A curator, deeply influenced by Shiseido’s aesthetics, finds herself in constant dialogue with pieces that span genres—Nihonga, Western paintings, ceramics, and lacquerware. These works, rich in history, form the backbone of her vision. What does she hold onto in this delicate balance between past and future? And how does she carry these legacies forward into a new era?

Captions:

Koichi Tamura, Kobaimon Taiko (Large Jar with Red Plum Blossom Design), 1981
Koichi Tamura (1918–1987), a ceramic artist from Tochigi, mastered the “iron painting” technique, recognised as an Important Intangible Cultural Property. His process, which combines the earth’s raw warmth with iron-rich pigments, creates a striking harmony of texture and colour. This particular piece was featured at the 7th Exhibition of Contemporary Crafts at the Shiseido Gallery, offering a bold new perspective within the craft landscape.

Shosai Kitamura, Musubibumi Radenbako Tsubaki (Knotting Raden Box with Camellia), 2013

Created by Shosai Kitamura (1938–2023), a master lacquer artist from Nara, this piece features the brilliant raden (mother-of-pearl) technique. The camellia, an emblem of Shiseido’s beauty, shifts in colour as the light moves across it, producing a delicate, soft gradation that evokes a timeless elegance.

Man Ray, Permanent Attraction, 1948/1970

Surrealist Man Ray (1890–1976) worked across various mediums, from photography and painting to objects and film. His fascination with chess, a recurring theme in his art, is evident in Permanent Attraction. As its title suggests, the piece continues to draw in and mesmerise audiences across time.

Shiseido Art House
Opened in 1978 in Kakegawa, Shizuoka, the Shiseido Art House was designed by a young Yoshio Taniguchi and Shinsuke Takamiya, both of whom would go on to design iconic museums, including New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). The building’s distinctive S-shaped hall, extending from a rectangular exhibition space, sets it apart in its architectural elegance. In 1980, it was honoured with the Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ) Prize.
https://corp.shiseido.com/art-house/en/

Naoya Matsumoto
A photographer based in Tokyo and his hometown of Hamamatsu, Matsumoto specializes in portraits and fashion photography for fashion and culture magazines, catalogs, and CD covers. In addition to his commercial work, he has also created personal projects, including photo books such as about there and transform.
http://matsumotonaoya.com/

Naomi Shimizu
After starting her career as an editor for fashion magazines, Shimizu became an independent stylist in 2010. She has worked on styling for various fashion magazines, advertisements, and artists. With a keen aesthetic sense and a unique portrayal of femininity, she has garnered a loyal following. Recently, she expanded her horizons by serving as the costume designer for Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s film Chime.
https://www.instagram.com/smznmi/

Miyako Koda
Koda made her modeling debut on the cover of Shiseido’s Hanatsubaki magazine in 1980. Following her tenure as a featured model for anan (Magazine House), she has continued to thrive in advertising and editorial work. In 1985, she debuted as a vocalist and lyricist for the music unit dip in the pool, releasing records through the UK label ROUGH TRADE. She continues to produce albums and perform live, both domestically and internationally. Additionally, she is the publisher of a personal booklet titled Ellen, where she shares intimate anecdotes and reflections.
https://www.instagram.com/dipinthepool/

*This article is featured in “Hanatsubaki” No.832.
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