It's the season for uchiwa, rounded paper fans. There's no air conditioner at Flew Gallery and these will come in handy. Come and join the uchiwa exhibition and create your own uchiwa. You can join in while the exhibition is going on, but reserve in advance to make things easier. Contact: info@flewgallery.jp

Location: Exhibition Room 3 Contact: Shogakukan Production Sales & Production Division 03-3515-6905

Mt. Fuji is a familiar icon, often seen as a subject of worship, which appears in various stories and as a motif in art. How was this collective image of Mt. Fuji developed over time? Since the old times, Mt. Fuji has been employed in painting, but especially since the late Edo period, artists began to embrace a more modernized view of the mountain, in addition to its traditional image. In the Meiji period, various crafts were exported overseas and many of them depicted Mt. Fuji as a symbol of Japan. From the Taisho to Showa period, the image of Mt. Fuji was used to represent the idea of national polity, frequently appearing on posters in the mass media. However, in the postwar era, Mt. Fuji began to portray an antithesis of tradition, a meaningless motif, undermining Japan's complicated history. Throughout different time periods, Mt. Fuji always appeared in various art forms. This exhibition presents various ways Mt. Fuji has been depicted in modern and contemporary contexts through paintings, crafts, and everyday items. Related Events -Opening Event: Mt. Fuji in the Bathhouse: Live Painting! Mt. Fuji is often painted on the walls of bathhouses in Japan. Live painting by Kiyoto Maruyama. Date: June 7th (Sat) 13:30 Location: Museum entrance, Gallery Echo (No reservation required, free) -Lecture "Art of Mt. Fuji" by Akira Hirabayashi, Sachiko Wada (museum curators) Date: June 29th (Sun) 14:30 Location: Lecture room (No reservation required, free) -Gallery Talk by Museum Curator Dates: June 8th (Sun) 14:30, July 12th (Sat) 14:00 Location: gallery (No reservation required, exhibition ticket required to enter) -Silver Art Lecture Date: July 12th (Sat) 13:00-13:30 Location: Lecture room (No reservation required, free) -Lecture for Junior High School Students Date: June 28th (Sat) 10:00-11:30 Reservation: June 11th - 18th -Come and Join! Art Adventure For 4th to 6th grade elementary school students Date: July 5th (Sat) 10:00-11:30 Reservation: June 18th - 25th -Art Lecture for Parents and Children For 1st to 3rd grade elementary school students and their parents Date: July 5th (Sat) 14:00-14:30 Reservation: June 18th - 25th [Image: Tiger Tateishi "Micro Fuji" (1984) Mori Art Museum]

Exhibition and sale of works by 40 artists from the Tohoku University of Art and Design.

Celebrating the grand opening of online gallery and select shop, Salone Aoyama, limited one-week real shop event will be held at Gallery Dojunkai.

Works by emerging artists are on display. vol.145 April 28th (Mon) - May 11th (Sun) Chisato Fujita (Ceramic) vol.146 March 13th (Tue) - March 25th (Sun) Iracu (Bag, small works) vol.147 March 26th (Mon) - June 8th (Sun) Tomomi Kawakami (Glass) vol.148 June 9th (Mon) - June 22nd (Sun) Salon de Pink (Bag) vol.149 June 23rd (Mon) - July 6th (Sun) Miki Inoue (Glass) vol.150 July 7th (Mon) - July 21st (Sun) Kazumi Yoshimura (Ceramic)

Painting, metalwork, glass... Work in various media by four artists in an exhibition where the X's are for you to fill in yourself!

