Exhibitions
KAMI COSMIC WONDER with Kogei Punks Sha
We are pleased to announce that it will hold the exhibition “Kami” by COSMIC WONDER with Kogei Punks Sha at SHISEIDO GALLERY from Tuesday, August 29 to Sunday, October 22, 2017.
The theme of this current exhibition is “paper” (kami), a material very close to many people’s daily lives. Specifically, it explores the possibilities of hand-crafted Japanese paper (washi) made using only natural materials. To bring forth the deep appeal of such paper, Kogei Punks Sha has focused on “water,” a substance not only basic to life but also indispensable in making washi. They propose the concept of “omizue” (water ceremony), a ritual act inspired by the Japanese tea ceremony and involving the sprinkling of boiled water as an offering of gratitude for the blessings of nature. “Kami” is also a homonym with a Japanese word for “god” or “the divine,” and so the exhibition title carries this meaning as well.
This exhibition features items and craft works prepared for and inspired by the omizue ritual. These include the kamikoromo (paper garments) made by Cosmic Wonder to be worn by the ritual’s host and assistants, earthenware by Naoto Ishii, wooden implements by Masaru Kawai, and washi by Seigi Nishida and Makoto Sasaki. All these were made in the image of the Jomon era, one of the earliest sources of Japanese culture.
This exhibition reconstructs the exhibition “Omizue — Iwamino-Kamito-Mizu” originally shown last year at the Iwami Art Museum in Shimane prefecture, with the addition of new works created by Karatsu papermaker Takeharu Maeda. Taking cues from the very earliest papermaking techniques, Maeda used hemp fibers as the basic raw material, combined with fibers of hamagō (a fragrant beach plant also used as a medicine) to explore new possibilities in paper. Made from such natural materials and produced using ancient handcrafting techniques, such works take on an ancient feel that refines our five senses and calls to mind the peculiarly Japanese sensibility and deep wisdom of “looking at that which can’t be seen.”
Exhibition period:
August 29 – October 22, 2017
Place:
SHISEIDO GALLERY (Admission is Free)
Ginza Shiseido Building B1F, 8-8-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
Hours: 11:00 – 19:00 (11:00 – 18:00 Sundays and holidays)
Closed: Mondays
Organized by Shiseido Co., Ltd.
Opening reception: Concert of Akio Suzuki (Sound artist) on 29 August
During an exhibition: Talk show with Yukinori Maeda and Sumiko Ishii from Kogei Punks Sha
See the SHISEIDO GALLERY website at for details.
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COSMIC WONDER
Ryugu Koromo Genshi-no-Nuno
Photography by Takashi Homma
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-fu (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. We held Film Screening “Ryugu Koromo Genshi-no-Nuno” by Takashi Homma.
To mark the release of this new collection “Ryugu koromo from Genshi-no-Nuno”.
Collarless trench coat, Wool and linen koromo, Shetland wool and linen koromo, Pojagi apron and shawl, Organic cotton denim Monpe pants
People have made threads and materials out of various trees and grasses.
A wonder from ancient times and new spirit.
Light years.
Exhibition period:
August 11 – September 10, 2017
*Closed: August 14 – 16
Place:
5-18-10 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T. +81 (0)3 5774 6866
Open 11am – 7pm
Opening reception:
Friday, August 11, 2017 / 2pm – 5pm
Yukinori Maeda, contemporary artist and founder of COSMIC WONDER, will be attending at the reception.
Original sweet (Higashi) will be served during the reception. (Making from Kousagisha, Kyoto)
“Ryugu Koromo Genshi-no-Nuno”
Film screening: 5:30pm − 7pm (3min. 32sec)
Filming / Editing: Takashi Homma
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
Ryugu koromo pomegranate herbal dyed
Ramie Tsunobukuro pomegranate herbal dyed
Light through the branches
Cross ancient sunlight and beautiful light
Shoka koromo in the awakening day
I thought of celestial color
A new light
Exhibition period:
May 13 − May 21, 2017
Place:
5-18-10 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T. +81 (0)3 5774 6866
Open 11am – 7pm
Japanese handcrafted baskets
Japanese handicrafts made with natural raw materials are an embodiment of appreciation, awe and respect for nature.
They reflect the traditional Japanese satoyama lifestyle that people and nature coexist sustainably. (In a satoyama, people typically forms a community (=sato) with farmlands, on the border of a forest (=yama).
A forest is a resource for their living, being managed sustainably by sato residents.)
In such satoyama living, the art of livingware handcrafting has been passed along from generation to generation, producing practical and useful objects.
They provide insights into a lifestyle in harmony with nature.
For this exhibition, we sourced handcrafted baskets by visiting local craftspeople in various places from Tohoku region to KyushuIsland.
Each of their work is unique and representative of the regions where they are crafted.Their rustic beauty attracts us.
