Ueno Yuji Exhibition-Flower-
Yuji Ueno Exhibition “Flower”
Dates: Friday, 7 March – Sunday, 30 March 2025, 10:00 – 17:00Opening hours
*On 7th and 22nd March start from 13:00
Live Demonstrations : Every Sunday during the exhibition, 10:00 – 11:00
Exhibition Reconfiguration: The display will be periodically rearranged throughout the exhibition.
Please note that on Fridays (11:00 – 14:00), the exhibition layout may be in transition.
About the Exhibition Itamuro Onsen Daikokuya is pleased to host “Flower”, a solo exhibition by Yuji Ueno, from 7 March to 30 March 2025. Known for his distinctive approach to flower arrangement(Hana-ike), Ueno explores the vital energy of flowers and their interaction with space. His work is not merely decorative but rather an inquiry into the essence of existence and the principles of nature, garnering recognition both in Japan and internationally.
Yuji Ueno, born in Kyoto and raised in Kagoshima, is a self-taught flower artist who has developed his unique style through installations, performances, and solo exhibitions across Japan and overseas. He challenges traditional floral art, constantly questioning the relationship between nature, humanity, and the significance of flowers in contemporary settings. His work has been exhibited at galleries and cultural institutions worldwide.
His philosophy can be summarised in his own words:
“In accordance with the infinite and beautifully simple principles of nature and the universe, I declare to remain free from all constraints—sometimes as clear and direct as the open sky, sometimes as deep and obscure as the darkest abyss, always accompanying the complexities of the human heart.”
This statement encapsulates his belief that flower arrangement is a dialogue between nature, human emotion, and the cosmos. Ueno gathers wild flowers and materials imbued with the energy of the land, creating explosive and organic expressions of life’s vitality. His approach remains deeply faithful to the fundamental philosophy of flowers: a bridge between nature and humanity.
This exhibition will feature installations created with flower vessels from Daikokuya’s collection, offering a dynamic, ever-changing experience. Rather than a static display, the arrangements will be regularly altered, particularly on Fridays, allowing visitors to witness the transient beauty of flowers and space. As the exhibition unfolds in March, a season where the first signs of spring emerge in Itamuro, the interplay between the fragility and strength of flowers will be even more pronounced.
This marks Daikokuya’s first-ever dedicated flower arrangement exhibition. While flower arranging is often displayed in short-term installations, this exhibition, spanning nearly a month, presents a rare opportunity to observe the evolving nature of floral art over time.
Live Demonstrations & Artist Residency Every Sunday during the exhibition, Yuji Ueno will conduct live flower arrangement demonstrations, allowing visitors to witness the exact moment when flowers come to life. Observers will experience the energy of the flowers and the breath of the space as Ueno intuitively arranges materials, responding to their form and presence. Ueno himself will be in residence at Itamuro throughout the exhibition, offering visitors the unique opportunity to engage directly with his philosophy and artistic vision.
Visitors are encouraged to stay at Daikokuya to fully immerse themselves in the experience, though day visitors are also welcome. We invite you to spend a moment in conversation with flowers, embracing their silent yet profound presence.
Yuji Ueno
In 1986, Ueno encountered the avant-garde Ikebana works of Hiroshi Teshigahara, which led him to embark on his own path in floral art. He has since created a unique aesthetic, unrestricted by conventional styles or locations.
Coining the term “Hanaike” (the act of giving life to flowers), Ueno has performed worldwide at art festivals, museums, theatres, and galleries. His large-scale live performances, where he arranges oversized branches and flowers across entire stages, captivate audiences with their unparalleled dynamism and delicacy. Additionally, Ueno collaborates with artists from various fields, including poets, photographers, sound artists, and craftsmen, in innovative installation performances.
In recent years, his engaging lectures and workshops, where participants experience flower arrangement firsthand, have gained popularity, attracting both adults and children to the joy of working with flowers.
Biography:
Born: 1967, Kyoto; raised in Kagoshima
1986: Inspired by Hiroshi Teshigahara’s avant-garde ikebana
2004: Began teaching traditional Japanese flower arrangement
2005: Started live hanaike performances
KISHIO SUGA SOUKO MUSEUM
Souko Museum is a permanent exhibition space devoted to Kishio Suga’s work.
We offer guided tours each morning, visiting the Souko Museum and 5 gardens designed by Suga for his installations and sculpture.
- CONTEMPORARY ART AND DAIKOKUYA
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Daikokuya was one of the first traditional Japanese ryokans to incorporate contemporary art into its interior and surroundings. At Daikokuya, we believe that encounters with art can enhance everyday life. We invite you to leave behind your worries and reestablish a connection with your mind and body at Daikokuya, in a beautiful balance of nature and art.