PRESS - 2026.02.27
“Modern Legacy” & “Bloom Now” Auctions Related Events and Content Release ― twelvebooks Collaboration / Talk Event / Highlight Videos and More―
ENGLISH：Download the press release
日本語：プレスリリースのダウンロード
SBI Art Auction will hold “The 77th SBI Art Auction | Modern Legacy: An Important Japanese Collection of 20th & 21st Century Masters” on Saturday, March 14, 2026, followed by “The 78th SBI Art Auction | Bloom Now” on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Alongside the auctions and previews, a range of related programs will be presented throughout the week. Art book distributor twelvebooks will host a special display and sale of publications inspired by the auction lineup. A talk event focusing on Léonard Tsuguharu FOUJITA, the artist of Portrait d'Hélène Franck—the main visual of the “Modern Legacy” sale—will also be held, along with a pop-up event at Tokyo International Forum Plaza. In addition, a stamp rally will take place across three venues, including the main preview and a satellite exhibition space, inviting visitors to explore each location during the Tokyo art week.
Introduction videos featuring two works from the “Modern Legacy” sale—James ROSENQUIST’s Untitled and Yoshishige SAITO’s Work 1—are now available. Additionally, the transcript of the dialogue event “The Market’s Eye / The Critical Perspective — A Dialogue on the Modern Legacy Sale,” held during the Early Highlight Viewing this January, has been published.
twelvebooks Picks
A Special Art Book Selection Inspired by the Auction Lineup
Inspired by the lot lineups of the Modern Legacy and Bloom Now sales, twelvebooks—an art book distributor—presents a selection of titles chosen from its own unique perspective. Alongside insights that help deepen understanding of each artist and work, these books also reveal the layered nature of contemporary expression and the connections that run across it. We hope this serves as a gateway to discovering art books rich in inspiration and learning, whether you are considering bidding or just beginning to explore collecting. In addition to the books featured here, the venue also offers a wider range of related titles for browsing and purchase—please be sure to take a look.
■ About twelvebooks
Founded in Tokyo in 2010, twelvebooks is a distributor specializing in art books. As the exclusive Japanese representative for selected international publishers, twelvebooks manages the distribution and promotion of their publications with a vision of making art books more widely accessible. twelvebooks is also involved in various art book initiatives, including organizing the TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR. In November 2024, twelvebooks opened SKWAT/twelvebooks in Nishikameari, Katsushika, a space that offers public access to its storage warehouse.
■Event Page (including publication details)
https://sbiartauction.webflow.io/lp/202603-lp
SBI ART AUCTION TOKYO 2026
Satellite Exhibitions, Pop-ups, and a Stamp Rally
During the preview and auction period of both the “Modern Legacy” and “Bloom Now” sales, a stamp rally will be held at the venues and dates listed below. Visitors are invited to explore each location and collect stamps.
In addition, a pop-up space will be open again this year at the Tokyo International Forum Plaza. Visitors who present an ART FAIR TOKYO 2026 ticket or an invitation email from SBI Art Auction will receive one complimentary cup of coffee. Please feel free to stop by.
① “Modern Legacy” Auction Preview - Main Venue
Thursday, March 12, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (JST)
Friday, March 13, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (JST)
Saturday, March 14, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM (JST)
Venue: Tokyo International Forum Hall D7
② “Bloom Now” Auction Preview – Main Venue (some works are also on view at Venue①, Hall D7)
Thursday, March 12, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (JST)
Friday, March 13, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (JST)
Venue: Tokyo International Forum Hall D1
③ Jaume PLENSA, Tokyo's soul (“Modern Legacy” auction / Lot 025)
Thursday, March 12, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (JST)
Friday, March 13, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (JST)
Saturday, March 14, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (JST)
Venue: Tokyo International Forum Lobby Gallery
④ Auction Sale Room
Talk Event about Léonard Tsuguharu FOUJITA: Saturday, March 14, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM (JST)
“Modern Legacy” Auction: Saturday, March 14, 2:00 PM (JST)-
“Bloom Now” Auction: Sunday, March 15, 2:00 PM (JST)-
Venue: Tokyo International Forum Hall D5
⑤ Plaza Pop-up (No artworks will be exhibited. No stamp is available at this venue.)
