The Yokai Art Museum, which often works with local artists and community organizers in the ‘maze town’ of Shodoshima in Kagawa Prefecture, is currently holding the ‘Folklore Exhibition’ at the Naoki Onogawa Museum of Art. Six new works inspired by the Setouchi region are on display until December 26, 2021. 

Naoki Onogawa creates incredible sculptures made from tiny origami cranes that are folded one by one using only 1cm paper–and they’re made without tweezers! After experiencing the Tohoku Earthquake in 2011 when he was a student, he visited Rikuzentakata City in Iwate Prefecture a year after the disaster. Shocked and deeply impacted by what he saw, he began making origami cranes. The way he utilizes cranes is not as the traditional symbol of peace, but as solemn prayers to encase his feelings that have no other outlet. His works have a delicate and mysterious beauty that pulls in visitors and makes them think about the meaning of life itself. 

His new works, six of which were inspired by the Setouchi area, were on display at the Setouchi Municipal Museum of Art from March 9 to May 5, 2021.

My History with Paper Cranes | A Message from Naoki Onogawa

“Origami was my passion when I was a child. The origami crane is one of the most famous forms of traditional origami, and as I spent time making them, I started to feel that I could channel my emotions into them. It started to become a habit, then an obsession. I couldn’t stop. There was no endpoint or goal in mind, I just made them as often as I could. 

In 2011, the Tohoku Earthquake happened. In April of the following year, I visited Rikuzentakata City to listen to the community’s stories and to see the devastation firsthand. It was terrifying to see how helpless human beings are in the face of nature, but even still, I was struck by how strong human beings could be to persevere. No matter our age, race, gender, or status, we all face the major threats of nature, while also living in harmony with it. At that time, I was very aware that it was important to live in the moment. Beside a school building that had been totally destroyed by the tsunami, I saw a thousand paper cranes. 

It was akin to a solitary ritual. The paper cranes were used to express those feelings that had nowhere else to go and to pray for those who had been lost. I can’t really put it into words, but the cranes I make now might have come from those solemn prayers. This is the place for my cranes now. When I look at them now, I think that origami cranes are incredibly precious, and hide something mysterious within them. They are the ultimate beauty in my mind. 

Each of us has our own personal journey with these paper cranes. It’s up to each person to decide how he or she feels and how his or her thoughts are layered. I just hope that while looking at these works people will find their hearts moved.”

The Human Miracle Company launched ART BASE ZERO next in October 2021 to highlight up-and-coming artists. Inspired by 90s street culture in Tokyo, their new exhibition with CHRIS, whose works are made using a decollage technique, will open at Tokyo Hinode Pier from December 4 until December 26, 2021. 

Selected Items

CHRIS is a contemporary artist inspired by Tokyo street culture of the 90s. He uses the decollage technique, which utilizes cutting, tearing and removing pieces of an original image. At first glance, his style seems to be normal paintings, when in fact he uses pasting and forming printed materials to express them in new three-dimensional ways. To get this effect, he shapes them over and over again over a long period of time. In addition to participating in domestic and international art fairs and holding solo exhibitions, CHRIS has collaborated with fashion brands such as Columbia, GOD SELECTION XXX, GUESS, atmos, and more. 

Nagoya PARCO will host the Gundam World Contrast event from December 24, 2021 until January 16, 2022. The event will feature a deep-dive of Mobile Suit Gundam and Mobile Suit Gundam SEED from various perspectives and will show the contrasts between the two popular series. The event will then travel nationwide after finishing in Nagoya.

Plastic Model for Advanced Ticket Holders

Bonus: Gundam World Contrast Limited Design Special Promo Card

Story Wall

Special Photo Spot

Exhibition of Katsumi Kawaguchi’s Contrast Diorama

Conceptual Exhibitions

Limited-Edition Merchandise

Only at Gundam World Contrast

MG 1/100 RX-78-2 Gundam Ver 3.0 (Event Exclusive)

1/100 Aile Strike Gundam Ver.RM (Event Exclusive)

ENTRY GRADE 1/144 Strike Gundam (Event Presale)

Clear Folder (Set of 2, Gundam World Contrast Exclusive)

Pop Socket (Gundam World Contrast Exclusive)

Acrylic Stand (10 varieties, Gundam World Contrast Exclusive)

Choco Crunch (Gundam World Contrast Exclusive)

Mug (Gundam World Contrast Exclusive)

Visitors can enjoy the exhibition corner, which shows the history of both works including famous scenes and the emotional growth of the main characters. The merchandise corner will feature a number of goods only available at the event including Gunpla. Fans of the franchise shouldn’t miss this, as visitors will get a promo card to use for Bandai’s latest arcade card game Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base, scheduled to release in spring 2021.

