EVENT
AAWAA
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October 7 − November 26, 2023
Tango Ancient Village Museum
108 Miya Tango-cho, Kyotango
Open 9:30 am − 5 pm
Closed Tuesday
ECHO TOMORROW FIELD
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Takashi Ichikawa
Tools for an imaginary people
Back to the starting point for the future
It has been a long time since I have fired a Yakishime ware.
I am referring to the earthenware (Haji) vessels that I used to bake in my early days. The clay is from Lake Biwa, whose shores have been slowly receding since ancient times. The soil, from the mountain where the ancient lake bed was raised, once kneaded, is left to rest. I plan to take about six days for the firing process.
Upon discovering the charm of tea, I started making tea utensils, earthenware bottles, furnaces, Chagurama (Tea wheels), Ochamochi (Tea boxes), and other tea items. While working with tea only gets more and more interesting, I have also made a variety of tableware.
So this time I will try to make vessels and utensils that show both my current point of view and my past experiences. In other words, I am thinking about the future, looking upward, while perhaps also circling back to my origin. For this exhibition, I would like to display objects that retain the quiet memory of clay, with all its primordial power, while keeping the flow of fantastical folklore intact.
Takashi Ichikawa
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We are pleased to present Takashi Ichikawa’s exhibition, “Tools for an imaginary people Back to the starting point for the future”, at the Center for COSMIC WONDER. This exhibition, the seventh in a series, will present new tea ceremony utensils and earthenware made from clay from the mountains where the Lake Biwa bed was raised in Shiga, which is where Ichikawa lives. We are pleased to welcome Gendo Sawamura and Hina Sawamura, who are active in communicating the infinite power of wildflowers, for a workshop and tea ceremony featuring wildflowers.
We look forward to your visit.
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Exhibition period:
September 16 – September 24, 2023 / Open throughout the exhibition period
16th and 17th are by appointment only.
*Reservations for visits on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 have been closed. From the 18th on, visitors may enter freely. Entry will be restricted during busy times.
Venue:
5-18-10 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T. +81 (0)3 5774 6866
Open noon – 6pm
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Opening Event:
1. Workshop “Sora tea”
The purpose of this event is to transform the wildflowers at our feet through light, water, and fire.
Enjoy the stories of wild grasses told with the tea tools of Takashi Ichikawa and sweets of yoin, including a demonstration of the process of picking grasses for making Sora tea (a wild herbal tea concoction).
Saturday, September 16
noon – 2:30 pm
Sunday, September 17
noon – 2:30 pm
Reservation required
Fee: 15,000 JPY
2. Tea ceremony “Sora”
To free up the mind and body. To let the fragrance of the grass, the power of the earth, and the life of the field permeate the cells and spirit. Enjoy the stories of wild grasses, Sora tea (a wild herbal tea concoction), confectionery by yoin, and tea tools made by Takashi Ichikawa.
Saturday, September 16
4pm – 5:30 pm
Sunday, September 17
4pm – 5:30 pm
Reservation required
Fee: 13,000 JPY
*All the seats are booked.
yasousora / Gendou Sawamura and Hina Sawamura
Learning from grasses about how people and grasses can thrive together.
Based in Fukuoka, Japan, they are active in communicating the life energy of wild grasses through wild teas.
COSMIC WONDER with Kogei Punks Sha
“NONO a native spirit of Kami and Cloth”, an exhibition commemorating the publication of the catalogue
We are pleased to announce the publication of the catalogue of the exhibition “NONO a native spirit of Kami and Cloth” by COSMIC WONDER with Kogei Punks Sha. The exhibition was held at the Shimane Iwami Art Museum in March 2021 and the catalogue is published by AKAAKASHA. In preparation for the exhibit, Kogei Punks Sha spent two years traveling around Japan and researching native fabrics, handmade papers, and sites where ancient spirits dwell. The exhibition was shaped by their unique interpretations of spirituality.
“NONO OMIZUE” was also held to capture what emerged from these experiences.
The catalogue is offset printed with additional stencil printing. The cover is letterpress printed on washi (paper) by Isao Nakamura of the Haigyu Area, Tokushima Prefecture, and bound by hand. Also included is a special insert of washi made of fibers from beaten taima-fu (hemp cloth) by Takaharu Maeda of Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture.
