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Ryugu Koromo
from Genshi-no-Nuno
Photography by Takashi Homma
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COSMIC WONDER
Ryugu Koromo
Genshi-no-Nuno
Photography by Takashi Homma
海の地平線を超えた美しい宮
浦島子は海に小舟をだし
龍の天界宮へといざなわれた
おとひめとちぎりをかわし
かみになるための瞑想にいそしんだ
わたしに帰する衣
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We were pleasure to hold the 20th anniversary performance “Ryugu koromo Genshi-no-Nuno” at Center for COSMIC WONDER on March 19, 2017.
An atelier of Miyama was appeared for performance, Genshi-no-Nuno (Antique bast-fiber textiles, usually called primitive textiles), Washi (Japanese hand crafted paper), Koromo are composed of Natural material, “Noren” (Japanese curtain) and Craft tools.
Summer Sale
We are pleased to hold “Summer Sale” at Center for COSMIC WONDER.
Date:
July 1 − July 19, 2017
*Closed period: July 20 − 26
*Center for COSMIC WONDER Online Store: July 4 / 12pm − July 19 / 12pm
Place:
5-18-10 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T. +81 (0)3 5774 6866
Takashi Ichikawa
Chaguruma
At Center for COSMIC WONDER, we are pleased to present Takashi Ichikawa’s “Chaguruma” (tea cart) exhibition.
For his participation in the collective exhibition held at the Wachi-yama Nogusa-no-mori in Kyotanba, Kyoto, Ichikawa created “Chaguruma No.1” a collection of tea ceremony tools to be carried to the fields and the forest. Since then he has created tea carts for various occasions, with “Chaguruma No.5” meeting its completion this year.
Amidst such course of events, he has also introduced works such as “Cha-rry (carry)” that takes a form similar to a trunk, and “Cha-unter (counter)” a counter that can be carried on one’s back.
These works are presented in various locations from Kyoto, Sendai, Taipei, Beijing, Yunnan, Wuhan, Xi’an and Inner Mongolia, where unique moments of tea are respectively held.
On the occasion of this exhibition, we will present works centering on Ichikawa’s “Chaguruma” including “Cha-rry” and “Cha-unter.” Also throughout the duration of the exhibition, teaware made by Ichikawa will be available for purchase.
We look forward to welcoming visitors with the Chaguruma that resonates with the scene of ancient tea fields and the spirit of our present day as a means to reawaken our mind and senses.
Exhibition period:
June 10 – June 18, 2017
*Closed on June 9
*The artist will be attending on June 10
Opening reception:
Saturday, June 10 / 11am, 2pm, 4pm
As a celebration for the opening of the exhibition, Takashi Ichikawa will held “Chaguruma (Tea cart)” with served Higashi by Kousagisha, Kyoto.
Place:
5-18-10 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T. +81 (0)3 5774 6866
Open 11am – 7pm
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Tea Cart and Teaware
In 2007 I met 李曙韻 (Mr. Lee) and became acquainted with Taiwanese tea. I was fascinated by the fragrant scent of Taiwanese tea, and through the beauty and freeness of Mr. Lee’s tea, had come to witness a new world of tea. Thereafter when Mr. Lee had moved the base of his activities to Beijing, I had the opportunity to encounter Chinese tea. The tea from the continent embodied a sense of richness, and was wealthy in variety. Learning about the profoundness of tea through the history of its culture such as its consideration as food, medicine, and connections to Zen and dissemination throughout the world, I found myself becoming more and more enticed by the appeal of tea. The creation of teaware is a difficult task. Nevertheless, the way one relates to tea through making its tools is indeed interesting, and I find it rewarding to think about tools from the practice of brewing tea.