The Universtiy Art Museum will present the "Geidai Collection" exhibition in order to introduce the art collection of the Tokyo University of the Arts. The collection, whose formation began with the establishment of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts 120 years ago, contains such diverse works as antique arts, modern Japanese-style paintings, Western-style paintings, prints, sculptures and crafts, as well as works by the University's former teachers and students, consisting of over 29,000 items in total, including 22 that have been designated important cultural properties. The spring-season Geidai Collection Exhibition held from April is a regular showcase of some of the major works from this collection. In the past academic year, the Museum organized special exhibitions of "Western-style Japanese painters, Paris" and "Okakura Tenshin: The Course of Art Education" to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the founding of the University. This was a prominent showcase of a number of major works from the collection and a reaffirmation of its historical importance. There are many works in the collection, however, which have been recognized as major pieces but have rarely had opportunities to be exhibited. In light of this, this season's Geidai Collection Exhibition has chosen to exhibit works that have not yet been exhibited in recent years, showing them alongside other major works of antique arts, modern Japanese-style painting, Western-style painting, sculpture, craft and design. In particular, antique arts, modern Japanese-style paintings and drawings are exhibited over three separate periods so that visitors to the exhibition can see as many works as possible. In addition, this Geidai Collection Exhibition has two special sections: 1. "Tokyo School of Fine Arts and Bauhaus" As a related project to "the BAUHAUS Experience, Dessau", an ongoing exhibition that is being held at the Museum almost concurrently (April 26th-July 21st), this section showcases a selection of graduation works from the Zuan ("Design") Department of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (today, the Department of Design and Department of Architecture) from the Taisho and early Showa periods that reveals the influence of Bauhaus on the School. 2. "Kazuo Kikuchi and His Legacy" 2008 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Kazuo Kikuchi (1908-1985), a former professor of sculpture at the University. This section focuses on works by Kikuchi and some of the other sculptors related to him drawn from the Museum's collection. *Exhibited works will be changed throughout the exhibition period, with the following 3 sessions: The 1st period: April 10th (Thu) - May 11th (Sun) The 2nd period: May 13th (Tue) - June 15th (Sun) The 3rd period: June 17th (Tue) - July 21st (Mon/National Holiday)

Tokusen Gallery -Minori Yoshita ceramics exhibition -Mitsuo Masuda and 24 craftsmen exhibition (goldsmithery) -Wood sculptures Bijutsu Salon -19th century European woodblock prints exhibition Art Square -Hideaki Suzuki exhibition Craft Salon -Satsuma-yaki ceramics exhibition

Glass artist Akira Watanabe has a studio in an artist village located on top of a 430-meter mountain in Rakusai, Kyoto. Various artists hold their studios there, engaging in their artistic activities in such a creative environment surrounded by nature. Watanabe has a unique career as a craft artist. He first studied philosophy at a university, where he was introduced to the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements, captured by the beauty of glass art. He worked for a glass-related company, while studying cutting techniques. Then he became an independent glass artist 10 years ago. This is Watanabe's first solo exhibition at Wako Hall showcasing a total of 80 glass plates, bowls, vessels, and glasses. He mainly incorporates glass-sheet layering technique creating a group of glittering-star-like glassware. [Image: "Seiyu" 29.5 x 31.5 x 4.5cm]

Paper-made cobweb-like laces will envelope exhibition space. Party: July 21st (Mon/ National Holiday) 18:00

-Japan Contemporary Craft Art Exhibition Dates: July 9th (Wed)-July 24th (Thur) Location: Exhibition Rooms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Contact: Kanagawa Prefectural Hall Operation Division 045-633-3687

The artist will be at the venue on July 17th, 18th and 26th.

Japanese swords have been handed down not only as practical weapon and artwork but also as object of sacred belief and as treasure that speaks of the lives of feudal warlords. The fact that iron-made Japanese swords, which could rust easily, have kept their luster for several hundreds of years proves how the owners of these swords saw spirituality within them and treasured them from one generation to another. One of main attractions of swords is such a loyalty and tradition associated with their owners. This exhibition showcases celebrated swords of Seikado with the introduction of anecdotes about them. In addition to exquisite swords from notable family collections, ones made by in-house swordsmiths of feudal lord families will also be on display.

