Iron, Glass, Wood - The Shape of Togetherness

The Yuhokan HIDA GALLERY has completed its full-scale renovation, ongoing since last year, and is now ready for its grand reopening. To commemorate this occasion, we are hosting an exhibition featuring three artists: Ryuji Mitani (wood), Masaki Kanamori (iron), and Masao Kozumi (glass).

This unique exhibition features three craftsmen working with different materials collaborating to create several products. Each craftsman brings his own materials and techniques; yet together they create a rich and vibrant world.

The two craftsmen who joined the exhibition at the recommendation of Ryuji Mitani are Masaki Kanamori, who traces his family name back to the Kanamori clan, former lords of Hida Province, and Masao Kozumi, who currently operates a workshop in Gifu Prefecture. Interestingly, both of them share a deep connection to the Hida Takayama region.

In the wide world of crafts, these three artists - differ in age and the genre in which they work - have come together, guided by deep trust in each other’s work, to create pieces that may subtly shape the future of craftsmanship.

materials

Artists

三⾕⿓⼆

Wood Ryuji Mitani

Born in Fukui Prefecture in 1952. In 1981, he established PERSONA STUDIO in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. His creative journey began with a small brooch made from Japanese linden wood. He eventually began crafting everyday items such as spoons and tableware as works of art, pioneering the field of lifestyle crafts—a realm previously unexplored in woodworking. Since 1985, he has helped with the operation of o the “Craft Fair Matsumoto,” playing a pivotal role in establishing Matsumoto as a city of craftsmanship. In 2011, he renovated an old tobacco shop and opened “10cm” on Rokku Street in the city. Since 2012, he has participated in the “Rokku Craft Street” (renamed “Rokku Craft Festival” in 2022), At the festival, he hosts curated exhibitions featuring works by artists. In 2025, he designed the furniture series “3r-h furniture,” which was released by Hida Sangyo Co.,Ltd.

⼩澄正雄

Glass Masao Kozumi

Born in Kumamoto in 1979. After graduating from the Toyama Institute of Glass Art, he worked at a glass studio in Tokyo for five years and at a third-sector glass studio in Toyama for ten years. Initially, he was searching for a spacious workshop in the Toyama area, but he ended up moving to Gifu Prefecture in 2015 because he happened to find his current location online. Most of his creations are usable items such as bowls and vases, but he does not prioritize usability. “The thin ones are about 1 mm thick. You could use them if you wanted to, though,” he says.

⾦森正起

Iron Masaki Kanamori

Born in Nagoya in 1975. As a child, he thought he would take over his fatherʼ s factory, and enrolled in an industrial university. After graduating, he joined a major machine tool company but found it unsuitable, and after two years, he quit to start making things by hand. Around 2000, he began visiting blacksmiths. He studied under iron sculptor Nobuo Matsuo. Later, he worked in forestry while living in the countryside. In 2006, he began creating household items at his current location. He is the director of the small museum “Shōshō.” Currently, he is renovating an old farm house in Seto City with the aim of creating a new space for exchange in crafts, art, and Japanese culture.

Exhibits

Earring case　φ70×h30mm　Glass, white lacquer
Salt cellar　φ90×h75mm　Wood, black enamel
Walking Stick　800mm　Silver-plated, white lacquer
Whiskey Box　φ105×h165mm　Glass, oak wood, brass

Overview

  • Period
    October 4－November 16,2025
  • Open time
    10:00－18:00　Closed on Wednesdays and Third Thursday
  • Place
    YUHOKAN HIDA GALLERY 2F（26, Kamiichino-machi, Takayama-shi, Gifu-ken, 506-0844）
  • Fee
    Free
  • Exhibiting artist
    Ryuji Mitani, Masaki Kanamori, Masao Kozumi
  • Space Design by
    Yoshifumi Nakamura, Makoto Koizumi
  • Exhibition
    Fixture Design
    by
    Ray Chen
  • Organized by
    Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd.
  • Support
    Takayama City
展示概要

Talk Session

On the first day of the event, we will be holding a talk session with guests Ryuji Mitani, Yoshifumi Nakamura, and Makoto Koizumi. Please see the online reservation page for details.

  • Date and Time

    October 4, 2025 (Sat)

  • Place

    Takayama Museum of History and Art (75 Kamiichinomachi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture)

  • Capacity

    100 persons (free of charge, reservation required)

  • How to reserve

    Online Reservations

『3 materials』

The “3 materials” exhibition featured craft artists working with different materials—wood, iron, and glass—engaging in collaborative creation. This is a cross-talk between the three participating artists.

Speakers

  • Ryuji Mitani Woodworker
  • Masao Kozumi Glass Artist
  • Masaki Kanamori Metalwork Artist

Facilitator

  • Facilitator Akiko Okada President, Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd.

『The Future of YUHOKAN HIDA GALLERY』

YUHOKAN celebrates its grand opening. Through this event, we will discuss our goals and the possibilities for this space with the architects and designers involved in its renovation.

