Kaito Kawasaki to hold solo metal casting exhibition in Obuse

Metal casting artist Kaito Kawasaki will hold a solo exhibition titled ‘Utsuroi, Todomeru’ at the Garari Showcase gallery in Obuse, Nagano, from September 4 to October 20, 2026.

The exhibition features new works inspired by the ‘Tomoe Nishiki’ chrysanthemum, a variety traditionally grown in Obuse and depicted in the late-life paintings of Katsushika Hokusai. Kawasaki’s central piece, ‘Gakyo no Kiku’, utilizes the ‘Hido’ technique—an Edo-period method where high-purity copper is heated to near-melting point and rapidly cooled to create a red oxide film without the use of paint.

Kawasaki, a graduate of the Tokyo University of the Arts, focuses on exploring natural colors through chemical reactions and metal ratios. The exhibition aims to bridge Hokusai’s historical artistry with contemporary craftsmanship.