Thursday, March 12, 11:00AM-5:00 PM (JST)
Friday, March 13, 11:00AM-5:00 PM (JST)
Saturday, March 14, 1:00PM-5:00 PM (JST)
Sunday, March 15, 1:00PM-5:00 PM (JST)
Venue: Tokyo International Forum Plaza
Transcript Now Available “The Market’s Eye / The Critical Perspective
— A Dialogue on the Modern Legacy Sale”
(Held on Thursday, January 29, 2026)
The transcript of the dialogue event “The Market’s Eye / The Critical Perspective— A Dialogue on the Modern Legacy Sale,” held on Thursday, January 26, 2026, at Daikanyama Hillside Forum, has been published.
Organized in conjunction with the Early Highlight Viewing of the single-owner collection sale, “The 77th SBI Art Auction | Modern Legacy: An Important Japanese Collection of 20th & 21st Century Masters,” the event welcomed critic MINAMISHIMA Ko. Through an exchange between market and critical perspectives, the discussion explored the historical context and values embodied in the collection, as well as the collector’s aesthetic vision revealed through it. The dialogue offers an opportunity to reconsider how artworks are interpreted and what defines a collection.
■ English Transcript to be published soon: https://www.sbiartauction.co.jp/news/article/204
Highlight Work Introduction Videos Released
First Feature: SATO Yoshishige, Work 1
A series of videos introducing highlight works from the “Modern Legacy” sale is now available. The first video features SAITO Yoshishige’s Work 1. SAITO was a leading avant-garde figure in postwar Japanese art and is also known for supporting artists associated with the Mono-ha movement.
The second video, to be released soon, will focus on James ROSENQUIST’s Untitled, a work that vividly reflects the atmosphere of late-1960s American contemporary art by one of the leading figures of Pop Art.
We invite you to view the videos via the links below.
・Feature Video: Yoshishige SAITO, Work 1
・SBI Art Auction YouTube Channel
“Modern Legacy” & “Bloom Now” Auctions Information
■Auction Information
“The 77th SBI Art Auction | Modern Legacy: An Important Japanese Collection of 20th&21st Century Masters”
Auction:
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026, 2:00 PM (JST)-
Venue: Tokyo International Forum, Hall D5 (3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005)
Preview:
Date:
Thursday, March 12, 2026, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (JST)
Friday, March 13, 2026, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (JST)
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (JST)
Venue: Tokyo International Forum, Hall D7 (3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005)
Bidding Methods:
On-site, Telephone, Absentee, and Online bidding.
Auction Live Streaming:
YouTube Streaming
■Auction Information
“The 78th SBI Art Auction | Bloom Now”
Auction:
Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026, 2:00 PM (JST)-
Venue: Tokyo International Forum, Hall D5 (3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005)
Preview:
Date:
Thursday, March 12, 2026, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (JST)
Friday, March 13, 2026, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (JST)
Venue: Tokyo International Forum, Hall D1, D7 (3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005)
Bidding Methods:
On-site, Telephone, Absentee, and Online bidding.
Auction Live Streaming: YouTube Streaming
■About our auction
SBI Art Auction holds public auctions offering a diverse selection of fine works including contemporary art created in and after the 20th century, as well as modern art, photography, design, and crafts that enrich the lifestyles of a wide variety of clients.
With registered customers from over 63 countries* and approximately 50% of auction sales attributed to international bidders, SBI Art Auction proudly stands as Japan's most globally connected auction house.
In addition to showcase works by prominent Japanese artists, we will actively introduce works by international artists rarely featured in Japanese auctions, contributing to the growth and expansion of Japan's art market.
*As of January 2025
■How to participate in our auction
The auction is held by bidding for the sale price.
Customers who participate for the first time are requested to register in advance.
For more information on how to buy works at auction, please see the following page.
Details on how to participate and buy
■Upcoming auction (TBC)
“The 79th SBI Art Auction | Live Stream Auction”
Auction Date: Friday, April 10 – Saturday, April 11, 2026
“The 80th SBI Art Auction | Modern and Contemporary Art”
Auction Date: Friday, May 22 – Saturday, May 23, 2026
■About us
SBI Art Auction Co., Ltd. provides a wide variety of services corresponding to our clients' needs, including auctioning, brokering private sales, financing, and consulting. Our aim is to ensure that more people come to appreciate the pleasure, importance, and fun of owning artworks, while at the same time helping them to keep their artworks in good condition over the long term and pass them along to the next generation.
Company name: SBI Art Auction Co., Ltd.
Representative Director: FUJIYAMA Tomohiro
Address: TFT Building East Wing, 3-6-11 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-0063 JAPAN
Established: April 1, 2011
Homepage
Instagram
*Please be aware of impersonation attempts mimicking our website.
