In a rewritable recording apparatus using a recording medium 1 having a recording layer which exhibits a color developing property when a first kind of heat energy is applied thereto and a tone reducing property when a second kind of heat energy is applied thereto, a recording-energisation control section 34 supplies an image recording signal corresponding to a desired display image to a heating device 3 to cause it to generate heat with the first kind of heat energy. This heating device 3 imparts the first kind of heat energy to the recording medium 1, whereby a desired display image is recorded on the recording medium 1. An erasure control section 35 supplies an image erasing signal corresponding to a desired erasing range to the heating device 3 so as to cause it to generate heat with the second kind of heat energy. This heating device 3 imparts the second kind of heat energy to the recording medium 1, whereby the image recorded on the recording medium 1 is erased.