An interesting announcement this Tuesday from the Matsuzakaya Nagoya department store: a statue of Kenshiro covered in gold leaf (金箔ケンシロウ, Kinpaku Kenshiro) will be unveiled exclusively at the “SGC Grand Gold Exhibition” (大黄金展), from June 3 to 8, 2026. And the highlight of the event: Buronson in person, the legendary scriptwriter of Hokuto no Ken, will be present at the official inauguration.
An official ceremony
The inauguration will take place on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 9:30 AM, just before the public opening of the exhibition, in the main event hall on the 7th floor of Matsuzakaya Nagoya. The event is designed as a press conference, but the department store has also decided to invite 10 VIP customers selected by lottery from holders of their credit card and app.
The official press release emphasizes the exceptional nature of the work. It is a life-size statue of “Kenshiro” never before shown to the public, covered in genuine gold leaf using traditional Japanese techniques. A creation that joins Japan’s long tradition of gilded craftsmanship, here applied to one of the most powerful icons of modern manga.
Height: 6’4″ / Price: 44 million yen (tax included) (~$1,000) / Number of gold leaves: ~1,500
This golden Kenshiro joins another SGC project that began in 2023, which had already seen the creation of a 8’2″ gold leaf statue of Raoh, exhibited in Tokyo (Tamagawa Takashimaya) and Kobe (Daimaru) in February and March 2023.
Buronson in attendance: a rare event
What makes this announcement truly interesting is the confirmed presence of Buronson (Yoshiyuki Okamura), the scriptwriter of Hokuto no Ken, at the ceremony. Public appearances by the master scriptwriter are relatively rare, and seeing him directly associated with this golden work underscores the importance the production places on the event.
For hardcore fans, this is a unique opportunity to meet the man who, alongside Tetsuo Hara, shaped the universe of Hokuto no Ken since 1983. The event takes place as part of the franchise’s 40th anniversary, which seems to be multiplying celebrations (new adaptation, collaborations, exhibitions) for 2026.
Public exhibition from June 3 to 8
While this event is reserved for invitees, the exhibition itself is open to the public for six days, from June 3 to 8, 2026, at Matsuzakaya Nagoya. A golden opportunity (no pun intended) for fans in Japan or traveling to Nagoya to discover this work.
As a reminder, Matsuzakaya Nagoya is one of the most prestigious department stores in the Chubu region and regularly hosts themed exhibitions blending traditional art and pop culture. The partnership with Hokuto no Ken and Buronson’s presence mark a new milestone in the recognition of the franchise in Japan.
Source: Matsuzakaya Nagoya Official Blog