When I encounter palatable tea I feel the urge to visit the place where it was cultivated. In time I had developed the desire to go to Xishuangbanna (Yunnan province) that is recognized as a place that produces enticingly tasteful tea in hopes to also encounter ancient tea trees. Thereafter I was granted the opportunity to visit an ancient tea tree that is over one thousand years old. The ancient tree had born very large tea leaves, standing tall high above one’s head. It was clearly different to any tea tree I knew. Observing the way it grew amidst the wilderness of the mountain, I channeled my awareness towards the long extending roots and rays of the sun that streamed upon it. The art of the tea ceremony was born amidst the history of tea, yet by sensing the presence of this ancient tree (the origins of tea), I was able to emotionally engage with “tea” in a different sense of mind. I am also very attracted to and interested in the aspects surrounding tea and its relationship with the moon (seasons), fire (sun), water (body), tree (leaves, roots), gold (day), earth (ceramics).
While developing my hopes of communicating the appeal of tea to many people through its tools, I had come to gain an interest in the “Song Dynasty Tea Ceremony Diagram” and the many images that I saw at the Hangzhou Tea Museum in China, which depicted literates enjoying tea outside. From these images I could discern people “seemingly carrying something curious” that looked different to tea boxes used in tea ceremonies, and through this experience I strongly realized this too, was one of the ways of enjoying one’s time with tea.
Takashi Ichikawa
1967 Born in Shiga Prefecture
Studied sculpture at university
1993 Worked at Furuya Pottery (Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture)
1997 Apprenticeship under Mr. Nariyoshi Morioka (Wakayama Prefecture)
1999 Built a down-draft firewood kiln and a kerosene kiln
2000 Held a series of solo exhibitions throughout Japan
Built a firewood climbing kiln and a charcoal kiln
2008 Held solo exhibitions in 人澹如菊茶書院 (Taiwan)
台北茶家十職(Taiwan), 北京茶家十職 (China)
He is involved in activities such as “Chakakigoto” and “Chaiyuuki.”
Translation by Kei Benger
Photography by Takashi Ichikawa
COSMIC WONDER with Kogei Punks Sha
“Omizue Iwamino-Kamito-Mizu” Film Screening
To mark the release of “Omizue Iwamino-Kamito-Mizu” a new publication from Iwami Art Museum , we are pleased to present film Screening of performance “Omizue”and “Preparations for the Omizue”.
It is our hope to provide a glimpse into this moment through the images within this beautiful films.
“Preparations for the Omizue”：8mm film (17 minutes)
Filming: Yukinori Maeda
Editing: Fumitaka Kato
“Omizue”：8mm film (14 minutes)
Filming / Editing: Fumitaka Kato
Date:
May 22 − June 8, 2017
5:30pm − 7pm
Place:
5-18-10 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T. +81 (0)3 5774 6866
COSMIC WONDER with Kogei Panks sha
“Omizue: Iwamino-Kamito-mizu ” The first edition
An art document “Omizue: Iwamino-Kamito-mizu ” is being published on the occasion of the exhibition, August 2016 at Iwami art Museum.
This book includes an introduction of various tools for Omizue,Yurie Nagashima’s photographs, text by Kogei Punks Sha, Naoto Ishii, Kenji Mukunoki (Shimane Art museum) and Risa Hirota (Iwami Art museum).
All contents of the work” Omizue: Iwamino-kamito-mizu” are collected.
Cover paper is letterpress on Jadoshi (Sekishu-Washi is used by Iwami Kagura). Composed of mimeograph printing, a piece of Washi from Paper koromo attached.
Released on May 18, 2017
Book concept: Kogei Punks Sha
21cm x 26.5cm
53 Pages
300 copies
Published by Iwami Art museum
Available from Iwami Art museum, Center for COSMIC WONDER, gallery Hakuden
The silent furnace of the unknown gives birth to a new light.
Vol.2
to sleep 2002 A Shadow Necessary for Windows 2002 Curtain dress and dress to pause for it. * What invisible view should be ~ from some pictures 2003 N.H: These works were produced during a time when you had engaged in a succession of artistic installations. In “ to sleep,” various clothing were integrated with interior furnishings for example, a drawer and a dress, and a necklace and a coat hanger. In “A Shadow necessary for windows,” clothing and curtains are attached to each other, with fringes being arranged throughout. I am very fond of the installations …[Read more]