Speakers

  • Yoshifumi Nakamura Architect
  • Makoto Koizumi Furniture Designer
  • Sanzo Okada Chairman of the Board, Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd.

Facilitator

  • Facilitator Akiko Okada President, Hida Sangyo Co., Ltd.
Click here to make a reservation

Events / Workshops

We offer workshops where you can try your hand at woodworking projects, as well as
forest walking tours. *Please be sure to register for the details below. (Reservations are preferred)

Making spoons from odds and ends from the forest
Ibuki Kaiyama（Woodworker）

Participants pick from spoon blanks that have been rough-hewn from branches by the artist, selecting their favorite shape, and polish it with sandpaper and oil to complete the process. You can create a one-of-a-kind spoon that makes the most of the natural shape of the wood.

  • Time

    October 25,sat
    10:00〜12:00　14:00〜16:00
    October 26,sun
    14:00〜16:00
    November 15,sat
    10:00〜12:00　14:00〜16:00
    November 16,sun
    14:00〜16:00

  • Capacity

    5 people

  • Price

    JPY1,800〜（tax in）※Prices vary by selected spoon size.

  • Target

    Open to all ※Junior high school students and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Click here to make a reservation

Making spoons from odds and ends from the forest＋Communication Lunch
Ibuki Kaiyama（Woodworker）

Participants pick from spoon blanks that have been rough-hewn from branches by the artist, selecting their favorite shape, and polish it with sandpaper and oil to complete the process. You can create a one-of-a-kind spoon that makes the most of the natural shape of the wood. After the workshop, enjoy a communication lunch with the artist at CAFE&TABLE Kō.

  • Time

    October 26,sun
    10:00〜13:00
    November 16,sun
    10:00〜13:00

  • Capacity

    5 people

  • Price

    JPY4,500〜（tax in）※Prices vary by selected spoon size.

  • Target

    Open to all ※Junior high school students and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Click here to make a reservation

Forest Walking Tour
Seika Menjo（Hida City Regional Revitalization Volunteer）

This tour lets you explore the forests of Hida City while learning about trees and medicinal herbs. After the tour, you can sample special sweets and Kuromoji tea at CAFE&TABLE Kō.

  • Time

    October 18,sat　13:00〜16:00

  • Capacity

    15 people

  • Price

    JPY3,500（tax in）

  • Target

    Open to all ※Junior high school students and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Click here to make a reservation

Factory Tour + Planning Experience Chopstick Making
Taishi Uratani（Furniture Maker）

Tour the furniture factory to see how furniture is made, then experience making chopsticks using a plane under the guidance of a furniture craftsman.

  • Time

    October 31,fri
    13:00〜14:30
    November 14,fri
    13:00〜14:30

  • Capacity

    5 people

  • Price

    JPY2,000（tax in）

  • Target

    Open to all ※Junior high school students and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Click here to make a reservation

Making Aroma Sprays

Create your own original aromatherapy spray by blending your favorite essential oils from our selection of 100% natural, additive-free essential oil testers.

  • Time

    During business hours

  • Capacity

    There is no capacity limit, but you may be asked to wait during busy times.

  • Price

    JPY1,100（tax in）

  • Target

    Open to all

Special Sale

“3 materials Iron, Glass, Wood - The Shape of Togetherness” Booklet

We will sell a booklet summarizing the contents of the exhibition online.

Specifications A5 Variant Size (W150 × H216 mm) 50 pages
Photography Kazuhiro Shiraishi
Interview and Text Yuka Sano
Designer Yuri Suyama
Editor Ayako Takahashi
Publication Date October 4, 2025

Click here to purchase

Lottery sales of works by Ryuji Mitani, Masaki Kanamori, and Masao Kozumi

Works to be exhibited at the exhibition during the exhibition will be sold by lottery.
Please apply for the lottery by selecting the works on display at the exhibition.
The drawing will be held after the exhibition closes, so you can view the artwork at your leisure during the exhibition. Selection is not on a first-come, first-served basis, so please apply within the application period.

How to apply:
Application Period: October 4 (Sat) - November 16 (Sun) during the exhibition
Applications accepted: In-store at YUHOKAN HIDA GALLERY only

Announcement of Lottery Results:
Only the winners will be notified by e-mail.

Notes:
Purchase for the purpose of resale is strictly prohibited.
Cancellation after winning is strictly prohibited.
No telephone or email orders will be accepted.
The shipping address must be within Japan.
*For other details, please ask our in-store staff.

Facility Information

YUHOKAN HIDA GALLERY

  • Address

    26, Kamiichino-machi, Takayama-shi, Gifu-ken, 506-0844

  • Open time

    10:00－18:00　Wednesdays and Third Thursday

  • Contact Us

    0577-32-8892
    yuhokan@shop.hidasangyo.com

  • Access

    From Takayama Station
    About 14 minutes on foot
    About 6 minutes by cab

    From HIDA Takayama Store
    About 16 minutes on foot
    About 10 minutes by bus and on foot
    From the Tenman Jinja-mae bus stop to the Hida Museum of History and Art bus stop
    About 6 minutes by cab

    Parking lot available

Google map