Shiseido Art House will temporarily close from September 26th to the end of June 2017 due to facility renovations. As the final exhibitions before the closure, "Overglaze Porcelain by Three Living National Treasures" and "Komura Setsutai and Shiseido Typeface" will be held simultaneously from July 12th to September 25th.

"Overglaze Porcelain by Three Living National Treasures" showcases works by three artists recognized as Important Intangible Cultural Properties (Living National Treasures) for their iro-ejiki technique, which involves applying colored patterns to the surface of porcelain. The exhibition focuses on Imaizumi Imaemon XIII and Fujimoto Yoshimichi, who were members of the "Contemporary Crafts Exhibition" sponsored by Shiseido from 1975 to 1995, and Imaizumi Imaemon XIV, who is a member of the "Crafts for Us" exhibition, which Shiseido has been hosting since last year. The exhibition will feature approximately 35 works selected from the Shiseido Art House collection, including works by Imaizumi Imaemon XIII, who inherited and furthered the tradition of Iro-Nabeshima, a type of Nabeshima ware; Imaizumi Imaemon XIV, who continues the elegance of Iro-Nabeshima while developing a modern version; and Fujimoto Yoshimichi, who introduced the technique of mixing overglaze pigments and established a realistic style. This year marks the 400th anniversary of the birth of Arita ware, the first porcelain in Japan, in 1616, and this exhibition, held this year, will provide a rare opportunity to see masterpieces of modern-day overglaze porcelain. The concurrent exhibition, "Komura Setsutei and Shiseido Typeface," will showcase the works of Japanese painter Komura Setsutei, a founding designer of Shiseido's Design Department (now the Advertising and Design Department), which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. He made a significant contribution to shaping Shiseido's image, as well as various words, letters, and poems inspired by the work, displayed in Shiseido typefaces designed by contemporary designers in the Advertising and Design Department. Additionally, the venue will feature a selection of books designed by Setsutei, providing a glimpse into the creative world of Setsutei, who also left a remarkable legacy in the lettering designs that adorn books. The exhibition will also feature a dialogue between the 14th generation Imaizumi Imaemon and Isao Kumakura, Director of the MIHO Museum and Professor Emeritus at Shizuoka University of Art and Culture, titled "400 Years of Arita Ware and Imaemon." There will also be a gallery talk by curators and a children's workshop titled "Drawing Japanese Paintings and Fan Art." For details such as the schedule, please check the official Shiseido Art House website.
[Event Information]
"Iroe Porcelain by Three Living National Treasures"
(Simultaneous event: "Komura Setsudai and Shiseido Typeface")
Venue: Shiseido Art House
Address: 751-1 Shimomata, Kakegawa City, Shizuoka Prefecture
Dates: July 12th - September 25th
Time: 10:00 - 17:00 (last admission at 16:30)
Admission: Free
Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday)
Summer closed: August 15th - 18th