Shinichiro Ogata, president and creative director of HIGASHIYA, a Japanese confectionery shop in Ginza, Tokyo, which offers daily fruit offerings through the changing seasons, released his first concept book, "HIGASHIYA," today (June 20th). A commemorative exhibition, "HIGASHIYA," will also kick off at the Pola Museum Annex in Ginza, Tokyo, on the same day. The book explores the spirit of Japanese confectionery, a centuries-old Japanese tradition, and explores various aspects of it, including "making sweets," "wrapping," "serving tea," "receiving customers," "relaxing," and "gathering." The book explores Shinichiro Ogata's journey, and the philosophy and aesthetic sense that permeate it, through photographs and words. This exhibition will feature excerpts from his philosophy, as discussed in the book, and will display his words and the various elements that shape his thoughts. The space, where sweets, packaging, tableware, and tea ceremony utensils that embody Ogata's philosophy are neatly lined up, offers a glimpse into the current significance of HIGASHIYA, which has played a key role in reaffirming Japan's identity since its founding in 2003.

Ogata, who visited the venue the day before the exhibition, said, "I started HIGASHIYA because I wanted even a small number of people to empathize with the way of thinking, philosophy, and sensibilities that lie behind my background. I call these people my 'comrades,' and I hope that through books and exhibitions, I can increase the number of such people even by just one. HIGASHIYA is a place, a space, and a community where these commemorative 'comrades' can gather, and I hope to continue to connect them in the future."

【Event Information】
Special Exhibition "HIGASHIYA"
Venue: Pola Museum Annex
Address: 3rd Floor, Pola Ginza Building, 1-7-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Dates: June 20th - 28th
Time: 11:00 - 20:00 (last admission at 19:30)
Free admission