For this exhibition to launch the catalogue, we will display Kamikoromo (paper garments), Kamimino (paper raincoats), and tools made by COSMIC WONDER with Kogei Punks Sha for “NONO OMIZUE,” alongside a selection of native fabrics and bast fibers. Please take your time to enjoy the exhibition in the fresh greenery. The catalogue will be released at the Center for COSMIC WONDER on Saturday, May 27.
Exhibition catalogue “NONO a native spirit of Kami and Cloth”
Published: March 21, 2023 by AKAAKASHA
Book concept: Kogei Pankus Sha (Yukinori Maeda, Sumiko Ishii)
Design: Maki Yoshimura
Cover Washi: Isao Nakamura
First edition: 1000 copies
Exhibition period:
May 27 – June 3
Open 11am – 6pm *Closed on May 31
Venue:
gallery hakuden
7 Moriyamada, Kyotanba-cho, Funai-gun, Kyoto
t/f 0771-82-1782
Photo:
Fish drying hut, Okidomari area, Shimane Prefecture
(circa 1945-30, when Fuji-fu (wisteria cloth) fishing nets were in use)
Spring Equinox Crafts and Arts Festival
We are pleased to announce the “Spring Equinox Crafts and Arts Festival” exhibition at Center for COSMIC WONDER featuring new works by artists Naoto Ishii, Sumiko Ishii, Keisuke Sugimoto, and Mikuko Nakamura.
Naoto Ishii, based in Tamba, Kyoto, seeks to express through his pottery that which lies beyond time and space. His work includes earthenware pots and feather pots fired in a climbing kiln, as well as bowls made of German white clay. Sumiko Ishii, who incorporates unseen dimensions of handcraft into her work, creates shoulder bags made of old cotton cloth from left in an old Korean chest and spools and needle pins made of snow-bleached natural cloth. She also makes grass pillows with abstract impressions made with handmade Japanese paper from Yomogi(Japanese mugwort) and Kuromoji trees. Keisuke Sugimoto, a contemporary artist who makes paintings inspired by the structure and movement of time and space will exhibit “Surface of Time”. Mikuko Nakamura expresses the manifestation of prayer through her arrangements of wild and mountainous plants. She was taught by a women of Latvia, where she once visited, that the crowns for festivals were made of flowers, oak leaves, and other plants in the fields. She brings her experience in cord weaving to weaving grass, drawing inspiration from her family, friends, and loved ones. Nakamura searches for the right grasses, collects them, washes and arranges them, creating amulet-like weaves with a quiet consciousness.
We look forward to your visit.
Exhibition period:
March 11 – March 30
*Artists will be present on March 11.
Venue:
5-18-10 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T. +81 (0)3 5774 6866
Open noon – 6pm
From top to bottom
Keisuke Sugimoto “Surface of Time”
Naoto Ishii “Ai”
Sumiko Ishii “Spool and needle pillow of primitive textile”
Mikuko Nakamura “Weaving of Biwa leaf”
Video screening
COSMIC WONDER
North Village Light
We will be pleased to present a show video of the 2023 S|S|A|W collection “North Village Light” and display samples at Center for COSMIC WONDER.
We look forward to your visit.
Dates:
Saturday, February 18 – Sunday, March 9, 2023
Venue:
5-18-10 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
03-5774-6866
Noon – 6pm
Karin Schlageter
Hanayo collaboration with COSMIC WONDER
TAMAUSAGI
“文車妖妃 ・La sorcière des Fuguruma” is a research notebook created by independent curator Karin Schlageter during her residency at Villa Kujoyama, Kyoto, and is an exhibition and event program. All together put the series of events resembles the chapters of a book with no beginning and no end. “文車妖妃 ・La sorcière des Fuguruma” centers on a new look at the inheritance of the vernacular in contemporary creation, and seeks to encourage a sincere reinterpretation, putting aside issues of authenticity and heritage. In the fourth chapter of “文車妖妃 ・La sorcière des Fuguruma,” artist and photographer Hanayo will present the performance “TAMAUSAGI” in collaboration with COSMIC WONDER.
