Kōgei Dining 2024 ―Kōgei ・Gastronomy・Buyō―

UCHIDA Tokugo

Executive Director of MOA Museum of Art

Born in Tokyo in 1952, Uchida is a graduate of Keio University, with a doctorate in Aesthetics. He specializes in Japanese art history. He is currently Executive Director of MOA Museum of Art and Hakone Museum of Art. Prior to this appointment he served in a range of academic positions including visiting professor at Kyushu University, part-time instructor at Ochanomizu University Graduate School, Keio University, Tokyo University of the Arts, Musashino Art University and Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts. He has also been a member of the Council for Cultural A airs of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and committee member for World Cultural Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage.

MIYATA Ryohei

Metal artist, Japan Art Academy affiliate, President of Nitten, and the 22nd Commissioner for the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan

Born in Niigata prefecture, Miyata completed his studies at the Graduate School of Tokyo University of the Arts. He regularly presents his work at the Japan Art Academy (Nitten) exhibitions, garnering him grand prizes and The Prime Minister’s Awards. He has also been awarded several times in the Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Exhibition. He uses dolphins as iconic figures of the sea—the roots of all lives—in his “Springen” series, with which he has participated in a number of domestic and international exhibitions.He served as the Commissioner at the Agency for Cultural Affairs between 2016 and 2021, where he was responsible for the governance of the country’s cultural administration. He was appointed as the President of Nitten in 2022.

MUROSE Kazumi

Urushi and maki-e artist, preserver of important intangible cultural properties in the category of maki-e

Born in Tokyo, Murose completed his studies at the Graduate School of Tokyo University of the Arts. He developed extensive expertise in maki-e and urushi art under masters Matsuda Gonroku and Taguchi Yoshikuni. His work is characterized by motifs taken from the natural domain, highly refined through design and dexterous execution of techniques. He has won numerous awards from many exhibitions, including the Tokyo Governor Award from the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition. Aside from his creative activities, Murose is also proactive domestically and internationally in the preservation of cultural heritage. He is an active advocate of the exquisite qualities of urushi and lacquer art.

IMAIZUMI Imaemon XIV

Ceramic artist, preserver of important intangible cultural properties in the category of overglazed enamel porcelain

Born in Saga prefecture, Imaizumi completed his studies at Musashino Art University. Having been trained under a prominent ceramist, Suzuki Osamu, he returned to his family practice led by his father, the Imaemon XIII. He leverages the household tradition of Iro-Nabeshima ware to create modern and refreshing porcelain by introducing innovative techniques, such as sumihajiki and platinum-foil overglaze. His numerous accolades include the awards from the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition in 1998 and 2004. In 2002, he succeeded the family kiln and became the 14th generation of Imaizumi Imaemon.

ŌSUMI Yukie

Metal artist, preserver of important intangible cultural properties in the category of metal forging

Ōsumi was born in Shizuoka prefecture and graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts. She underwent training in chasing under Katsura Morihito and Kashima Ikkoku while learning hammering techniques under Sekiya Shiro, developing her extensive metalwork skills. She won the Japan Kōgei Association President Award in 1987 for her hammered flower vessel “Wind and Waves,” which was the first of many more awards that followed. In 1988, she spent one year in the United Kingdom as a resident artist sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Her highly accomplished metalworking skills enable her to portray snapshots of nature, such as waves, currents, clouds and winds, in her lyrical designs.