June 20th (Sat) – July 19th (Sun), 2026, held at Ueno Geidai Art Plaza (Free admission)
Geidai Art Plaza ( https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/ ), a gallery operated on the campus of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Tokyo University of the Arts (Taito-ku, Ueno) as a collaborative project between Shogakukan and Tokyo University of the Arts, will be holding a special exhibition, THE ART OF TEA "The Art of Tea," from June 20th, 2026 (Saturday).
This exhibition, themed around the aesthetic sensibilities underlying the "tea ceremony," will showcase and sell works by 18 artists (planned) who are affiliated with or graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. Through an exhibition structure that blends two-dimensional and three-dimensional works, visitors can experience the relationship between space, artwork, and the viewer. Admission is free, and photography is permitted.
Held on Saturday, June 20, 2026
Special Exhibition: THE ART OF TEA "The Art of Tea"
The philosophy of the tea ceremony (chanoyu) undoubtedly flows through the foundations of Japanese art. It's not merely a set of manners or traditional culture, but a system of beauty that re-examines the meaning of the encounter between people and works of art. We believe that Japanese art is "The Art of Tea." So, what exactly is the philosophy of the tea ceremony?
Okakura Tenshin, the first principal of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, the predecessor of Tokyo University of the Arts, viewed the tea ceremony not merely as a hobby or ritual, but as a philosophy that connects art and life, in his book "The Book of Tea."
Firstly, the harmony between paintings and sculptures in the alcove.
Secondly, there's the perspective of enjoying the artwork not as an independent entity, but as something that resonates with the space around it.
Thirdly, the interaction between the artwork and the viewer.
Fourthly, there is the microcosm created by the craftsmanship exemplified by tea bowls.
In this exhibition, we envisioned the Tokyo University of the Arts Art Plaza as a single "tokonoma" (alcove) and arranged the exhibition with works by five artists featuring two-dimensional pieces and five artists featuring three-dimensional pieces.
In addition, the exhibition will feature works by artists who embody the techniques and philosophy of the tea ceremony, primarily focusing on tea bowls. These works embody a uniquely Japanese aesthetic: "Beauty lies in the details." A uniquely Japanese way of enjoying art—
Please come and experience the Art of Tea.
List of participating artists
Sho Aratani / Masashi Ishikawa / Haruna Oikawa / Mamiko Kakitsubo / Misao Kataoka / Yanoko Kawakami / Ryogo Shirota / Azusa Takahashi / Hiroyuki Nakatsugawa / Takashi Baba / Yuki Hamano / futaba / Akane Horita / San Honma / Ichiro Mori / Kaname Yagi / Shuhei Yoshida / Taisei Watanabe
***********************************
Exhibition announcement page
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/31064/
***********************************
■ Exhibition Overview
Exhibition Title: Special Exhibition THE ART OF TEA "The Art of Tea"
Venue: Geidai Art Plaza (12-8 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo, within the Tokyo University of the Arts Faculty of Fine Arts campus)
Dates: June 20th (Sat) – July 19th (Sun), 2026
*Pre-opening on June 19th (Fri) at 13:00
* No exhibit changes will be made.
Admission fee: Free
Opening hours: 10:00-18:00
Closed on Mondays
*Business hours may change. Please check our official website and social media for the latest information.
What is the Tokyo University of the Arts Art Plaza?
The Geidai Art Plaza is a gallery that exhibits and sells works by faculty, staff, students, and graduates of Tokyo University of the Arts (hereinafter referred to as Geidai), which has produced many top artists. Located on the Geidai Ueno campus, it is one of the few places where the general public can freely enter and visit throughout the year. It was launched in 2018 as a collaborative project between Shogakukan and Geidai.
Currently, the university holds exhibitions with different themes every one to two months. Each exhibition features 10 to 50 artists, bringing together works expressed through a diverse range of techniques and approaches unique to Tokyo University of the Arts, including oil painting, Japanese painting, sculpture, crafts, and design.
Exhibition view from the "Geidai Art Plaza Art Award Winners Exhibition 2026," a special exhibition held in January 2026.
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/29190/
The store features a permanent display corner called "LIFE WITH ART," focusing on art that complements everyday life, such as tableware and accessories. They also carry several "Drawing T-shirts" (commonly known as "Doro-T"), each one unique, featuring drawings directly created by artists from Tokyo University of the Arts. Admission to the Tokyo University of the Arts Art Plaza is free.
We generally welcome photography and sharing on social media. Our aim is to create a place where anyone, not just art fans, can easily experience art.
View of the permanent exhibition corner "LIFE WITH ART"
Drawing T-shirt exhibition view
In September 2024, they also opened their official online shop, "The Shop of Tableware and T-Shirts." In addition to one-of-a-kind tableware, cutlery, teapots, and bowls created by artists from Tokyo University of the Arts, they also sell a wide variety of original goods.
Official online shop "The Shop of Tableware and T-Shirts"
https://geidaiartplz.base.shop/
Basic Information about Tokyo University of the Arts Art Plaza
■ Access
Nearest stations: JR Ueno Station (Park Exit), Uguisudani Station (approximately 10-minute walk)
Get off at Nezu Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line and walk for about 10 minutes.
Get off at Ueno Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and walk for about 15 minutes.
Get off at Keisei Ueno Station on the Keisei Electric Railway and walk for about 15 minutes.
Take the Toei Bus Route 26 (Kameido to Ueno Park) and get off at Yanaka bus stop. It's about a 3-minute walk from there.
*Please note that there is no parking available, so please refrain from coming by car.
■ Official SNS Accounts
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/geidai_art_plaza
X:
https://x.com/artplaza_geidai
Podcast (Spotify):
https://open.spotify.com/show/2FlkumYv9ScWy69UlBtqWy
Threads:
https://www.threads.net/@geidai_art_plaza
■ Exhibitions in 2025-2026
Special exhibition from January to March 2025: "Geidai Art Plaza Art Award Winners Exhibition 2025"
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/26551/
March-May 2025 Special Exhibition “Welcome to the art zoo!”
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/27319/
May-July 2025: Special Exhibition "Chasing Windmills: Regards to Don Quixote"
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/27855/
August-October 2025: Special Exhibition "Geidai Art Plaza Art Award Winners Invitational Exhibition"
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/27804/
Special exhibition "time after time ~The Trajectory of Time~" in October-November 2025
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/28865/
Special exhibition "Made in Art" from December 2025 to January 2026
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/29525/
Special exhibition, January-March 2026: "Geidai Art Plaza Art Award Winners Exhibition"
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/30117/
*Article featuring the results and commentary of the Geidai Art Plaza Art Award 2026.
Special exhibition "Energy: What is Energy?" (March-May 2026) Sponsored by: Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/column/30991/
■ Inquiry
Frequently asked questions can be found here.
https://artplaza.geidai.ac.jp/qa/
[Shogakukan Inc.] Press Release
