Kyogashi Exhibition 2024-The Tale of Genji Application

This Year's Theme

Small Works of Art Expressed
Through The Tale of Genji

Kyogashi has been created, influenced by literature, art, and Japanese poetry.
We are expecting kyogashi designs full of sensitivity,
inspired by the world of “The Tale of Genji”.

< Application Dates >
Thursday, June 20, 2024 to
Saturday, August 31, 2024
The public call for entries for the Kyogashi Exhibition 2024 has now closed.
Thank you very much for many applications.

Categories

Kyogashi Design Category

京菓子デザイン部門

This category is for people submitting designs for Kyogashi. Designs drawn on the application form will be judged, and the selected designs will be crafted into Kyogashi under the supervision of a confectioner and displayed at an exhibition.

* Fee of 20,000 yen will be required for the production of selected works. Students under 25 years old are free of charge. For more details, please check the [Application Process] below.

Tea Ceremony Sweets Creator Category

茶席菓子実作部門

This category is for people who will actually create tea ceremony sweets (commonly known as "Jo-namagashi").
Entries will be judged based on photos of prototypes and the actual works. Winners will be asked to create their tea ceremony sweets for judging and display for the exhibition.

The production schedule and quantity will be told at the time of the announcement of the winners.

Judging Point

  • *The applicant should have their own way of perceiving "The Tale of Genji" and how to use the characteristics of Kyogashi.
  • *It is said that Kyogashi are to be "eaten with one’s ears,” meaning that the name of Kyogashi is a crucial element. We expect works where the design and the name of Kyogashi complement each other.
  • *The design should take into consideration of the primary function of sweets - to be eaten.

Rules

  • *Only original works which have not been presented elsewhere (in Japan or abroad) are accepted.
  • *One work is accepted from one application form, and up to two works in total by each applicant will be accepted.
  • *Multiple confections cannot be submitted as a single work.
  • *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 30 pieces for judgement and the exhibition.
  • *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.
  • *Domestic and international copyrights, patents, utility models, designs, and trademarks related to the winning works will be the Intellectual properties of Yuuhisai Koudoukan.
  • *If you wish to produce, exhibit, or sell the work after the Kyogashi Exhibition, please contact Yuuhisai Koudoukan.
  • *The organizer reserves the right to use the design and the applicant's names at Yuuhisai Koudoukan, for the exhibition flyers, website etc.
  • *Due to the changes of the social conditions, the Kyogashi exhibition may be held on the website.

Application Process

  • First Round

    For the "Kyogashi Design Category," works will be selected from design concepts. For the "Tea Ceremony Sweets Creator Category," works will be selected from photos of prototypes. The applicants of the winning works in the "Tea Ceremony Sweets Creator Category" will be notified by phone or email in mid-September.

    *For the Kyogashi Design Category, the confectioners will start producing after confirming payment of the production fee (20,000 yen) . To ensure a high quality outcome, please complete the payment within one week after receiving the results (free for students under 25).

  • Exhibition set up

    The selected works from the first round of the "Kyogashi Design Category" will be produced and set up by confectioners. Applicants selected from the first round in the "Tea Ceremony Sweets Creator Category" will be asked to deliver their works in person or by post. Details about delivery dates and other details will be notified later.

  • Second Round

    Winning works and awards will be selected (there is a tasting evaluation in the Tea Ceremony Sweets Creator Category). The results will be announced on the Kyogashi Exhibition website in the middle of October. Winning works will be displayed at the "Kyogashi Exhibition 2024 – The Tale of Genji."

  • Award Ceremony

    Scheduled for Thursday, October 31, 2024.

Application Guidelines

< Application Dates > Thursday, June 20, 2024 to
Saturday, August 31, 2024
The public call for entries for the Kyogashi Exhibition 2024 has now closed.
Thank you very much for many applications.
Requirements
[ Both Categories ]
No restrictions on age, nationality, or professional/amateur status.
[ Kyogashi Design Category ]
Anyone interested in Kyogashi, Japanese culture, or The Tale of Genji.
[ Tea Ceremony Sweets Creator Category ]
Anyone capable of creating tea ceremony sweets themselves.
The Prize
● Grand Prize
Grand Prize: One work from each category. As an additional prize, the winner will get the chance to hold a solo exhibition at Yuuhisai Koudoukan or host a tea ceremony using their Kyogashi sweets (date and details will be decided by consultation).
● Award of Excellence
Several works from each category.
● Award of The Mayor of Kyoto
One work from both categories.
● One work from both categories.
One work from both categories.
● Jury Special Award
One work from both categories, selected by each jury.
● Student Special Award
One work from the student entries.
The Jury
Kumakura Isao
(Director, MIHO MUSEUM)※Chief juror
Iezuka Tomoko
(Director, The Tale of Genji Museum Uji city)
Sasaoka Ryuho
(The head of Kado “Mishoryu Sasaoka”)
Suzuki Sohaku
(Sweets Researcher)
Hirose Chisako
(Professor emeritus, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts)
Matsui Kouji
(The Mayor of Kyoto)
Nozaki Takanori
(General Producer, Classics Day Promotion Committee)
Rekimoto Junichi
（CSO, Sony Computer Science Laboratories）
Hamasaki Kanako
(Director, Yuuhisai Koudoukan)
How to Apply
[ Apply by Mail Form ]
Click the "Apply Online" button at the bottom of the page. For the "Kyogashi Design Category," attach an image of your design, and for the "Tea Ceremony Sweets Creator Category”, attach a photo of your work. Send after filling in the required information.
[ Apply by Application Form ]
Click the "Download Application Form" button to download the form. Fill in the required information on the application form and send the PDF data by email. You can also send by post.
[ Where to Apply ]
Send your application to the address or email address listed under [Contact Information]. *Please write "Kyogashi Exhibition Application" in the email subject line, or write "Kyogashi Exhibition Application Enclosed" on the envelope if sending by post.
[ Contact Information ]
Yuuhisai Koudoukan Foundation (closed on Wednesdays)
524-1 Mototsuchimikado-cho, Kamichoja-machi dori Shinmachi Higashi-iru Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-8006 Japan
TEL： 075-441-6662
E-mail： kyogashi@kodo-kan.com