Genichiro Inokuma’s large-scale mural Freedom is installed above the central ticket gates at JR East’s Ueno Station. Painted in 1951, amid the turbulence of the postwar years, the mural is an iconic presence at Ueno Station, long known as the northern gateway to Tokyo. For more than 70 years, it has kept watch over the countless people passing through.

Because of material shortages that made it difficult to obtain the proper art supplies at the time of its production, and because it is in the open environment of a train station, the mural is vulnerable to damage. It has undergone three restorations to ensure it remains in good condition. During the third restoration, which began in May 2025, a banner placed in front of the mural reading “Freedom is Being Restored” drew attention on social media. The phrase had a dual meaning with political implications, and elicited renewed interest in the mural itself.

As part of the ongoing renovation of JR Ueno Station’s grand concourse, which includes the restoration of Freedom, an initiative is also underway to create visual continuity throughout the station. This is being carried out using Ueno Freedom Color, a contemporary palette that the creative unit SPREAD derived from the colors of Freedom, which is applied to signage and facilities within the station.

This exhibition focuses on the mural Freedom at Ueno Station, tracing its history from its creation to the present day. It offers an opportunity to reflect on the ideas conveyed by the title Freedom and by Inokuma’s own words: “Painting should not be the property of the few. It should serve the many, and should bring joy and offer direction to as broad an audience as possible.”