Kyogashi Exhibition “Palm-sized Nature – Ogura Hyakunin-Isshu (One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets)” 2017 Design Contest

Kyogashi Sweets Design Contest
The winning works will be displayed at the “Palm-sized Nature – Ogura Hyakunin-Isshu” Exhibition 2017

Built on the former site of the Edo-period private school, Yuhisai Kodokan, the center for study and arts, is once again organizing a Kyogashi sweets exhibition.
This year's topic is “Ogura Hyakunin-Isshu (One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets)”
Depending on the scene where it is eaten and the people who eats it, kyogashi is specially 　designed one by one. When we make certain themes and scenes into kyogashi, Japanese poetry has always played a big role.

Ogura Hyakunin-Isshu is the Ogura Anthology of one hundred poems by one hundred poets. The poems were chosen by Fujiwarano Sadaie, a court noble who succeeded between the end of Heian Period to the early stage of Kamakura period.
In the Edo period when the private school of Minagawa Kien was founded, Ogura Hyakunin-Isshu became popular among the public as an illustrated karuta.

We are waiting for creative kyogashi designs, inspired by Ogura Hyakunin-Isshu.

The Glamour of Kyogashi

With their roots in the ancient tradition of confectionery used in ceremonies and rituals of the Imperial Court, kyogashi (lit. “Kyoto sweets”) have developed as the sweets for tea with the prosperity of tea ceremony in the Edo period (1603 – 1868).

Made by skilled craftsmen out of carefully selected ingredients using only a few basic tools, kyogashi are almost like little works of art.

The form of kyogashi is usually quite abstract, filled with the essence of the seasons, reflecting the subtle changes of colours. They are given poetical names which trigger one's imagination.

It could be said that they are a crystallized form of Japanese aesthetics.

Contest details
Theme: Ogura Hyakunin-Isshu
(One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets)

Kyogashi has been created, influenced by art and Japanese poetry.
We are expecting kyogashi designs full of sensitivity, inspired by Ogura Hyakunin-Isshu.

Requirements

Kyogashi Design Category:
Anyone interested in kyogashi, Hyakunin-Isshu, or Japanese poems.
Tea Ceremony Sweets Creator Category and Craft Confectionery Creator Category:
Anyone who is able to make tea ceremony sweets or craft confectionery.

There are no limits on age, nationality or profession.

The Prize

Grand Prize: one work from each category.
The winner will get the chance to hold a solo exhibition at Yuhisai Kodokan. Alternatively, there will be a tea ceremony gathering held using the winning sweets.
Award of Excellence: several works from each category.
Award of The Mayor of Kyoto: one work regardless of categories.
Award of Classics Day Promotion Committee: one work regardless of categories.
Jury’s Special Award: one work from each jury.
Student Award: one work from the Student category.

The Jury

Kadokawa Daisaku(The Mayor of Kyoto)
Reizei Tamehito (Board Chairman, Reizei Family Shigure-Tei Library Foundation)
Yamamoto Sota(General Producer, Classics Day Promotion Committee)
Hirose Chisako (Professor, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts)
Tosa Naoko (Artist; Professor, Kyoto University)
Suzuki Sohaku(Sweets Researcher)
Sugimoto Setsuko (Cuisine Researcher; Board Chairman and Head of Secretariat, Naraya-Sugimoto Residence Foundation)
Hamasaki Kanako (Associate Professor, Senshu University; Director of Yuhisai Kodokan)

Application Dates

Submissions accepted from Junly 1st (Saturday) to August 31th (Thursday), 2017

Application Process

First round: Works will be selected from design concepts in the case of Kyogashi Design Category, or from photographs in the case of Tea Ceremony Sweets Creator Category and the Craft Confectionery Creator Category. (All applicants will be noticed on the results in the beginning of October.) All chosen works will be displayed at the “Palm-sized Nature – Ogura Hyakunin Isshu” Exhibition 2017.
Exhibition set up: The works from the Design Category will be made and set up by kyogashi artisans.
Applicants from the Creator Categories (Tea Ceremony Sweets and Craft Confectionery) will be asked to deliver their works in person or by post. The contestants will be notified about the exact dates and other details.
Second round: During the period of the exhibition, the jury will select the Grand Prize and the Award of Excellence from the displayed works. (For the Tea Ceremony Sweets Creator Category, there will be a tasting exam as well.)
Award Ceremony: A ceremony will be held during the course of the exhibition.

How to Apply

Application form: Please fill in the form from the flyer or print out the form from the official website of the “Palm-sized Nature –Ogura Hyakunin-Isshu (One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets)” Exhibition 2017 (this website).
Ways of application: For the Design Category, we accept applications by post or E-mail. For the Creator Category, we accept applications by post, or applications delivered in person. Applications by FAX are not accepted for any category.
Where to Apply: Please send the filled out application to the address or E-mail below. Applications cannot be returned.

Download of the application form. Please download from here.
Download（PDF/47KB）

Points of evaluation

The applicant's way of perceiving of Hyakunin-Isshu, ability to use the characteristic properties of kyogashi, while creating something original.
It is said, that kyogashi are to be “eaten with one's ears,” meaning that they are given poetical names. The jury will look at the correspondence between the name and the design and how they support each other.
How the design takes into consideration the primary function of sweets – to be eaten.

Rules

Only original works which have not been presented elsewhere (in Japan or abroad) are accepted.
Up to two works in total by each applicant will be accepted.
Works consisting of a group of two or more sweets cannot be submitted for the Kyogashi Design Category or Tea Ceremony
Sweets Creator Category. They can only be accepted in the Craft Confectionery Creator Category.
During the exhibition, the works will be exchanged for fresh ones in case of discolouration or decay. Therefore, for the chosen works in the Creator Categories, the applicant will be asked to provide at least fifteen pieces of the same sweet.
For the Design Category, the sweets for the exhibition will be made by a craftsman according to the design concept. The design of the actual sweet might be slightly changed due to technical reasons.
The applications cannot be returned. The personal information will be respected and will not be used for purposes other than the contest and exhibition.
The design concepts, application photographs and chosen works will become the intellectual property of Yuhisai Kodokan. They will be carefully stored by the foundation.
The organizer reserves the right to use the design and the applicant's names at Yuhisai Kodokan, for the exhibition flyers, website etc.

Contact Information

Yuuhisai Koudoukan Foundation
524-1 Mototsuchimikado-cho, Kamigyo-ku , Kyoto, 602-8006 Japan.
Tel/FAX 075-441-6662
E-mail: kyogashi@kodo-kan.com　WEB: http://kodo-kan.com/kyogashi