Knighted by society as Japan’s ‘Father of Kawaii’, Sebastian Masuda’s ultra-cute, ultra-colourful designs can be found all around us.
Some of Masuda’s best works include Sanrio Puroland’s ‘Miracle Gift Parade’, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s music videos for ‘PONPONPON’ and ‘Fashion Monster’, and the design, layout and concept of Harajuku’s former iconic landmark, KAWAII MONSTER CAFE.
With his works having had an explosive impact across the world during the recent pandemic, Masuda is holding a special exhibition entitled Yes, Kawaii is Art, where he explores the world of ‘Kawaii’, what it is and how it continues to influence people of all generations and backgrounds.
The exhibition first popped up at three venues located in Osaka, but now it’s heading to Tokyo and will be situated at the unlikely setting of Kanda Myojin Shrine.
Having been postponed on multiple occasions due to the infection rates of COVID-19, the exhibition is finally taking over the shrine grounds from the 4th to the 12th of December this year.
The venue, which is known as the ‘guardian of Edo’ boasts a history of 1300 years and is the home of the ‘Kanda Matsuri’, which is one of Japan’s top three major festivals. The historically important shrine was once a place of prayer for shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, but today it’s convenient location near Akihabara makes it a popular gathering place for tech geeks, anime fans and cosplayers.
The shrine’s popularity amongst some of Tokyo’s more unique fashionistas, makes Kanda Myojin the ideal location for Masuda’s ‘Yes, Kawaii is Art’ exhibition, and the event will hopefully solidify a colourful future for Kawaii culture.
Sebastian Masuda "Yes, Kawaii Is Art" at Kanda Myojin Shrine
Date: 4th December – 12th December 2021
Time: 12pm – 6pm
Venue: Kanda Myojin Shrine, 2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
In addition to the venue in Tokyo, you can also see the ‘Yes, Kawaii is Art’ exhibition at one of three locations situated in Osaka’s Kita Kagaya factory area. To top it all off, a special street fashion show from Masuda’s clothing line 6% DOKIDOKI will be held on the 14th of December.
Osaka Kita Kagaya Venues
– Kagoo
– Ota Building
– Chidori Bunka
It is free to visit the Chidori Bunka venue, but for the Kagoo and Ota building there is an exhibition fee of the following charges.
Single venue entrance fee: weekdays 500 yen, weekends and holidays 1000 yen
Double venue entrance fee: 1500 yen
The opening dates and times vary for each location, so stay up to date on when to visit by checking out the official exhibition webpage.
Knighted by society as Japan’s ‘Father of Kawaii’, Sebastian Masuda’s ultra-cute, ultra-colourful designs can be found all around us.
Some of Masuda’s best works include Sanrio Puroland’s ‘Miracle Gift Parade’, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s music videos for ‘PONPONPON’ and ‘Fashion Monster’, and the design, layout and concept of Harajuku’s former iconic landmark, KAWAII MONSTER CAFE.
With his works having had an explosive impact across the world during the recent pandemic, Masuda is holding a special exhibition entitled Yes, Kawaii is Art, where he explores the world of ‘Kawaii’, what it is and how it continues to influence people of all generations and backgrounds.
The exhibition first popped up at three venues located in Osaka, but now it’s heading to Tokyo and will be situated at the unlikely setting of Kanda Myojin Shrine.
Having been postponed on multiple occasions due to the infection rates of COVID-19, the exhibition is finally taking over the shrine grounds from the 4th to the 12th of December this year.
The venue, which is known as the ‘guardian of Edo’ boasts a history of 1300 years and is the home of the ‘Kanda Matsuri’, which is one of Japan’s top three major festivals. The historically important shrine was once a place of prayer for shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, but today it’s convenient location near Akihabara makes it a popular gathering place for tech geeks, anime fans and cosplayers.
The shrine’s popularity amongst some of Tokyo’s more unique fashionistas, makes Kanda Myojin the ideal location for Masuda’s ‘Yes, Kawaii is Art’ exhibition, and the event will hopefully solidify a colourful future for Kawaii culture.
Sebastian Masuda "Yes, Kawaii Is Art" at Kanda Myojin Shrine
Date: 4th December – 12th December 2021
Time: 12pm – 6pm
Venue: Kanda Myojin Shrine, 2-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
In addition to the venue in Tokyo, you can also see the ‘Yes, Kawaii is Art’ exhibition at one of three locations situated in Osaka’s Kita Kagaya factory area. To top it all off, a special street fashion show from Masuda’s clothing line 6% DOKIDOKI will be held on the 14th of December.
Osaka Kita Kagaya Venues
– Kagoo
– Ota Building
– Chidori Bunka
It is free to visit the Chidori Bunka venue, but for the Kagoo and Ota building there is an exhibition fee of the following charges.
Single venue entrance fee: weekdays 500 yen, weekends and holidays 1000 yen
Double venue entrance fee: 1500 yen
The opening dates and times vary for each location, so stay up to date on when to visit by checking out the official exhibition webpage.