Zenbird Editorial TeamMinatomirai haishop “haishop social gallery”, dedicated to addressing social quandaries through art, opens its doors to an ambitious group exhibition, “Tsugu” from August 1 to 31.
This endeavor features the ingenuity of three groundbreaking creators from Gunma and Saitama. Each one is challenging the artistic status quo, seeking to globalize Japan’s rich tapestry of traditions through modern aesthetics.
Seiho Kurihara, not just a calligrapher but an innovator, is revamping the ancient art form by blending it with more recent artistic nuances. On the other hand, W@NDERFABRICR breathes new life into discarded traditional kimonos, upcycling them into trendy caps. Meanwhile, STONE and ONLY marries natural beauty and craftsmanship, spotlighting Japan’s signature stones in interior designs.
Their collective exhibit, aside from spotlighting their unique craft, underscores a shared ethos: broadcasting Japanese traditions to the world via contemporary creativity. Even their geographical ties weave them together—each creator either operates from Gunma’s Isesaki city or Saitama’s Honjo city, both separated merely by the gentle flow of the Tone River.
Noteworthy exhibits to anticipate include Kurihara’s screen-printed calligraphy on upcycled kimono canvases, W@NDERFABRICR’s Nishijinori bucket hat made from Kyoto’s iconic fabric, and STONE and ONLY’s evocative SHODO FLOWER VASE, a collaboration with Kurihara that represents an amalgamation of calligraphy and stone.
The “Tsugu” exhibition will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily at the haishop social gallery (Google Map).
[Website] haishop Homepage (Japanese)