日本語：プレスリリースのダウンロード
SBI Art Auction will hold “The 77th SBI Art Auction | Modern Legacy: An Important Japanese Collection of 20th & 21st Century Masters” on Saturday, March 14, 2026, followed by “The 78th SBI Art Auction | Bloom Now” on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
Alongside the auctions and previews, a range of related programs will be presented throughout the week. Art book distributor twelvebooks will host a special display and sale of publications inspired by the auction lineup. A talk event focusing on Léonard Tsuguharu FOUJITA, the artist of Portrait d'Hélène Franck—the main visual of the “Modern Legacy” sale—will also be held, along with a pop-up event at Tokyo International Forum Plaza. In addition, a stamp rally will take place across three venues, including the main preview and a satellite exhibition space, inviting visitors to explore each location during the Tokyo art week.
Introduction videos featuring two works from the “Modern Legacy” sale—James ROSENQUIST’s Untitled and Yoshishige SAITO’s Work 1—are now available. Additionally, the transcript of the dialogue event “The Market’s Eye / The Critical Perspective — A Dialogue on the Modern Legacy Sale,” held during the Early Highlight Viewing this January, has been published.
twelvebooks Picks
A Special Art Book Selection Inspired by the Auction Lineup
Inspired by the lot lineups of the Modern Legacy and Bloom Now sales, twelvebooks—an art book distributor—presents a selection of titles chosen from its own unique perspective. Alongside insights that help deepen understanding of each artist and work, these books also reveal the layered nature of contemporary expression and the connections that run across it. We hope this serves as a gateway to discovering art books rich in inspiration and learning, whether you are considering bidding or just beginning to explore collecting. In addition to the books featured here, the venue also offers a wider range of related titles for browsing and purchase—please be sure to take a look.
■ About twelvebooks
Founded in Tokyo in 2010, twelvebooks is a distributor specializing in art books. As the exclusive Japanese representative for selected international publishers, twelvebooks manages the distribution and promotion of their publications with a vision of making art books more widely accessible. twelvebooks is also involved in various art book initiatives, including organizing the TOKYO ART BOOK FAIR. In November 2024, twelvebooks opened SKWAT/twelvebooks in Nishikameari, Katsushika, a space that offers public access to its storage warehouse.
■Event Page (including publication details)
https://sbiartauction.webflow.io/lp/202603-lp
SBI ART AUCTION TOKYO 2026
Satellite Exhibitions, Pop-ups, and a Stamp Rally
During the preview and auction period of both the “Modern Legacy” and “Bloom Now” sales, a stamp rally will be held at the venues and dates listed below. Visitors are invited to explore each location and collect stamps.
In addition, a pop-up space will be open again this year at the Tokyo International Forum Plaza. Visitors who present an ART FAIR TOKYO 2026 ticket or an invitation email from SBI Art Auction will receive one complimentary cup of coffee. Please feel free to stop by.
① “Modern Legacy” Auction Preview - Main Venue
Thursday, March 12, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (JST)
Friday, March 13, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (JST)
Saturday, March 14, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM (JST)
Venue: Tokyo International Forum Hall D7
② “Bloom Now” Auction Preview – Main Venue (some works are also on view at Venue①, Hall D7)
Thursday, March 12, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (JST)
Friday, March 13, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (JST)
Venue: Tokyo International Forum Hall D1
③ Jaume PLENSA, Tokyo's soul (“Modern Legacy” auction / Lot 025)
Thursday, March 12, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (JST)
Friday, March 13, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (JST)
Saturday, March 14, 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (JST)
Venue: Tokyo International Forum Lobby Gallery
④ Auction Sale Room
Talk Event about Léonard Tsuguharu FOUJITA: Saturday, March 14, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM (JST)
“Modern Legacy” Auction: Saturday, March 14, 2:00 PM (JST)-
“Bloom Now” Auction: Sunday, March 15, 2:00 PM (JST)-
Venue: Tokyo International Forum Hall D5
⑤ Plaza Pop-up (No artworks will be exhibited. No stamp is available at this venue.)