©創通・サンライズ

To celebrate 25 years of the franchise, a special Sakura Wars event is coming to three major Japanese cities in December and January! The Sakura Wars Art Festival 2021 will feature original artwork and newly-drawn prints by Hidenori Matsubara, the character designer for the 2000 Sakura Wars anime series. Original goods and lithographs will also be on sale at each event. At the Tokyo venue, a special talk show will be held with the voice actors of the Sakura Wars series. Most exhibited works will be available for purchase. 

Sakura Wars 25th Anniversary Logo – Colored

Sakura Wars 25th Anniversary Logo – Black and White

Ai ga Kaoru Koro ni

Kimi yo Hana yo

Are you a Sakura Wars fan?

(C)SEGA　イラスト／松原秀典

The Godfather of Kawaii Sebastian Masuda will open his ‘Yes, Kawaii Is Art’ exhibition at the 1,300-year-old Kanda Myojin Shrine on December 4, 2021. A number of Masuda’s representative works will be on display at the historical site, known as one of the most important shrines during the Edo period. 

Colorful Rebellion -Seventh Nightmare-

Kanda Myojin Shrine

Colorful Rebellion -Seventh Nightmare- has been shown in New York, Milan, and Amsterdam over the past few years, and will now make an appearance as part of this exhibition. Given the magnificence of the venue, the work will be presented in a unique way–in the basement of the shrine. In addition, a part of the research on Kawaii culture conducted in collaboration with Kyoto University of Arts Ultra Factory will be on display as well. Guests will be invited to ponder the nature of Kawaii, and what makes it so beloved by audiences worldwide.

Colorful Rebellion -WORLD TIME CLOCK-

Time After Time Capsule Art Project

Kawaii Archival Research

Near the entrance to the shrine, the Colorful Rebellion -WORLD TIME CLOCK will be on display. Clad in the cutest colors imaginable, it has become a symbol of Harajuku around the world. The Hello Kitty-shaped time capsule, which was on display for five months in New York City in 2015, will also be shown on the temple grounds. The participatory art project has made it to 12 cities around the world so far. 

Kawaii culture will blend with traditional Japanese culture during this exhibition, so keep an eye out for more details coming soon!

What is ‘Yes, Kawaii Is Art?’ 

Sebastian Masuda has been at the helm of the global Kawaii movement for decades. 

 In 2020, Masuda asked a number of questions to fans of Japanese pop culture around the world–what is Kawaii? Why does Kawaii cross borders, generations, and gender? This new exhibition tries to find an answer to those questions while bringing some joy and excitement to the local community. 

Mirrorbowler will hold their first large-scale indoor solo exhibition at Shinsaibashi PARCO in Osaka from December 19, 2021, until February 13, 2022. 

Along with some truly massive pieces of artwork, the artists behind the creations will also hold workshops and release limited-edition goods at the venue to commemorate the event. Mirrorbowler is known for their expert use of light and reflection, and have participated in creating artwork for outdoor events, fashion shows, and CD jackets in the past. 

Past Works

Past Works

Beginner Origami Art (Star)

Intermediate Origami Art (Sphere)

Mockel

Space Plant

Original Merchandise

Mirrorbowler 2022 Calendar

Mirrorbowler Journey to the Stars Mirror

Mirror Ball Caricature Book

The theme for the exhibition is “to create something that does not exist anywhere, that has no proper name, that will never be the same twice, and that will never look the same to different people.” 

Mirrorbowler’s work features light and shadow as central themes, and guests are invited to look beyond what is in front of their eyes to find something deeper and more hidden. This imagery will be blended with sounds, scents, and hidden items just asking to be found.

While there is no set route to experience the exhibition, the creators hope visitors will wander back in forth to see things from different angles. Tickets are available to preorder now, so don’t miss this memorable event!

NAKED’S DANDELION PROJECT has popped up at seven different locations around Kyoto, including the famous Kiyomizu-dera and Heian Shrine. From December 3 until December 5, the participatory art project for peace will come to Kosho-ji Temple at nighttime. 

Kosho-ji Temple is famous for its autumn foliage and is designated as a place of scenic beauty by Kyoto prefecture. The gently sloping path from the front gate along the Uji River to the temple gate is called Kotozaka, because the flowing freshwater sounds like a Koto, the national instrument of Japan. The event will include a nighttime viewing of the temple along with lights around the grounds and gardens. The Uji Light Path will line the streets of the town with lanterns based on The Tale of Genji. 

