The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) is set to unveil Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow, an expansive art exhibition showcasing the renowned Japanese contemporary artist‘s vibrant and thought-provoking works. Opening to the public on May 25, 2025, and running through September 7, 2025, this exhibition marks one of Murakami’s most significant presentations in the United States in recent years.
Originally debuted at The Broad in Los Angeles in 2022, the Cleveland iteration offers an expanded scope, featuring over 100 paintings and sculptures that blend traditional Japanese art with contemporary pop culture influences such as anime and manga.
A centerpiece of the exhibition is the re-creation of the Yumedono (Hall of Dreams) from Nara’s Hōryūji Temple, installed in the museum’s Ames Family Atrium. This full-scale replica houses four soaring paintings by Murakami, inviting visitors into a fantastical realm that bridges historical architecture with modern artistry.
Among the notable works on display is the monumental 82-foot-wide painting In the Land of the Dead, Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow (2014), which reflects on Japan’s historical traumas through a lens of vibrant color and intricate detail.
Murakami’s exhibition delves into themes of crisis, healing, and cultural response to trauma, drawing inspiration from significant events such as the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Through his signature Superflat style, Murakami reimagines these historical moments, offering a nuanced dialogue between traditional and modern global artistic movements.
To commemorate the exhibition, the CMA is offering Cleveland-exclusive merchandise, including limited-edition trading cards, prints, and drawings created specifically for this presentation. The first 50,000 visitors will receive a free, exclusive trading card as a keepsake of this moment in art history.
Additionally, docents will be available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. throughout the exhibition to provide background information and answer questions about the artworks. This service is free to all visitors.
Tickets are available at clevelandart.org.
