Season 3 Of GEISAI University Is Now Set To Begin!

We have now officially finalized preparations for Season 3 of GEISAI University and are ready to announce our new lineup!

Yes, it’s now time for GEISAI University to convene one more and we’ve prepared a new slogan to go with our new season: “After a year of our special lectures, you too will possess the knowledge necessary to become an art world professional! “ (Of course, that also includes a certain amount of self-study on your part…). The series is continuing in style!

The official theme for Season 3 will be “In search of a Japanese definition of material value”. With three lectures in total, we’ll be covering Japanese art history and the modern Japan aesthetic in the context of ceramic art. After hearing these lectures, you may never look at contemporary art or collection in the same way again.

We hereby promise you knowledge that’s accessible, interesting, and easy to apply! What are the unique aesthetics of the ceramic arts? We hope you’ll take this opportunity to examine this question together.

The lectures are scheduled respectively for February 19, February 26, and March 5th.

【Introducing The Professors For Season 3】

・Friday, February 19
　Arata Yajima
　(Professor, Atomi University）

“The will to create vs. A Discerning Eye”
＜Antiques, The Art Of The Useless, And Zen＞



Born in Nagano in 1960, Mr. Yajima dropped out of graduate school at Tokyo University while studying for his doctorate. After working as a curator at the Shoto Museum of Art, he then took a position as a professor at Atomi University. His classes focus on the originality of Japanese art, particularly modern religious imagery. He is the author of the book Nihon Bijutsu no Hakkenshatachi ( Co –written with Nobuo Tsuji and Yuji Yamashita and published by the University of Tokyo Press in 2003), and Kinsei Shukkyobijutsu no Sekai ( Kokushokankokai Corporation, 2008). He also curated the exhibitions Kotou Tanjou and Soboku no Keifu for the Shibuya Rikutsushoto Bijutsukan. Kotou Tanjou, in particular, is now considered an epoch making exhibition - one that transformed the entire concept of antiques. And as the title of his lecture suggests, Mr. Yajima is now exploring the very thin line between art and the world which lies on the other side.

・Friday, February 19
　Takehiro Kumada X Osamu Saruyama X Osamu Sugimoto





・Takehiro Kumada
  (Owner of Azumaya)

Kumada is the owner of Azumaya, a shop which produces and imports high quality every day items from the west. Incidentally, he was also responsible for selecting many of Kaikai Kiki’s own furnishings and supplies.

・Osamu Saruyama
   (Designer)

Born in 1966, Saruyama is a designer based in Moto Azabu whose shop Saruyama specializes in second hand goods, including table wear. He is also a musician who has written and performed songs for movies, plays, and exhibitions. In 2001, he created music for the theater company ARICA.

The shop Saruyama is only a ten minute walk from the Kaikai Kiki Gallery and we’ve been more than happy to use a number of his stylish cups over the years.

・Osamu Sugimoto
   (Second Generation Master of the shop Daikichi)


Born in Kyoto in 1971, Sugimoto followed his time as an exchange student in the US by returning to Japan and becoming second generation masterof the Chuo-ward antique shop “Daikichi”. Unbound by distinctions between east and west, he specializes in providing antique items which can still find a place in modern life. He was also in charge of planning for a revelatory exhibition of American slipwear.

All three are old friends and all three are engaged in transforming people’s preconceptions about antiques. Now they will engage in a three man talk at the Kaikai Kiki Gallery, where Kumada and Saruyama will introduce new works which they have produced themselves or helped produce, while Sugimoto will focus on his own specialty - swap meets where extremely high (and low) end antiques are exchanged. In this way, the conversation will include a little bit of everything.


・Friday March 5
　Tomoo Shoken
　(Leader of Utsuwa Shoken)


Author of Utsuwa, Kono, Namonakimono

“The people’s vessels – the shape of the life in our hands”



Born in Hokkaido, Shoken is the president of Kamakura’s Utsuwa Shoken. In the past, she has held specifically themed pottery exhibitions around Japan on topics like “children’s vessels,” and containers for rice. In 2005, she published the book Utsuwa Biyori (Rutles) and afterwards continued writing, taking photos of nature, and creating books which combined the two. Other writings include Setsuro-san and Yasashii Yasai Yasashii Utsuwa (both written with Yosuke Ichikawa), the DVD Book Utsuwabito Teppei Ono (Rutles), and Hibi no Utsuwa (Kawade Shobo Shinsha). Lastly comes her most recent offering Utsuwa, Kono, Namonakimono (Ribun Shuppan). She has also contributed to several books as an editor, including Setsuro no Monotsukuri, Yumi Hayakawa Ruimaki Noto (Anonima Studio).

Utsuwa Shoken’s official homepage: http://utsuwa-shoken.com

The following works written and edited by Ms. Shoken ( Utsuwa Hiyori, Hibi no Utsuwa, and Utsuwa, Kono, Memonakimono) can be found on Amazon.com here.
Together, they form a trilogy which looks at everyday ceramics as art without actually granting them the untouchable status of standalone art work. Instead they operate as a kind of ceramic bible, showing us how to not only appreciate but continue using ceramic vessels.

Her lecture for GEISAI University will showcase the passion, poetry, and love that goes into this under-appreciated medium.

To obtain tickets to the lectures, please apply at info@geisai.net (Japanese language only).

We hope to see you there!