The Sakura City Museum of Art has been doing research on artists based in the Sakura and Boso areas. Last year, the museum received a new donation of 18 paintings by Tadanori Shibamiya (1938-2007) . Shibamiya's fantastical works mostly consist of combinations of red, blue and yellow, or green, orange and purple. Aside from artmaking, Shibamiya also taught painting in Sakura, nurturing creative energies in the city. This exhibition showcases Shibamiya's works, as well as those of other modern painters and craftsmen such as Naonosuke Aratani, Hotsuma Katori, and Nobuo Tsuda, who were all based in and around Sakura City. A total of 40 works are on dipslay. [Image: Tadanori Shibamiya "Autumn Colors (Light and Shade)" (1988)]

During this month-long summer program, a new generation of artists' works in various media will 'cross' the urban environment and the lives contained within it. -Program 1 "Artists' Crossing Presentation at Pepper's Gallery" Dates: June 30th (Mon)-July 12th (Sat) Artists: Kanako Otani, Masayuki Watanabe, Aya Shiraishi, Takashi Hokoi, Shogo Suzuki, Ayano Nagato, Saki Kaneko, Shogo Nakagawa, Mikiko Shimatani -Program 2 "Artists' Crossing at NOS Aoyama" Dates: July 21st (Mon)-August 2nd (Sat) Artists: Kanako Otani, Masayuki Watanabe, Aya Shiraishi, Takashi Hokoi, Ayano Nagato, Saki Kaneko, Shogo Nakagawa -Program 3 "Artists' Crossing at Other City Spaces Selected by the Artists" Dates: June 30th (Mon)-August 2nd (Sat) Artists: Kanako Otani, Takashi Hokoi, Ayano Nagato, Aya Shiraishi, Masayuki Watanabe, Shogo Suzuki, Shogo Nakagawa [Image: Aya Shiraishi]

After graduating from Musashino Art University Crafts & Industrial Design Department in 1971, Okinari Kurokawa (1946-) first worked at the Iwakura Precision Casting Institute and then studied abroad at Pforzheim University of Design in West Germany, concentrating on jewelry production. While Kurokawa initially majored in industrial design, he cultivated his interest toward accessories in the process of switching his direction to craft making, in which he could engage himself fully as well as reflect his own thoughts and ideas directly. In Germany, he not only acquired traditional jewelry manufacturing method but also gained on-the-spot experience of contemporary jewelry making, which decided his later career as a leading contemporary jewelry designer in Japan. Now based in Kofu, Kurokawa teaches at a school to foster young jewelry artists, while also working on his own projects. Kurokawa understands jewelry as "sculpture to be worn", always exploring forms of his work from two different angles: if the form stands on its own; and how it looks when involved with human body. Additionally, with his exceptionally profound knowledge in metal materials, Kurokawa keeps cultivating his originality by skillfully combining traditional and innovative techniques. On view in this exhibition entitled "Ring Ring Ring" are over 50 rings. Rings are the items Kurokawa has put the best focus on, and thus his world is epitomized in them. Many of them have structures and textures not attainable by casting, widening possibilities of the genre. Rings with various modes, such as one with Japanese-paper-like soft texture and sculpture-like one built with the combination of geometric shapes, will be on display. Reception Party: July 18th (Fri) 18:00-20:30

Shiga Prefecture is known even within Japan as a beautiful region of lakes and many festivals. The "Okonai" rite that is performed at the beginning of the year to ensure safety in the villages and a bountiful harvest of five grains is one of the strongest rituals linking villagers to certain deities in Japanese religious belief, one of many that have been passed down and transmitted in this prefecture. The central practice in the Okonai ritual is the offering of meals and devotional tributes to the gods, accompanied by decorative flower arrangements and temple solicitation ropes. Okonai plays an important role as a communication tool between the villagers and deities, but this one ritual takes on myriad variations and faces depending on the area. This exhibition showcases the rich variety and singularity of this one ritual, including the accompanying ornaments, tools and accessories.