To commemorate the opening of the exhibition, Mr. Shinichi Nakagawara (the winner of the New Works Competition organised by The Japan Folk Crafts Museum in 2015) will give a demonstration of traditional Akebi vine basketwork on 15th and 16th April.
Exhibition period:
April 15 − April 30, 2017
*Closed on April 14
Place:
5-18-10 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T. +81 (0)3 5774 6866
*Closed period: April 14
Akebi vine basket, Akita Prefecture
Wild grapevine and Japanese wingnut tree basket, Akita Prefecture
Suzutake hand basket, Iwate Prefecture
Shinodake and moutain cherry tree basket, Miyagi Prefecture
*Composed of Shinodake bamboo, mountain cherry tree, Japanese wisteria vine and madake bamboo
Keyaki basket, Walnut tree basket, Niigata Prefecture
Madake fugo, Chiba Prefecture
Medake hanakago, Chiba Prefecture
Nemagaridake apple basket, Nagano Prefecture
Henon bamboo basket, Nagasaki Prefecture
Kudzufuji vine basket, Kagoshima Prefecture
Getto basket, Okinawa Prefecture
COSMIC WONDER
The 20th Anniversary Performance
Ryugu Koromo
from Genshi-fu
Okusozakkuri Haori
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the founding, we present the first performance of the new work “Ryugu Koromo” at the Center for COSMIC WONDER.
Date:
March 19, Sunday, 4pm − around 6pm
Place:
5-18-10 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
T. +81 (0)3 5774 6866
*Closed period: March 13 − 19
Number of seats:
30 (Free admission)
*advance reservation required
If you would like to attend the event, please send your name and telephone number to the following e-mail address by March 6, Monday. We handle inquiries in order of arrival. event@cosmicwonder.com
We look forward to meeting and welcoming you.
New collection
COSMIC WONDER
Ryugu Koromo
COSMIC WONDER “Ryugu Koromo” spring items will be available at Center for COSMIC WONDER on February 18, 2017.
To mark the release of this new collection, the reception will be held at the Center for COSMIC WONDER.
Original sweet will be served during the reception.
Yukinori Maeda, contemporary artist and founder of COSMIC WONDER, will be attending at the reception.
Date:
February 18, Saturday, 12pm − 16pm
Place:
5-18-10 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Open 11am − 7pm
Shigeo Tanaka
Exhibition period:
February 4 – February 12, 2017
*The artist will be attending on February 4.
Place:
5-18-10 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Open 11am – 7pm
T. +81 (0)3 5774 6866
*Temporay closed: February 3
Shigeo Tanaka
Born in Kyoto, he now lives and works in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture.
Living in a 280 years old traditional Japanese kominka, works are carefully created using anagama and downdraft kilns.
Hakuji nest of boxes, yo-hen deformed heiji pots, onggi
A poetry reading
A poetry reading
Mirei Hattori
Yukinori Maeda
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Date:
Saturday, December 3, 1pm
Place:
5-18-10 Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Fee:
1,500 yen (Hot drinks will be served during the event.)
Apply in e-mail. Send your name, telephone number to the following address.
event@cosmicwonder.com
Number of seats:
40
COSMIC WONDER
Light Years
COSMIC WONDER “Light Years” collection event will go on a tour to the following region.
[ Schedule ]
KAGURE, Marunouchi 10/7 − 16
STARDUST, Kyoto 10/15 – 18 *10/15: Public talk
SHINJUKU ISETAN MEN’S 2F Stage 10/19 − 25
ARCHIPELAGO, Sasayama 10/21 − 31 *10/22: Yukinori Maeda will be in attendance
POST IN TIME, Maebashi 11/3 − 4
PENNY RAIN, Kiryu 11/5 − 6
OU, Nagoya 11/17 − 23
MM BOOKS MINO 11/19 − 27 *11/19: Public talk
EIGHTY-EIGHT, Ayagawa 11/23 − 27
TAMPA
impression traveled across the continent to Japan
the eastern culture flowered and walked a new path in the island
a beautiful sunrise in the land of Tamba
TAMPA a visionary shop
Hakuden
COSMIC WONDER
Light and Will
Tamba cup, Tamba kodaibachi, tatara plate, Karamushi sumi-ink dyed zabuton, hinoki and igusa chair,
Organic cotton work wears, organic linen night dress, hand-spun cotton Tenugui, Washi Zabuton, Kudzu-fu wild-crafting bag,
Japanese wingnut tree basket, shinodake and mountain cherry tree basket, hachiku bamboo basket, nemagaridake bamboo basket, rock crystal.
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Exhibition period:
Sunday, October 9 − Sunday, November 13, 2016
11am − 7pm
*please make an appointment before visiting the gallery after 17 October
Opening reception:
Sunday, October 9, from 5pm
Furu-cha, Japanese sweet, koshu (aged sake) will be served
Place:
GALLERY M.A.P
Moriyama bldg. 2F, Heiwa, Minami-ku, Fukuoka 815-0071
T. +81-92-521-0083