Murakami's aged men show Japan's post-disaster spirituality

[...] Murakami's arhat figures leer back at the world, some with toothless grins, as though stuck in half-crazed greed rather than seeking enlightenment.

Murakami has won both praise and criticism for his unabashed commercialism, starting his own brand Kaikai Kiki Co., which sells not just the usual postcards and art books, but also mugs, cushions, cell-phone cases and T-shirts emblazoned with his designs, as well as figures and dolls.

In his typically defiance, Murakami recommends exhibit viewers keep their serious spirituality to about 30 percent of their energy, and revel in tourism, splurging and fun for the rest.

The official shop that's part of the exhibit is taking orders for a 486,000 yen ($4,000) tote bag with Murakami's skull design, complete with a certificate.

At the museum coffee shop, where walls are splashed with Murakami flowers and his balloon figures hang from the ceiling, visitors enjoy a selection of cakes and omelets in flower shapes.

At the entrance stands a striking life-size likeness of Murakami, with rolling eyes and moving lips — except the top face is peeling off to reveal yet another face — an eerie reminder that art, like life and truth, can be illusory.