Date:
Saturday, December 17, 2022, 2pm − 9pm
Performance at 7:15pm
*Villa Kujoyama 30th Anniversary Event
Free Admission
Venue:
Villa Kujoyama
17-22 Hinooka, Ebisudani-cho, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto
rinn to hitsuji
Inner Nature
We are pleased to present rinn to hitsuji’s “Inner Nature” exhibition.
rinn to hitsuji’s Rie Suzuki creates graceful rays of light that spring forth from the wicks of her beautiful candles.
Created by hand and with heart, the candles are made with beeswax and natural waxes extracted from soybeans and then blended with natural essential oils for fragrance. Humans are nature itself and the soul is the universe itself. We asked the participants to create candles that illuminate the soul so that we can gaze at this beautiful light that is also within.
On the first day of the exhibition, we will have pain d’epices by Daisuke Nakayama of Makibino who grinds wheat grains on a millstone, kneads the dough by hand, and bakes the bread in a wood-fired oven.
This traditional French pastry with preservative properties was spread by the Crusaders during their expeditions in ancient times. He used to carry pain d’epices in his bag from France during his pilgrimage to Spain. He started baking pain d’epices because of the many happy experiences he had communicating with people from all over the world who were going on pilgrimages even though they did not understand each other’s languages.
Please come and light a candle and enjoy some thinly sliced pain d’epices as we celebrate the arrival of the winter season.
We sincerely look forward to your visit.
Dates:
Saturday, December 3 – Sunday, December 25, 2022
Makibino’s pain d’epices will be on sale on Saturday, December 3, 2022.
Venue :
Center for COSMIC WONDER
5-18-10 Minami Aoyama, Tokyo
T. +81 (0)3 5774 6866
Open noon – 6pm
*Winter holidays: Monday, December 26 – Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Wind for Mind
Plants for the Mind, Body and Spirit
The flowers and grasses sway in the light and wind
The trees sing with the sounds of insects and birds
The waves sparkle and the sky rejoices
When we open our hearts
Plants will give us all the strength we need
We are pleased to present the exhibition “Wind for Mind: Plants for the Mind, Body and Spirit” at the Center for COSMIC WONDER.
“Wind for Mind” by Chinatsu Doi, is the blessing of the plants that connect us with nature. Awaji Island, where they are based, has the climate of the Seto Inland Sea with little rain and long days, which is ideal for growing herbs. The “Wind for Mind” field is located in a small mountainous area, surrounded by terraced rice paddies that have not been plowed for more than 10 years. There are no houses above the fields. The fields are ringed by trees that are the first to receive water from the mountains, and the plants are carefully nurtured through natural farming, listening carefully to the voices of the native plants. The gifts are created by the exchange between the plants and the ‘wind in our hearts’. When we intuitively receive these gifts, they provide us with the infinite power we need. Autumn herb salts with rosemary and fennel flowers, seasonal jams, organic ginger chai syrup, white sage bundles, rose geranium distilled water, and more.
We look forward to welcoming you all.
Exhibition period:
October 14 – 15, 2022
*Artist will be present on October 14 and 15.
Venue:
5-18-10 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T. +81 (0)3 5774 6866
Open noon – 6pm
Fragrance Workshop by Wind for Mind
Plants are distilled in a small copper distiller to extract their fragrance. Using calendula flower soaked oil as a base, essential oils will be blended to make roll-ons. Let your quiet mind feel the fragrance released from a single drop and the pure presence in the plants.
Friday, October 14
12:30pm – 2:00pm
Saturday, October 15
12:30pm – 2:00pm
Reservation required / Number of seats: 8
13,000 JPY
Autumn Equinox Craft Festival
We are pleased to present the “Autumnal Equinox Craft Festival” exhibition at Center for COSMIC WONDER.
Naoto Ishii’s Yorishiro-ware and Sumiko Ishii’s Okusozakuri tenba (pegasus), hand-woven old fabrics from Korea, and Andong hemp cloth, which are based in Tamba, Kyoto and express things that transcend dimensions and emerge. From Light & Will, a collection of baskets with a primitive Japanese appearance and a dialogue with their makers: Mountain cherry basket, Snack maple square basket and Japanese wing nut hand bag. rinn to hitsuji delivers a ray of beautifully lit light, Hexagonal lantern for viewing the moon made of soy wax. The Ryugu saiki ware by Shigeo Tanaka, who incorporates the beautiful fluctuation of the universe of the source and spirituality into his vessels.
