Exhibitions and Events

About "Future of Creation"
As of September 2014, we are presenting a new series of exhibitions, "Future of Creation," each of which takes a distinctive theme and embodies a trend now in the making. We are guided in this endeavor by four creators from the forefront of Japanese art and architecture who join us as supervisors--Toshio Shimizu (artistic director), Ryohei Miyata (metal artist), Toyo Ito (architect), and Kengo Kuma (architect). Each undertakes a three-month long exhibition, for a total four exhibitions each year.


Introduction by MIYATA Ryohei
Japanese kōgei, often translated as "artisan crafts" or "art crafts," has evolved uniquely in the course of its long history, generating a universe of highly creative works that are shaped by individual sensibilities and characterized by the employment of richly varied materials and techniques sourced from nature. While inheriting and preserving tradition, kōgei artists have treasured and nurtured their original artistic ideas and philosophies.

This exhibition, the fifth LIXIL Gallery show I have curated, aspires to engender new creations by bringing together kōgei works from across different schools and styles, which have kept to their own unique paths until now. The exhibition is based on the belief that Japanese kōgei can achieve fresh growth by revisiting its own roots.

The Modern Minstrels in Metalworking exhibition held in 2018 showcased examples of metalwork from a splendid range of schools and techniques, including hammering, casting and engraving, constituting a significant achievement in my view. This year's exhibition takes the approach one step further, and delves into the fundamental question of what kōgei is by assembling compelling works of kōgei made using a diverse range of materials and techniques.

The works in this exhibition were selected with the advice and generous cooperation of Dr. Tokugo Uchida, executive director of MOA Museum of Art, and Prof. Yuji Akimoto, director of the University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts, both of whom I wish to thank deeply.

I am excited about the prospect of this exhibition serving as a springboard for Japanese kōgei's voyage into new, uncharted waters.

(Metal artist, professor emeritus of Tokyo University of the Arts, and supervisor for this exhibition)



  • MIYATA Ryohei, metalwork, b.1945, Sado
  • MUROSE Kazumi, urushi work, b.1950, Tokyo
  • FUJINUMA Noboru, bamboowork, b.1945, Tochigi
  • MAEDA Masahiro, ceramics, b.1948, Kanagawa
  • TSUKIOKA Yuji, kirikane, b.1949, Tokyo
  • NAKADA Kazuo, ceramics, b.1949, Kanazawa
  • KOBAYASHI Shoukoh, texitiles, b.1955, Kyoto
  • OHI Toshio, ceramics, b.1958, Kanazawa
  • HONMA Hideaki, bamboowork, b.1959, Sado
  • MAEDA Hirotomi, metalwork, b.1961, Tokyo
  • KAWAKITA Hirohiko, woodwork, b.1962, Ishikawa
  • AOKI Kodo, urushi work, b.1976, Tokyo
  • MIYATA Ryohei, metalwork, b.1945, Sado
    ”Life in Stillness”, W62×D26×H52cm
  • MUROSE Kazumi, urushi work, b.1950, Tokyo
    Decorative Plate “Syukou”, W48.5×D48.5×7.5cm, Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property for maki-e technique
  • FUJINUMA Noboru, bamboowork, b.1945, Tochigi
    "A-UN", W44×D44×H26cm, Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property for bamboowork technique
  • MAEDA Masahiro, ceramics, b.1948, Kanagawa
    Bowl with overglaze enamels, W42.5×D42.5×H9.5cm
  • TSUKIOKA Yuji, kirikane, b.1949, Tokyo
    kirikane "Flower Dance", 89.4×130.3cm
  • NAKADA Kazuo, ceramics, b.1949, Kanazawa
    Jar with White Silver Glaze and Underglaze Silver Decoration, W15×D15×H18.6cm
  • KOBAYASHI Shoukoh, texitiles, b.1955, Kyoto
    " Yō ", 100×80cm
  • OHI Toshio, ceramics, b.1958, Kanazawa
    Ceremonial Vessel ' Sonsu', W75×D30×H35cm
  • HONMA Hideaki, bamboowork, b.1959, Sado
    " Flowing Pattern-2019 ", W72×D24×H81cm
  • MAEDA Hirotomi, metalwork, b.1961, Tokyo
    Hammer worked silver vessel with inlay of gold, W19×D19×H30cm
  • KAWAKITA Hirohiko, woodwork, b.1962, Ishikawa
    Bowl of zelkova wood, W37.2×D37.2×H19.8㎝
  • AOKI Kodo, urushi work, b.1976, Tokyo
    Amulet Box ”Vitality”, W27×D27×H56cm
Date 7 February - 19 March, 2019
Open Hours 10:00 - 18:00
Closed Wednesdays, 24 February, 2019
Admission Free
Planned and organized by LIXIL Corporation

MIYATA Ryohei

Profile
1945 Born in Sado, Niigata Prefecture
1972 Completed master’s program, Metal Hammering course,Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts
1997 Professor, Department of Crafts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts
2005 President, Tokyo University of the Arts (March, 2016)
2016 to present: Commissioner for Cultural Affairs
Ehibitions and Awards
1990 Overseas researcher dispatched by the Ministry of Education,Science and Culture, Germany, Solo Exhibition, Germany
2007 Prime Minister’s Award, the 46th Modern Japanese Crafts Arts Exhibition
2009 Prime Minister’s Award, the 41th Nitten Exhibition
2012 The 68th Japan Art Academy Prize
2013 “Ryohei Miyata exhibition”, Takashimaya Nihombashi, Yokohama, Osaka and JR Nagoya
2015 “Ryohei Miyata exhibition - To the sea -” (Mitsukoshi,Nihonbashi)
Professor emeritus of Tokyo University of the Arts,
Chairman, the Tokyo 2020 Emblems and Mascot Selection Committee
and Sumo Association, etc.
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  • February, 2019
    photo:Chieko Shiraishi
  • February, 2019
    photo:Chieko Shiraishi
  • February, 2019
    photo:Chieko Shiraishi
  • February, 2019
    photo:Chieko Shiraishi
  • February, 2019
    photo:Chieko Shiraishi
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