Opening Puja (Ritual)

To pray for the successful holding of the exhibition and for the well-being of the Kumari, an opening puja (a Nepalese ritual) will be performed in the “Kumari Room" on the gallery’s second floor by Mr. Milanraj Subedi, who is qualified to conduct such ceremonies.
〇 Scheduled for 12:00–12:30. Open to the public.

Exhibition of Kumari costumes (created by Mr. Ravi Shakya)

We are exhibiting a Kumari costume created specifically for this event by Mr. Ravi Shakya—a renowned sculptor of divine images who has contributed significantly to Newar culture by crafting costumes for numerous Kumaris and creating the Bhairab statue in Patan. The exhibition also includes an informative display explaining the details of the costume. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to view an authentic Kumari costume in person.

Sundari Mica Live

Enjoy a mini-concert by singer Sundari Mica, who has been honored by the King of Nepal. Don’t miss this unique performance featuring a synchronization of powerful visuals from Nepal and traditional ethnic instruments!
〇 August 30: 14:00– / 16:00– (40 minutes each)
〇 Capacity: Approximately the first 20 people per session. No reservation required. Please arrive in time for the start of the performance. Please note that admission may not be possible if there is a high volume of attendees. 〇 Exhibition viewing is limited to the second floor only during the performance.

Toshihiro Ookita Singing Bowl Sound Bath

Join Toshihiro Ookita—a globally active practitioner who studied under Santa Ratna Shakya, the world’s leading authority on singing bowls—for a singing bowl workshop and a “Sound Bath" (healing concert). Experience the ultimate in relaxation.
〇 Date: September 4
〇 Workshop: 17:30–18:00. Free of charge.
〇 Sound Bath: 18:00–19:00.
Reservation required. Limited to the first 10 participants.
Participation fee: Voluntary contribution (donation). All proceeds will go toward supporting the education of children in Nepal.
Registration opens on this page at 0:00 on August 1.

→ Go to reservation page (available from Aug. 1)

Onji Shrine Kumari Photo Exhibition and Issuance of Limited-Edition Kumari Goshuin

At Onji Shrine, which was founded 470 years ago and has a history of over 1,500 years, we are exhibiting photos of Kumari that are not displayed in the gallery. You will receive a special goshuin stamp with images of Onji Shrine’s messengers, a dragon and a rabbit, and Nepal’s living goddess Kumari.
〇During the photo exhibition: 9:00–16:30
〇Goshuin stamp fee 500 yen

Sales of Kumari books and pin badges

We are offering the following items for sale: a book documenting Satoshi Tokui’s experiences in Nepal (3,500 yen), a photo book of the Kumari created specifically for this exhibition (2,000 yen), and a pin badge shaped like the “third eye" on the forehead—a symbol of the Kumari (900 yen). We would greatly appreciate your purchase to support these activities. 〇 Only a few copies of the 3,500-yen book remain; sales at this exhibition will end once stock runs out.

Satoshi Tokui Exhibition Tour Guide

The organizer, Satoshi Tokui, will walk you through the exhibition and share stories and details about the photographs. He will also be happy to answer any questions you may have. 〇 Sessions will be held at 13:00, 15:00, and 17:00 throughout the exhibition period. Participation is free. 〇 On September 1st, the session will be held only at 13:00; Mr. Tokui will be away from 15:00 onwards. 〇 On the final day, sessions will be held at 12:30 and 14:30.

　Did you know that Nepal has a young girl called the living goddess Kumari? For Hindus, who make up the majority of Nepal, she is a being who embodies goddesses such as Durga, Taleju, and Kali, and for Buddhists, she is a being who embodies goddesses such as Tara, Vasundhara, and Vajradevi, and is deeply revered by the Newar people.
The most famous is the Royal Kumari, who lives in the Kumari house in Dalbhat Square, the royal palace square in the capital, Kathmandu. When Nepal was once a monarchy, the king would visit the Kumari on the last day of the great festival known as Indrajatra, kneel before her, and receive a tika from her, which she does not normally use, on her left hand, demonstrating to the people his right to rule the country.
Even today, the Royal Kumari still lives in the Kumari house, and appears outside in formal attire only 13 times a year. The Kumari is selected from the Sakya clan, a clan believed to be descendants of Buddha and known for their gold and silver work. Only girls who meet certain criteria, such as meeting 32 physical characteristics called Batisurakchen and being under favorable astrological conditions, are chosen as Kumari. To avoid blood impurity, the Kumari retires at the time of her first period, and a new Kumari is chosen.
In addition to Royal Kumaris, there are also Local Kumaris, each unique to a particular region. During the late Malla period, the three cities of Bhaktapur, Kathmandu (Kantipur), and Patan (Lalitpur) flourished as royal capitals, and each had its own Royal Kumari. The Kumaris of Bhaktapur and Patan are now known as Local Kumaris, but as they were formerly Royal Kumaris, they hold a somewhat special place among them.
The Kumari in Bungamati play a major role in welcoming the rain god Machhendranath (Karunamaya), and are thought to hold an important position in history. There is also a Kumari in Nuwakot, a town perched on a high hill a bit far from Kathmandu. This was the base of operations for King Shah, who conquered the Malla dynasty, when he conquered Kathmandu. The royal square, Dalbhat Square, and royal palace that King Shah established remain to this day. The area is also home to a married living deity couple called Dhami and Dhamini, and Kumari has a deep connection to them and have their own unique personalities.
We know that there are several other local Kumaris in the Kathmandu Valley, but recently there have been some who became extinct around 2022, others who have been resurrected, Kumaris who only live for one day, and even a young girl from the family who is prayed for as Kumari during the festival celebrating the goddess Durga, known as Dashain. It is very difficult to know where and when a Kumari is, or what kind of being she is.
I became intrigued and decided I had no choice but to research it myself, so I visited Nepal for the first time in September 2024, where I was able to meet 10 Kumaris. I then visited Nepal in April 2025 and September 2025 to research Kumaris, confirm the existence of new Kumaris, observe the Kumari changing ceremony, and enjoy the festivals in which Kumaris appear.
In 2024, I held a “Photo Exhibition of 10 Kumaris" at Dalbhat Shokudo restaurant in Tanimachi, Osaka, and also held a Kumari photo exhibition at the 1st Nepal Festival. And “Nepal: A Country with a Unique Nature and Diverse Culture." sponsored by the Nepal Embassy and Tourism Bureau, and at the 12th Hoonko Lecture at Sorayama Saikoji Temple, In 2025, my Kumari photos were on permanent display at the Nepal Pavilion at the Kansai-Osaka Expo until the final day.
I would like to continue visiting Nepal to research Kumaris, experiencing Nepalese culture and sharing it in Japan, at first.

Satoshi Tokui

I hadn’t been abroad for nearly 20 years, but I decided to go to Nepal for the first time in 2024. Using my poor English, I met the living goddesses, the Kumari, experienced Nepalese festivals, and had the opportunity to connect with the people of Nepal.
To date, I have written a book about Kumari, held photo exhibitions, and held talks. If you would like to hear me talk about Kumari, please come by during one of my exhibitions or contact me.

If you need contact with me, please connect to tiktok, bellow this page, or facebook. My facebook account name is “1000kidsart".