Works Appear in New Settings: "CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto" to be Held November 6 (Fri) - 8 (Sun), 2026, in Historic Kyoto Temples and Gardens in Nishijin

Photo: Misaki Yanagihara

The CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto Executive Committee will hold "CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto" in the Nishijin area of Kyoto for three days from November 6 (Fri) to 8 (Sun), 2026. (November 5 (Thu) will be an invitation-only preview for press and select guests).

This year, the venue has been expanded to three temples: "Daihonzan Myoken-ji," "Honzan Honpo-ji," and "Honzan Myokaku-ji." Set in Nishijin, where the spirits of tea ceremony, prayer, and art have been passed down, carefully selected works spanning ancient, craft, modern, and contemporary art will be gathered.

Furthermore, starting this year, the CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto Executive Committee will transition to a new collaborative structure, welcoming The Nikkei Inc. in addition to Universal Advertising Network Inc. and the City of Kyoto. Through collaboration between government, media, and the private sector, we will promote a rich viewing experience encountered within historic cultural assets to both domestic and international audiences.

Encountering Artworks, Architecture as Environment

Photo: Misaki Yanagihara Photo: Misaki Yanagihara

At "CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto," held in Kyoto temples, galleries dealing in ancient art, crafts, modern art, and contemporary art will gather to present works selected from their respective perspectives.

Last year, in its inaugural event, we provided a space for deep reflection on the history and value of Japanese art, focusing on crafts and modern Western paintings. This year, we shift our focus to the relationship between the artworks and the environments in which they are placed.

Many art fairs offer uniform exhibition spaces. This time, we will temporarily set aside that premise and design the fair to be enjoyed in conversation with the temples. The venues, Myoken-ji, Honpo-ji, and Myokaku-ji, are not mere backdrops. They are temples that have accumulated time, gardens that change their appearance moment by moment, and the exhibition spaces that appear within them. The artworks and gallerists, each with their own distinct contexts and values, will coalesce to create a single "environment" that envelops the visitors.

The artworks, placed within such an environment of solemn structures, atmospheric gardens, gently flowing time, and a sense of history, will surely reveal a different charm than before. We hope this art fair will be a rich experience for visitors and a place for unexpected encounters with art.

Exhibition view of CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto 2025 Photo: Misaki Yanagihara

Exhibition view of CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto 2025 Photo: Misaki Yanagihara Exhibition view of CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto 2025 Photo: Misaki Yanagihara

Exhibition view of CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto 2025 Photo: Misaki Yanagihara

Exhibition view of CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto 2025 Photo: Misaki Yanagihara

Special Program to Re-experience the "Corporeality" Embodied in Japanese Lifestyle Culture

In past Japan, appreciating gardens, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and the crafts that adorned daily life were not merely static objects to be "seen," but "bodily experiences" intrinsically linked to life and the rhythms of nature. In today's world, flooded with digital information and driven by efficiency, this fair will present a special program designed to create "bodily experiences" where participants can deeply engage with culture by physically immersing themselves in historical spaces and utilizing all five senses.

Special Tea Ceremony with a View of the National Scenic Garden "Tomo no Niwa"

Scene from the tea ceremony at Honzan Honpo-ji's Tomo no Niwa and Shosei-en during CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto 2025 Photo: Misaki Yanagihara

"Tomo no Niwa" at Honzan Honpo-ji, designed by Koetsu Hon'ami. In a special space overlooking this nationally designated scenic garden, we will offer a tea ceremony featuring a collaboration between Urasenke and contemporary craft artists.

The vessels used in the tea ceremony will be a collection of works by emerging contemporary craft artists participating in the exhibition "Kō + Gei" Kyoto 2026, held concurrently at the adjacent Daihonzan Myoken-ji (participating artists to be announced). While gazing at the famous garden, layered with nature and history, guests can hold and experience vessels infused with contemporary sensibility while savoring a bowl of tea. This program offers a unique experience, beautifully blending tradition and contemporary craft, exclusive to this fair.

Special "Flower Gathering" Event in the "Takagamine Area," Associated with Koetsu Hon'ami

Flower artist Kentaro Sugi Photo: Haruhi Okuyama Tea house "Gyokuan" nestled in the Japanese garden of Shozan Resort Kyoto Photo: Haruhi Okuyama

Moving beyond the Nishijin area, following Koetsu Hon'ami, the artistic village of Takagamine, built by Koetsu in 1615, will serve as the second stage for our special program.

