For those unable to visit Tokyo National Museum to see Iwasa Matabei’s iconic 17th-century gold leaf painting Rakuchu Rakugai Zu Byobu, the Gagosian gallery in London offers a captivating alternative this December. Takashi Murakami, one of Japan’s most celebrated post-war artists, has unveiled a large-scale replica that adds his distinct contemporary flair to the historic masterpiece.

In his first UK solo exhibition in over 15 years, Murakami recreates Iwasa’s six-panel folding screen, originally painted around 1615. The artwork vividly portrays Edo-period Kyoto, capturing scenes from the bustling red-light district of Misuji-machi to a cherry blossom parade crossing the Gojo Ohashi Bridge. However, Murakami introduces a modern twist: his signature rainbow-hued flower characters, playful anime animals, and a reimagined use of gold leaf. These additions bring a whimsical energy to the traditional landscape, blending history with Murakami’s signature pop art style.

Despite these updates, the piece remains a near-perfect replica of the Japanese government-designated “National Treasure.” Murakami achieved this fidelity partly through artificial intelligence. “The original painting had significant wear, with about 20% missing,” he explained at the exhibition’s opening. “AI helped fill in the gaps, and we iterated back and forth until it felt cohesive.” The entire process, from outlining to detailed painting, took 10 months and involved a team of 30 people.

AI’s role in creative industries remains controversial, with many artists opposing its use for replicating their works. Yet Murakami views it as an inevitable evolution, likening it to past shifts in design technology. “When I started, traditional designers dismissed computer-generated art,” he said. “Now, it’s standard. Maybe AI will be the same in 10 or 20 years.”

Murakami’s engagement with Japan’s artistic heritage extends beyond Iwasa. His reimagined versions of Edo-period classics by artists like Kano Utsunenobu and Tawaraya Sotatsu mix traditional aesthetics with contemporary anime influences. In his adaptation of Sotatsu’s Wind God and Thunder God, for instance, the deities are transformed into lively cartoonish figures, balancing reverence with reinvention.

Murakami’s innovative approach highlights the intersection of tradition and technology, emphasizing evolution in both art and humanity. “For me, it’s fascinating,” he said. “This is what human beings do—adapt and evolve.”