NAKED’s popular attractions–the NAKED Distanced Lanterns and NAKED Flower Cleansing–will also be available to participate in during the event.

Starting in 2005 to add more color to Yokohama’s winter season, the ArtRink event held at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse combines artworks and ice skating for a bright and colorful way to spend a cold day. The 17th annual event will be held from December 4, 2021, until February 20, 2022, and will feature two artists: Moeno Ootsu and unpis, both taking part for the first time. The theme for this year’s art is ‘Stepping Out in Slippers.’ 

Moeno Ootsu

unpis

Message from the Artists

Hello. 

For this event, we’ve created an everyday space, ‘home,’ in a very not-everyday space: ArtRink in Yokohama.

Guests should come on an adventure that begins at the front door, then dance on ice through the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and more!

You might discover something new among the familiar furnishings and snippets of daily life.

We hope that once you leave ArtRink and return home, you’ll try to keep dancing from time to time.

Just have fun. Dance with us!

Whether you’re wearing skates, sneakers, or slippers…

Just take a step and have the best possible time this winter.

Kae Tanaka will hold a solo exhibition at Hotel Koe Tokyo in Shibuya from November 26 until December 10, 2021. The artist has recently collaborated with popular girls group Nogizaka46 and actress Rio Uchida, and is skyrocketing in popularity throughout Japan.

Collaboration Goods

Overalls

Overalls

Socks

Hoodies

Tote Bag

Kae-chan Soft Vinyl Figures in Limited-Edition Color (By Lottery)

Over the past year, Hotel Koe Tokyo has been supporting the solo exhibitions of up-and-coming artists. This ima no koe (The Voices of Today) initiative is helping to highlight local talent that may otherwise be overlooked. 

Kae Tanaka is a Tumblr-based illustrator who has garnered large amounts of attention across social media. Collaborative goods created in conjunction with the hotel will be available, all of which are unisex and created by the French brand Le Pigeon Voyageur. A special Kae-chan vinyl figure will be available by lottery. 

A huge exhibition featuring artwork and goods from Life of Hamster Sukeroku is coming to Nagoya PARCO from December 3 until December 20, 2021. The series is popular throughout Asia, and this exhibition is set to be the largest ever showing of related goods. 

Exhibition of Original Artwork

Reproduction of Sukeroku’s Room

Entrance Bonus: Art Card

Purchase Bonus: Sticker

Merchandise Available at Nagoya Venue

Candy Tin

Block Memo Pad

Cushion

This will be the first major Hamster Sukeroku exhibition held in Japan. The hilarious and relatable series is drawn by illustrator GOTTE, who has become incredibly popular across social media. Over 300 pieces of art will be on display, including pieces drawn exclusively for the event. Guests can visit Sukeroku’s room and can see videos of the artist at work. The venue’s store will be selling a number of adorable hamster goods, with a limited number of reproduction paintings on sale. 

Known for his work on the Final Fantasy series, Yoshitaka Amano is one of the most beloved artists in Japanese popular culture. From November 5 until November 30, an exhibition displaying many of his works is open at the Kikka Gallery in Omotesando, Tokyo. Online lottery sales of many Amano works shown in the exhibition began on November 20. 

While overseas fans know him best for Final Fantasy, Amano is also the creator of many iconic characters such as Gatchaman, Tekkaman, and Casshan. 

The PREMONITION OF HAPPINESS exhibition boasts 111 paintings and 3D works on display, all of which are one-of-a-kind. A number of colorful works drawn on traditional Japanese paper and bamboo plates are also attracting guests, based on his fine artwork CANDY GIRL, which he has been working on since 2015. 

The Metaverse has been in the news lately, and the future is looking more and more digital. ASOBISYSTEM, ParadeAll, and Fraction Ventures have teamed up to build Japan’s first pop-up museum focusing on generative art in MetaTokyo, an open cultural city in the open Metaverse using NFT. This will exhibit one of the largest NFT art projects in Japan, Generativemasks. 

Generative art refers to artworks that are generated by code, using computer software.

MetaTokyo Pass (MetaTokyo Digital Passport) 

Generativemasks

The architecture of MetaTokyo was created by MISOSHITA, a Metaverse/VR creator active not only in Japan but around the world. The interior and exterior were designed in collaboration with Generativemasks and other contributors to make a completely unique structure in the Metaverse. The NFT MetaTokyo Pass, functioning as a digital passport, is on sale now, allowing owners to access a number of activities and special privileges, including access to exclusive events and restricted areas within the MetaVerse. 

MetaTokyo is the world’s first project to connect NFTs with the MetaVerse and is the first project of its kind to be implemented globally.