At "ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts" and "Shozan Resort Kyoto," a "Flower Gathering" performance by flower artist Kentaro Sugi will be held. Starting from ROKU KYOTO, which harmonizes with serene nature, the flower gathering will unfold along the path by the Kamiya River flowing through the grounds of "Shozan Resort Kyoto," and in the normally private tea house "Gyokuan" nestled in the Japanese garden. This will be a precious opportunity to witness the convergence of classical and contemporary.

Furthermore, at the normally private Shozan Guest House "Hogyokutei," we will host "Hana wo Nozomu" (Flowers Requested) by Kentaro Sugi. Participants will select a single branch of seasonal flowers that resonates with them and arrange it while contemplating that flower. Mr. Sugi will guide each participant, fostering a dialogue with the flower and interpretation, allowing their individual sensibilities and emotions to be expressed through the chosen bloom, creating a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Diverse Programs Exploring the Gardens of the National Scenic Site "Shosei-en"

Scene from the Japanese boat tour at CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto 2025 Photo: Misaki Yanagihara Scene from the garden tour at CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto 2025 Photo: Misaki Yanagihara

Shosei-en (Kikokutei), whose origins were established in the early Edo period as an outlying precinct of Higashi Honganji Temple of the Otani sect of Shin Buddhism. Its varied landscape, known as the "Thirteen Views," is a place that has found Japanese value in the very act of "welcoming guests" and where culture was fostered through tea ceremonies and poetry gatherings. Located near Kyoto Station, Shosei-en offers a variety of programs, including a Japanese boat tour to experience Edo-period hospitality and a garden tour guided from a gardener's perspective. We invite you to step away from the hustle and bustle of the fair venue and enjoy this special time.

From Online to Offline: Introducing a New Viewing Model Integrating Information and Reality

Kyoto's temples and gardens have been passed down for centuries as crystallizations of closely intertwined faith, art, and everyday "life." Perhaps our understanding of such intangible and tangible cultural assets is connected in some way to our understanding of contemporary artworks. Therefore, starting this year, we are offering new programs that enrich traditional viewing by enhancing our online content. We aim to facilitate deeper appreciation for visitors with a lineup designed to experience the multifaceted appeal of this art fair, including explanations of artworks, lectures on Kyoto culture, and art historical talks. We will construct a hybrid viewing model that links online input, satisfying intellectual curiosity, with offline output, a physical experience. We will continue this new initiative, designing the art fair not as a one-off event, but as a long-term "cultural narrative."

Collaboration with "Kyoto Art Month" to Energize Kyoto's Autumn Art Scene

The Kyoto Prefecture and the City of Kyoto are collaborating on "Kyoto Art Month," an initiative that promotes art events held throughout Kyoto City from October to November. This will be linked with events such as the international art fair "Art Collaboration Kyoto" (scheduled for November 7 (Sat) - 9 (Mon), 2026), which has the concept of "collaboration." Through various promotional activities, we aim to enhance visitor flow and provide opportunities for both domestic and international visitors to enjoy a variety of art experiences in Kyoto during the autumn.

What is "CURATION⇄FAIR"?

CURATION⇄FAIR is an initiative that promotes the exchange between the academic field of art and the market, aiming to foster long-term value standards. "CURATION⇄FAIR Tokyo" was first held in spring 2024 at kudan house in Tokyo. Since then, it has been held annually at the same venue, and in autumn 2025, "CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto" was held in Kyoto. The second edition in Kyoto will be held in November 2026.

CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto Event Outline

Dates: November 6 (Fri) - 8 (Sun), 2026, 11:00-18:00 (until 17:00 on the 8th) *A preview for press and related parties will be held on November 5 (Thu).

Venues:

Daihonzan Myoken-ji (514 Myokenji-mae-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 602-0005)

Honzan Honpo-ji (617 Honpoji-mae-cho, Ogawa-dori Teranouchi-agaru, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 602-0061) Honzan Myokaku-ji (135 Shimokuraguchi-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 602-0007)

Special Program Venues:

Shozan Resort Kyoto (47 Kinyoshi-cho, Kinugasa, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 603-8451)

ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts (44-1 Kinyoshi-cho, Kinugasa, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 603-8451)

Shosei-en (Kikokutei) (Higashi Tamamizu-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 600-8190)

Ticket Sales: Scheduled to go on sale in late August

Organizers: CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto Executive Committee (Universal Advertising Network Inc. / The Nikkei Inc. / City of Kyoto)

Cooperation: Shozan Resort Kyoto / Ueyakato Landscape Co., Ltd.

