The Kikuchi Biennale XI Ceramic Competition Call for Entry
Applications will be accepted online between June 1-30, 2025
Kikuchi Biennale, held once every two years since 2004, is a ceramic competition hosted by the Kikuchi Kanjitsu Memorial Tomo Museum. For over 20 years, Tomo Museum has been dedicated to promoting contemporary ceramics from the capital city of Japan, Tokyo, and organizing this ceramic competition has been a significant part of this mission.
In Kikuchi Biennale, we accept ceramic artworks regardless of the content of works or the qualifications of the participants in order to observe the present state and the possibilities of contemporary ceramic artworks. Selected works will be on display at Tomo Museum for roughly three months as part of the Biennale Exhibition. We encourage applicants to take this chance to re-evaluate their creation style, break free from their artistic barrier, and submit an innovative work of art.
Application Details
◆ Eligibility
Applicant who works in the field of ceramics.
Applicant who is able to use English or Japanese.
◆ Note on Accepted Work
We accept a submission of one ceramic artwork created by the applicant. One set of works will be counted as one work. The submitted work must be created within one year of the submission date and must not be publicized on occasions such as another competition, solo or group exhibitions. There is no limit on size. However, the submitted work must be able to be carried and placed without the support of special equipment.
◆ Application Fee
6,000 Japanese yen
• Payment method: credit card or bank transfer via the online application form.
• Please note that bank transfers are only available from Japanese banks. Any transaction fees will be borne by the applicant.
• Non-refundable once the transaction is complete.
◆ Jury
• KAKUREZAKI Ryuichi (Ceramic artist)
• KIKUCHI Atsuki (Art director)
• SHOMURA Misato (Deputy director, Curatorial section, The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu)
• DAICHO Tomohiro (Chief curator, The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto)
• HATAKEYAMA Koji (Metal artist)
• KIKUCHI Misao (Director, Kikuchi Kanjitsu Memorial Tomo Museum)
• SHIMAZAKI Keiko (Chief curator, Kikuchi Kanjitsu Memorial Tomo Museum)
◆ Prizes and Special Recognitions
One Grand Prize: 2,000,000 yen
One Merit Prize: 500,000 yen
Three Honorable Mentions: 150,000 yen
• Grand Prize artwork will become a part of Tomo Museum’s permanent collection.
• All applicants whose works are accepted in the Biennale Exhibition (including the prize winners) will be given a certificate and an exhibition catalog.
◆ Submission Period
Open: June 1st (Sunday), 2025
◆ Application Method
The first selection process is conducted through examining images and supplementary texts on the artwork. Applicant is requested to fill out an application form and then upload the images of the artwork.
Application flow: Pay the application fee → Upload the artwork images along with the supplementary texts of the artwork → Provide applicant’s information.
Information on your account, including the images and texts, can be modified until the deadline.
◆ Content of the application form include:
Applicant’s personal details (Full name, address, contact information, date of birth), Textual information on the artwork (Title of the artwork, size, intent of creating the artwork, techniques and method of firing, estimated value for insurance), Information on the applicant’s past artworks (optional), and résumé.
• Please note that the texts submitted for the “intent of creating the artwork” section will be shared with the public for the Kikuchi Biennale exhibition.
◆ The images of the artwork must include the main shot (pictured from the front). Additionally, applicants may attach two other images from different angles. In those images, please capture how the works should be displayed. (placed on the ground, hung on the wall, etc.)
• Images must be in jpg format. Each image should be 8 MB or less. Recommended size is 2304×1728 pixels.
• Please title the image pictured from the front as, “Entry Work Main” and the images pictured from different angles as, “Supplementary 1”, “Supplementary 2”.
• Videos are not accepted.
◆ Starting from this Kikuchi Biennale XI, applicants may attach up to three other artworks, produced in the past for reference. (optional)
• Images must be in jpg format. Each image should be 8 MB or less. Recommended size is 2304×1728 pixels.
• Please title the images of artworks produced in the past as, “Past Artwork 1”, “Past Artwork 2”, and “Past Artwork 3”.
• Videos are not accepted.
◆ Selection Process
The first selection process result: July 22nd (Tuesday), 2025
The first selection process is conducted through digital images and supplementary texts (information on the artwork). After determining the result of the first stage, applicants will be notified via e-mail and postal mail. Those who have passed the first selection process will receive necessary information regarding sending/delivering the artwork. Applicants will have roughly one month to send/deliver their artworks for the second selection process.
The second selection process result: September 4th (Thursday), 2025
The second selection process is conducted through physical examination of the artwork. Applicants will be requested to send or deliver their artworks to the designated address for the second selection process. The final result will be notified via e-mail and postal mail.
◆ Sending/Delivering the Artwork
1 – Applicants who passed the first selection process will be requested to send or deliver their artworks at their own expense (including the customs clearance fees).
2 – As a general understanding, the artwork is expected to be returned in the same way it was sent/delivered.
3 – The return cost for the selected artwork will be paid at the organizer’s expense (Domestic or International).
4 – The return cost for the non-selected artwork should be paid at the applicant’s expense (Domestic or International).
5 – If the artwork is brought in directly, the return method should be the same.
6 – For artwork that is delivered by other methods than those mentioned above, the organizers will consult with the applicant on the returning method. The cost for this return will be borne as mentioned in the above items 3 and 4.
◆ Exhibition
On Display from December 13th (Saturday), 2025 to March 22nd (Sunday), 2026
Location: Kikuchi Kanjitsu Memorial Tomo Museum (4-1-35, Toranomon Minato-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN)
Organized by: Kikuchi Foundation
Supported by: Nanyushosha Co., Ltd., Keiyo Gas Co., Ltd.
◆ Inquiry
Kikuchi Biennale XI Office, Kikuchi Foundation
4-1-35 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, JAPAN
E-mail: info@musee-tomo.or.jp
