Event Report: Recreating Art Through Wagashi — Kukuku Hosts Special Event at Pace Gallery for William Monk's First Solo Exhibition in Japan

© William Monk, courtesy Pace Gallery

Kukuku (pronounced 'kukuku'), operated by Harapeko Co., Ltd. (Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO Yuemon Mito), held a special event on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Pace Gallery (Azabudai Hills, Tokyo), during the exhibition of British painter William Monk’s first solo show in Japan, 'Noon Day Night.'

© William Monk, courtesy Pace Gallery

Artisan confectioners recreated Monk’s paintings as nerikiri wagashi, demonstrating the process live and serving them to domestic and international visitors, offering a unique crossover experience between art and traditional Japanese sweets. The event also featured a live online talk session with William Monk himself, allowing direct interaction with attendees.

Not Just an 'Interpretation' — Recreating the Artwork Itself in Wagashi

The wagashi served at this event were not abstract interpretations of Monk’s works, but meticulous edible recreations of the actual artworks, crafted with precision and artistic fidelity.

© William Monk, courtesy Pace Gallery

The exhibition attracts visitors who deeply appreciate Monk’s art. By placing the wagashi side-by-side with the original paintings, natural conversations emerged around creative processes, techniques, and artistic expression.

Attendees observed master wagashi artisan Kaito Fujita at work, gaining insight into the challenges and intricacies of expressing fine art through traditional Japanese confectionery. This provided many with a deeper appreciation of wagashi as both craft and cultural expression.

Event Overview

Date: June 30, 2026 (Tuesday)

Venue: Pace Gallery (Azabudai Hills, Minato-ku, Tokyo)

Program: - Live demonstration and serving of nerikiri wagashi inspired by William Monk’s artworks - Introduction to wagashi, the concept of Kukuku, and the challenges of expressing art through confectionery - Tasting experience for attendees - Online talk session between William Monk and visitors

Note: 'Noon Day Night' is William Monk’s first solo exhibition in Japan, running from June 30 (Tue) to August 16 (Sun), 2026, at Pace Gallery Tokyo. This event was held on the opening day of the exhibition.

Online Talk Session with William Monk

On the day of the event, a live online talk session was held with William Monk, offering attendees a rare opportunity to engage directly with the artist.

Visitor Reactions — 'Delicious!' and 'We Want to Visit Your Shop!'

Attendees who tasted the wagashi shared overwhelmingly positive feedback, including 'It was delicious!' and 'We’d love to visit your shop!' Many photographed the sweets alongside the artworks and shared them on social media, significantly increasing Kukuku’s visibility among art enthusiasts.

Additionally, art professionals expressed interest in future collaborations, signaling growing anticipation for new creative intersections between art and wagashi.

© William Monk, courtesy Pace Gallery

Future Directions

Through this event, Kukuku reaffirmed that wagashi can transcend its role as mere confectionery and serve as a 'medium of expression' connecting cultures. Moving forward, Kukuku will continue to collaborate with the art and cultural sectors to share the craftsmanship of wagashi artisans and the richness of Japanese culture with global audiences.

Exhibition Information

● Exhibition Title: William Monk 'Noon Day Night'

● Dates: June 30 (Tue), 2026 – August 16 (Sun), 2026

● Venue: Pace Gallery (Azabudai Hills)

● Note: William Monk’s first solo exhibition in Japan

Store Information

Name: Kukuku (pronounced: kukuku)

Address: 2F, Casagrande Miwa, 7-5-11 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Hours: 12:00–18:00 (last entry at 16:30)

Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays

Seating: 8 counter seats

Instagram: @999_kukuku

Reservations: OMAKASE, Tabelog, Table Check

Profile of Wagashi Artisan Kaito Fujita

A graduate of Ouka High School in Mie Prefecture, known for its culinary program featured in the drama 'High School Restaurant.' Initially aiming to become a French pastry chef, Fujita shifted his path to traditional Japanese confectionery. He trained at 'Yume Kashi Kobo Kotoyo,' a long-established local wagashi shop. After opening Kukuku, he was selected as a 'Creative Category' restaurant in the Michelin Guide Tokyo 2026, just ten months later.