These works which enhance your daily dimension, will resonate with your soul and enrich your time with richness and warmth.
We look forward to your visit.
Photo above：Sumiko Ishii “Tenba”
Photo below：Naoto Ishii “Yorishiro-ware”
Exhibition period:
September 17 – October 2
Venue:
5-18-10 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T. +81 (0)3 5774 6866
Open noon – 6pm
2023 S|S|A|W collection
COSMIC WONDER
North Village Light
SHOW
September 5th (Mon)
5pm JST
At Center for COSMIC WONDER
We will be live-streamed on Instagram.
COSMIC WONDER
“White Light dream” Show
Light dream begins with White.
Depicting your colors floating in the universe.
We are pleased to present 2022 collection of “Light dream” as white garments.
You can choose from a variety of white garments and dye them in beautiful colors that reflect the elegance of nature through handcrafting, such as plant dyeing, indigo dyeing, and mud dyeing.
We look forward to welcoming you.
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Show period:
June 25 – July 3
Venue:
5-18-10 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T. +81 (0)3 5774 6866
Open noon – 6pm
Takashi Ichikawa
Tools for an imaginary people in love with plants
Tools for an imaginary people in love with plants
Sitting on a berm of spring water
Sitting in front of a plant
In the sun, in the fire, in the light
of wildflowers of medicinal herbs of trees
Root, stem, branch, leaf, flower, seed
To touch
Made of
earth, iron, wood
In the heart
and the water that came out of the spring
With a flickering fire
Smell Meicha-yu
Takashi Ichikawa
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We are pleased to present Takashi Ichikawa’s exhibition, “Tools for an imaginary people in love with plants”, at the Center for COSMIC WONDER. Various tea wheels and tools for tea-making continue to evolve, transcending national and ethnic boundaries and fusing techniques. This exhibition, the sixth in a series, will present utensils for use in daily life in relation to fire, water, and plants, as well as vessels that have been refashioned through Ichikawa’s experiences with the environment that surrounds him.
Ichikawa’s work brings us into the intimate space and time of plants and tea. We are pleased to welcome Gendo Sawamura and Hina Sawamura, who are active in communicating the infinite power of wildflowers, for a workshop and tea ceremony featuring wildflowers.
The comforting time when you are in touch with nature, listening to the voices of plants, freeing your body and mind, enriching and coloring your daily life.
We look forward to your visit.
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Exhibition period:
May 13 – May 22, 2022
The artist will be present on May 13 and 14.
Venue:
5-18-10 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T. +81 (0)3 5774 6866
Open noon – 6pm
Opening Event:
1. Workshop “Sora tea”
The purpose of this event is to transform the wildflowers at our feet through light, water, and fire.
Enjoy the stories of wild grasses told with the tea tools of Takashi Ichikawa and sweets of yoin, including a demonstration of the process of picking grasses for making Sora tea (a wild herbal tea concoction).
Friday, May 13
noon – 2:30pm
Saturday, May 14
noon – 2:30pm
Reservation required / Number of seats: 6
13,000 JPY
2. Tea ceremony “Sora”
To free up the mind and body. To let the fragrance of the grass, the power of the earth, and the life of the field permeate the cells and spirit. Enjoy the stories of wild grasses, Sora tea (a wild herbal tea concoction), confectionery by yoin, and tea tools made by Takashi Ichikawa.
Friday, May 13
4pm – 5:30pm
Saturday, May 14
4pm – 5:30pm
Reservation required / Number of seats: 6
Fee: 11,000 JPY
If you wish to join, please register at the e-mail address below, indicating the name of the opening event you wish to join the date and time, your name, e-mail address, and phone number.
*All the seats are booked.
yasousora / Gendou Sawamura and Hina Sawamura
Learning from grasses about how people and grasses can thrive together.
Based in Fukuoka, Japan, they are active in communicating the life energy of wild grasses through wild teas.
yoin / Kang Wooja
From various directions such as plant foods, wild plants, and Korean culture, she expresses through her confectionery the preciousness of plants that connect all living things.
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Photo top: “Tea wheel table” 2022 / Iron, Wood
Photo bottom: “Plant Roaster” 2021 / Pottery, Iron, Wood