Thursday, March 12, 11:00AM-5:00 PM (JST)
Friday, March 13, 11:00AM-5:00 PM (JST)
Saturday, March 14, 1:00PM-5:00 PM (JST)
Sunday, March 15, 1:00PM-5:00 PM (JST)
Venue: Tokyo International Forum Plaza
Transcript Now Available “The Market’s Eye / The Critical Perspective
— A Dialogue on the Modern Legacy Sale”
(Held on Thursday, January 29, 2026)
The transcript of the dialogue event “The Market’s Eye / The Critical Perspective— A Dialogue on the Modern Legacy Sale,” held on Thursday, January 26, 2026, at Daikanyama Hillside Forum, has been published.
Organized in conjunction with the Early Highlight Viewing of the single-owner collection sale, “The 77th SBI Art Auction | Modern Legacy: An Important Japanese Collection of 20th & 21st Century Masters,” the event welcomed critic MINAMISHIMA Ko. Through an exchange between market and critical perspectives, the discussion explored the historical context and values embodied in the collection, as well as the collector’s aesthetic vision revealed through it. The dialogue offers an opportunity to reconsider how artworks are interpreted and what defines a collection.
■ English Transcript to be published soon: https://www.sbiartauction.co.jp/news/article/204
Highlight Work Introduction Videos Released
First Feature: SATO Yoshishige, Work 1
A series of videos introducing highlight works from the “Modern Legacy” sale is now available. The first video features SAITO Yoshishige’s Work 1. SAITO was a leading avant-garde figure in postwar Japanese art and is also known for supporting artists associated with the Mono-ha movement.
The second video, to be released soon, will focus on James ROSENQUIST’s Untitled, a work that vividly reflects the atmosphere of late-1960s American contemporary art by one of the leading figures of Pop Art.
We invite you to view the videos via the links below.
・Feature Video: Yoshishige SAITO, Work 1
・SBI Art Auction YouTube Channel
“Modern Legacy” & “Bloom Now” Auctions Information
■Auction Information
“The 77th SBI Art Auction | Modern Legacy: An Important Japanese Collection of 20th&21st Century Masters”
Auction:
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026, 2:00 PM (JST)-
Venue: Tokyo International Forum, Hall D5 (3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005)
Preview:
Date:
Thursday, March 12, 2026, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (JST)
Friday, March 13, 2026, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (JST)
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (JST)
Venue: Tokyo International Forum, Hall D7 (3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005)
Bidding Methods:
On-site, Telephone, Absentee, and Online bidding.
Auction Live Streaming:
YouTube Streaming
■Auction Information
“The 78th SBI Art Auction | Bloom Now”
Auction:
Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026, 2:00 PM (JST)-
Venue: Tokyo International Forum, Hall D5 (3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005)
Preview:
Date:
Thursday, March 12, 2026, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (JST)
Friday, March 13, 2026, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (JST)
Venue: Tokyo International Forum, Hall D1, D7 (3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0005)
Bidding Methods:
On-site, Telephone, Absentee, and Online bidding.
Auction Live Streaming: YouTube Streaming
■About our auction
SBI Art Auction holds public auctions offering a diverse selection of fine works including contemporary art created in and after the 20th century, as well as modern art, photography, design, and crafts that enrich the lifestyles of a wide variety of clients.
With registered customers from over 63 countries* and approximately 50% of auction sales attributed to international bidders, SBI Art Auction proudly stands as Japan's most globally connected auction house.
In addition to showcase works by prominent Japanese artists, we will actively introduce works by international artists rarely featured in Japanese auctions, contributing to the growth and expansion of Japan's art market.
*As of January 2025
■How to participate in our auction
The auction is held by bidding for the sale price.
Customers who participate for the first time are requested to register in advance.
For more information on how to buy works at auction, please see the following page.
Details on how to participate and buy
■Upcoming auction (TBC)
“The 79th SBI Art Auction | Live Stream Auction”
Auction Date: Friday, April 10 – Saturday, April 11, 2026
“The 80th SBI Art Auction | Modern and Contemporary Art”
Auction Date: Friday, May 22 – Saturday, May 23, 2026
■About us
SBI Art Auction Co., Ltd. provides a wide variety of services corresponding to our clients' needs, including auctioning, brokering private sales, financing, and consulting. Our aim is to ensure that more people come to appreciate the pleasure, importance, and fun of owning artworks, while at the same time helping them to keep their artworks in good condition over the long term and pass them along to the next generation.
Company name: SBI Art Auction Co., Ltd.
Representative Director: FUJIYAMA Tomohiro
Address: TFT Building East Wing, 3-6-11 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-0063 JAPAN
Established: April 1, 2011
Homepage
*Please be aware of impersonation attempts mimicking our website.