Official Hotel Partner: ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts

Media Partners: ARToVILLA / Geijutsu Shincho

WEB: https://curation-fair.com/kyoto2026

Support for this Project: Arts Aid KYOTO

"CURATION⇄FAIR Kyoto" is a certified project of "Arts Aid KYOTO," a cultural and artistic support system established by the City of Kyoto in 2021. This project is widely seeking companies and organizations that can agree to cultural sponsorship utilizing the Corporate Hometown Tax Donation system. 70% of donations will be directly allocated to the operation of this fair, and 30% will be set aside as a cultural fund for the entire Kyoto region, aimed at supporting young artists and children's traditional culture education. By applying the Corporate Hometown Tax Donation system, up to approximately 90% of the donation amount may be eligible for tax deductions (for companies headquartered outside Kyoto City). We invite you to participate in this initiative to connect culture to the future. Please check the website below for details regarding donations.

Arts Aid KYOTO Website: https://kyoto-art-donation.com/self/project/aak2026_curationfairkyoto.html

Concurrent Exhibition: "Kō + Gei" Kyoto 2026 A craft exhibition by contemporary artists presenting new value and possibilities of crafts to Japan and the world

Exhibition view of "Kō + Gei" 2026 at Tokyo Bijutsu Club Photo: Misaki Yanagihara Exhibition view of "Kō + Gei" Kyoto 2025 at Shosei-en Photo: Misaki Yanagihara

"Kō + Gei" 2026, held at the Tokyo Bijutsu Club in May 2026, will be presented as "Kō + Gei" Kyoto 2026 with new additions, from November 6 (Fri) to 8 (Sun), 2026 (November 5 (Thu) preview for press and invited guests only) at Daihonzan Myoken-ji in Kyoto. This exhibition is a craft exhibition where the techniques and spirit of traditional crafts inherited throughout Japan intersect with the expressions of contemporary artists. The venue, Daihonzan Myoken-ji, is also known as a place associated with Toyotomi Hideyoshi and has a high affinity with craft works such as vessels and flower vases, reflecting Momoyama culture and tea ceremony culture. Set against the backdrop of Daihonzan Myoken-ji, where history and culture have accumulated, we will convey the new value and possibilities of crafts to Japan and the world.

<Scheduled Participating Artists> From "Kō + Gei" 2026 Participating Artists

Invited Artists (7 names) (in Japanese syllabary order): Ryuichi Kakuzaki, Hisako Sekijima, Junki Tsuchiya, Masahiro Maeda, Ryo Mikami, Kyusetsu Miwa XIII, Shinya Yamamura

Recommended Artists (50 names) (in Japanese syllabary order): Yasuhiro Asai, Hideto Ito, Wataru Ito, Koichi Uchida, Rina Uchida, Xueyang Wang, Momoo Omuro, Sadatoshi Tsukayama, Takahiro Kato, Ryotaro Kato, Kentaro Kawabata, Hiroshi Kishino, Satoshi Kino, Keiko Kume, Mitsuru Koga, Runa Kozogawa, Kenji Gomi, Takayuki Sakiyama, Ryuhei Sako, Yuko Sawatani, Shuzo Shingu, Suna Fujita, Miao Sun, Nami Takahashi, Satohime Tanaka, Shingo Tsukuda, Eri Dewa, Sanae Tokita, Koji Toda, Kenta Toyoumi, Akio Niisato, Keiko Nishimura, Kanzai Noguchi, Masaya Hashimoto, Makiko Hattori, Ryuta Fukumura, Kosei Fujikawa, Shinya Hongo, Toshiya Masuda, Yoshiko Masumoto, Keita Matsunaga, Masayasu Mitsuke, Haruo Mitsuda, Yo Miyairi, Mai Miyake, Taro Miwa, Haruhi Mutta, Yuichiro Yoshida, Rei Rus, Makoto Wada

*Participating artists are subject to change.

"Kō + Gei" Kyoto 2026 Event Outline

Dates: November 6 (Fri) - 8 (Sun), 2026, 11:00-18:00 (until 17:00 on the 8th) *A preview for press and related parties will be held on November 5 (Thu).

Venue: Daihonzan Myoken-ji (514 Myokenji-mae-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 602-0005)

WEB: https://kogeigene.com/exhibition/

Organizers: Tokyo Bijutsu Club, Agency for Cultural Affairs, National Theatre and Film Centre, Japan Arts Council

*This project is implemented as part of the "Support for Creator Programs (Development and Implementation of Training Programs)" funded by the Fund for Strengthening the Foundation of Cultural and Artistic Activities.

Fund for Strengthening the Foundation of Cultural and Artistic Activities "Support for Creator Programs (Development and Implementation of Training Programs)" | Japan Arts Council

*As of July 6

*For the latest information on ticket sales dates, please check the website.