"Koedalien" is a remix of "Koeda chan", a classic Japanese character since 1977. After many years of success, "Koeda chan" ended her long career in 1993. However, in 2004, after great anticipation, the Koeda chan character was revived! Her sweetness has captured not only the original fans but also new generations as well. "Koedalien" is the new "Koeda chan " for adults to remind them of their childhood. The character design is by Noriya Takeyama who is also known for creating "Pooly's" . The Junie Moon limited 3 color set "Koedalien" will be available soon!

-Open Studio "Kinetic Art and Craft" July 19th - August 31st 3F Zokei Studio This workshop introduces how things move and how they work. Let's make a moving object! -Jungle Camera July 19th - August 8th 10F Computer Room What kinds of animals live in jungles? Using computer, make your own dream jungle with various animals and trees! -Magic Picture August 9th - 31st 10F Computer Room Let's play with computer graphic techniques to create magical pictures! -Mysterious Video Experimentation Lab August 12th - 20th, 22nd - 31st 4F A Studio An exhibition of toys which explain the function of motion pictures and an animation workshop using two illustrations. 11:00-17:00 -Eco Art Exhibition July 19th - August 31st 1F Gallery Artist Hiroshi Fuji and package craft artist Kazuma Takahashi's exhibition of recycle art and workshop. (July 19th - August 3rd "Making Flowers", August 4th - 31st "Making Clothes") More information on these events and other programs can be found on their website.

Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art changes their permanent collection display four times a year. The current exhibition in the South Building presents paintings, prints and glass works by Hideo Hagiwara, who passed away last fall. This is a retrospective exhibition of this artist presenting around 40 masterpieces. Prints, antiques, and craft works that Hagiwara collected over the years are also on display.

Crafts involve various decorative techniques. Patterns seen in crafts were refined over a long history. Different meanings are embedded in each kind, carrying messages that stimulate our imagination. Although the decorative aspect used to be an indispensable element of crafts, simplistic and inorganic design became employed in modern crafts, as if denying the significance of the decorative aspect in craft tradition. However, in recent years, on the contrary to such modern design, artists creating overtly decorative crafts began to appear, infatuated by the act of ornamentation. Such a trend can be compared to deco-den, cellphones obsessively decorated with rhinestone stickers. This year's Crafts Gallery for Kids focuses on decorative patterns on craft pieces. The program examines decorative elements of about 100 excellent pieces from the collection including ceramics, lacquer ware, textiles and metalworks in an attempt to delve into the appeal of crafts. Workshops for kids will also be given by craftspeople during the period. Details for 2008 Summer Craft Gallery for Kids can be found . (In Japanese only) [Image: Kozan Miyakawa "Hatooukazu-takaukibori-kabin" (1871-82)]

Over 300 treasures derived from Horyuji Temple are stored and displayed here.

The First floor of the Heiseikan is dedicated to the display of archaeological finds from Japan.

Our permanent exhibition, held on the first floor, features the work of metal-cast artists Hotsuma Katori and Shinobu Tsuda. Both being born in the same period, in the Hokuso area of Chiba Prefecture, the two were opposites in artistic viewpoints; Katori emphasized tradition while Tsuda called for revolution. Works on display will be rotated every three months.

The Hakone Open-Air Museum’s Picasso Collection consists of a substantial number of Picasso’s ceramic creations, purchased from his eldest daughter Maya Picasso, as well as his paintings, prints, sculptures, gold objets d’art. They are permanently exhibited to the public. The photographs of David Douglas Duncan, who documented the artist’s last 17years, also play a vital role in this collection.

This is a small but permanent program of the Crafts Gallery to present works of Bearers of Important Intangible Cultural Assets (living national treasures) and other leading artists and designers at home and abroad. Masterpieces to be shown include ceramics, glassworks, lacquerware, wood and bamboo works, textiles, dolls, metal works and designs.