#29-Tokyo202511 End
Dates: November 11 (Tue) - November 16 (Sun), 2025
Venue: Nine Gallery (Gaienmae)
This was my first solo exhibition in Tokyo since I stopped sending direct mail (DMs). Considering that DMs, despite my efforts to use quality paper and printing, would often arrive bent or wet, and that postage fees had suddenly increased, I stopped sending DMs from the previous solo exhibition in Kyoto (I am still devising a way to inform those who only learned about my exhibitions through DMs). I was honestly worried about how many customers would come after seeing my SNS posts, but my anxieties were completely dispelled once this Tokyo exhibition started, as I was blessed with many visitors. I plan to inform future exhibition details by having customers register their email addresses and sending them newsletters.
The theme of this exhibition was "MEMORY -Dormant Memories-." I created pieces based on the story of memories dwelling in things that have existed on Earth for a long time or that people have cherished. I shaped them into arrowheads, meteorites, fossils, and gems, expressing the memories dwelling within them as three-dimensional glass objects.
While cleaning my studio, I found many glass beads I had fired about 20-25 years ago. I polished them, reattached the fittings, and sold them at reasonable prices. Customers who knew me back then fondly picked up several. I always poured all my passion into my work in every era, so regardless of technique, these are very proud pieces.
This was my first solo exhibition in Tokyo since I stopped sending DMs. Although it was a great success, some of my regular customers were not there. Did they know about it but couldn't make it? Or did they not see SNS posts and were unaware of the exhibition because they didn't receive a DM? There's no way for me to know which it was. This remains a challenge for the future.
One successful outcome was the popularity of the reasonably priced (¥1000) earrings, rings, and brooches. I probably won't be making new ones, so this will end when the current stock runs out, but I need to think of something to replace it. Many customers also took home glass beads as commemorative gifts. I hope to continue this initiative for a while.
Next, my Kyoto solo exhibition will be from March 4th to March 9th. Since there's a gap until then, I plan to focus on my online store. The next Tokyo solo exhibition will be in June. See you then.