Satsuki & Shingo Oka × KYO AMAHARE "Tenpyo Karakusa" (Tenpyo Arabesque)
The Tenpyo culture once blossomed in Japan, the historical terminus of the Silk Road.
Satsuki and Shingo Oka dedicate themselves to their craft at "Tenpyo-gama" (Tenpyo Kiln), named in honor of this era.
Looking at the arabesque (karakusa) patterns painted by the two artists, one is captivated by the imagination of these motifs traveling across regions, gently shifting and transforming under the influence of local climates and cultures.
Annam, the Joseon Dynasty, Ko-Imari.
Different eras, different regions.
Fascinated by the beauty of the patterns nurtured throughout these histories, the artists have created a truly unique "Tenpyo Karakusa."
We invite you to look forward to this exceptional exhibition.
To ensure that all guests can take their time to appreciate the artwork in a relaxed atmosphere, attendance on both days will be entirely by advance reservation (via lottery).
If you wish to visit, please review the details below and apply accordingly.
We sincerely look forward to welcoming you.
Exhibition Overview
Dates: October 2 (Fri) – October 3 (Sat), 2026
Artists Present: October 2 (Fri) and October 3 (Sat)
Location: KYO AMAHARE. @kyo_amahare
127 Aburaya-cho, Yanaginobanba-higashi-iru, Takoyakushi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8063
TEL: 075-256-3280
E-mail: kyo@amahare.jp
Reservation Details (By Lottery)
・October 2 (Friday) |
This day is strictly by reservation (lottery) for invited guests only.
Direct invitations will be sent to eligible guests.
Please check the details provided in your invitation.
Note: A special tea ceremony featuring Mr. and Mrs. Oka will be held from 3:00 PM on October 2 (Fri). Priority for this event will also be given to invited guests. If seats become available, we will announce them separately.
・October 3 (Saturday) |
This day is by reservation (lottery) for the general public.
If you wish to visit, please apply following the instructions below.
Application Period for Oct 3:
September 17 (Thu) 12:00 PM – September 20 (Sun) 8:00 PM
Applications submitted outside this time frame will be invalid.
How to Apply:
Please email your application to kyo@amahare.jp.
This is a lottery, not first-come-first-served.
Entry is organized into 30-minute shifts.
Available Time Slots (Saturday, Oct 3):
1. 12:00 - 12:30
2. 13:00 - 13:30
3. 14:00 - 14:30
4. 15:00 - 15:30
Required Information in Your Email:
1. Desired time slot (Please list up to your 3rd choice)
2. Full Name
3. Phone Number
4. Email Address
If you are available for any time slot, please indicate so.
Incomplete applications will be considered invalid.
Lottery Results & Important Requests
・Announcement: Only the selected winners will be notified via email by September 24 (Thu). We kindly ask for your understanding that if you do not receive an email, your application was not selected.
・Party Size: Please visit alone (one person per reservation). Only the selected winner may enter.
・Identity Verification: Please apply under your own name. You may be asked to present a photo ID on the day of your visit.
・Purchase Limits: To allow as many people as possible to enjoy the works, quantity restrictions on purchases may apply.
・Resale Policy: Anyone determined by our store to be purchasing for resale purposes will be asked to leave the premises immediately.
Tea Ceremony "Tenpyo"
Satsuki & Shingo Oka × Sabo Kyo
In conjunction with the exhibition starting October 2 (Fri), Sabo Kyo will host a special tea ceremony titled "Tenpyo".
"May heaven and earth be governed in peace."
We hope you will spend a serene and comfortable time surrounded by the meaning behind this beautiful word and the works created by Satsuki and Shingo Oka.
Guests attending this gathering will be guided to the exhibition during the 5:00 PM time slot.
Please look forward to an exclusive, one-day-only menu.
Event Details:
・Date: October 2 (Fri)
・Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
・Location: Sabo Kyo / KYO
・Fee: 8,800 JPY (Tax included) A 10% service charge will be added separately.
・Reservations: Priority is given to invited guests.
・If seats become available, we will make a separate announcement.
Cast
・Utsuwa: Satsuki & Shingo Oka
・Rain (Service): Ami Sakaguchi (Kyo)
・Tea: Yorozu
・Sweets: Kombuya Magobei
・Supervision: Suguru Tokubuchi (Yorozu)
・Meeting (Artists): Satsuki & Shingo Oka
Photo / Yuka Yanazume | Text / Kenichi Kaneko
Shingo-san's Karakusa
In Japan, the "Karakusa" (arabesque) pattern has been painted as a ceramic motif primarily in Hizen, Tobe, and Okinawa.
I am one of those who became captivated by its charm after encountering this beautiful pattern while visiting various pottery regions.
What made me an even bigger fan of Karakusa was Shingo Oka-san's "Annam-style Karakusa."
I still cannot forget the emotion I felt when I first saw his painting, which possesses both a generous spirit and delicate refinement.
My encounter with Shingo-san's Annam Karakusa led me to realize that Karakusa patterns possess strong regional characteristics.
Through his work, I learned how this pattern transformed as it traveled along the Silk Road, taught to me through Shingo-san's Karakusa.
I named this exhibition "Tenpyo Karakusa" with the hope of conveying my gratitude to Shingo-san and Satsuki-san.
A Hint of Sake
Pssh!
The pleasant sound of a beer can opening that echoes right at noon.
I have countless memories at Tenpyo-gama, but this moment is by far the most memorable.
Shingo-san's smiling face as he approaches with a beer in hand, and
Satsuki-san's expression that seems to say, "There he goes, drinking from noon again."
Whenever I visit, this scene never changes, and I always find myself grinning as I watch them.
I have had the privilege of sharing drinks with Shingo-san and Satsuki-san many times in Tokyo, Karatsu, and Kyoto.
During these times, they taught me a great deal not only about ceramics but also about how to live.
Thank you, as always.
Timeless and Stateless
Looking at Shingo-san's work, one finds many pieces that make it impossible to tell what era they are from or who made them.
Although the title of this piece says "Annam," it breaks free from that mold with its stamped textures (inka) and
unexpected color combinations.
The exquisite sense of balance that adds a modern touch is truly one of a kind.
My expectations only grow for Shingo-san's ever-evolving artistic expression.
Okaratsu
"I've never trained in Karatsu ware, so my Karatsu is 'Okaratsu' (short for Oka-san's Karatsu),"
Shingo-san says with a laugh.
The rustic iron underglaze painting (tetsue) perfectly suits the tokonoma (alcove) at KYO AMAHARE.
Delicate
A single flower blooming on a framed ceramic plaque.
How incredibly delicate the flowers Satsuki-san paints are.
They bring an even fresher, vibrant atmosphere to the space at KYO.
Satsuki-san's Karakusa
"Satsuki puts her very life into her painting,"
Shingo-san once said.
The hardship of continuously painting such meticulous details is beyond imagination, and
I believe Shingo-san shared this because he deeply understands the toll it takes.
Yet, what comes through from Satsuki-san's Karakusa is not force or desperation, but a gentle, maternal kindness.
I hope this exhibition, under the name of "Tenpyo," will also be a calm and gentle time, overflowing with that same kindness.
