[Ryukyu Glass Engikichi Matsuda Exhibition] ~Happiness Comes from Beyond the Sea~

## ~Happiness Comes from Beyond the Sea~ Okinawa, Onna Village ## Ryukyu Glass Engikichi Matsuda Exhibition Exhibition Announcement (Benitsubaki Soleil, May 2026 Exhibition) I am Seika Murayama, who operates [Benitsubaki Soleil] (Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto), a "space" (=gallery/space/salon) for "creators and imaginers." Our gallery is active in fostering as many connections as possible between people, things, and events. At our gallery, we will be holding the special exhibition [Ryukyu Glass Engikichi Matsuda Exhibition] in May, with a 17-day period from Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 17. The invited artist participating in this exhibition is Engikichi Matsuda, a master of "Ryukyu Glass" and a "Contemporary Master Craftsman," residing in Okinawa. (Received the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare's Award for Contemporary Master Craftsman in November 2025) ### The Artist's Thoughts on This Exhibition The exhibited works this time are from the "Onna Blue" series. As the name suggests, it evokes the sea of Onna Village, and is a design that reproduces the sea of Onna Village, the land where Engikichi Matsuda was born and raised. This work received the Grand Prize (Governor's Award) in the Okinawa Prefecture Specialty Product Contest in 2023, and a portion of the sales contributes to social welfare by donating to the Onna Village Coral Fund. Onna Blue Page Link https://www.takumi-kobo.com/item-onnablue/ Furthermore, having received the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare's Award for "Contemporary Master Craftsman" in November 2025 last year, this is his first exhibition as a master craftsman. This award is a testament to his 45 years of continuous dedication to refining Ryukyu glass techniques, and he has a strong desire to continue contributing to the development of the Ryukyu glass industry through his own works. ### From the Gallery Owner The title of this exhibition is "Happiness Comes from Beyond the Sea." It is an exhibition where you can feel the sea and sky of Okinawa's "Onna Village," its sparkle and colors, within the glass artworks. This exhibition is held with the wish that the artist Engikichi Matsuda's heart, embodying his feelings for his hometown that take shape and reach someone's hands, and from there connect back to his hometown's sea, will resonate. We sincerely hope that many people will visit and experience the wonderful world of Ryukyu glass art. We will guide you through the outline in this news release. We kindly ask you to feature this in your newspapers, magazines, and broadcast programs. Benitsubaki Soleil, Seika Murayama ## Details Happiness Comes from Beyond the Sea Ryukyu Glass Engikichi Matsuda Exhibition ### Exhibition Outline - Period ● May 1 (Fri) - 17 (Sun), 2026 - Hours ● 12:00 - 18:00 (Open every day during the exhibition) - Venue ● Benitsubaki Soleil (Chusenzu-dori, Shijo Agaru, Nakagyo-ku) - Admission ● Free ### Venue: Access from Nearest Station - Approximately 8 minutes walk from Kyoto Municipal Subway Tozai Line and JR Sagano Line "Nijo Station." *Proceed straight south from the irregular five-way intersection of Senbon Sanjo (Map location). - Starting from Shijo Omiya, head north at the intersection of Shijo-dori and Senbon-dori. Alternatively, you can also come via Goin-dori towards Sanjo-dori, near the "Mibu Shajo-mae" bus stop. 〒604-8872 46-1 Mibu Goshonouchi-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto. Contact: 090-2112-6873 Owner Murayama ### Exhibitor / Invited Artist Engikichi Matsuda (Ryukyu Glass Artist | Recipient of Contemporary Master Craftsman Award) - Born in Onna Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture - Established and presided over "Fuki Glass Takumi Kobo" in April 2000. Since then, he has continued his business to the current "Takumi Ryukyu Glass Takumi Kobo Co., Ltd.", serving as its representative. - Received the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare's Award "Contemporary Master Craftsman" in November 2025. ◆ Expected to primarily exhibit works from the "Onna Blue" series (※) which evokes the sea of Onna Village, Okinawa. ※) Received the Grand Prize (Governor's Award) in the Okinawa Prefecture Specialty Product Contest in 2023 | A portion of sales donated to the Onna Village Coral Fund. ### Exhibition Message _Happiness Comes from Beyond the Sea_ ...There was such a sky, wind, and light that made you want to breathe in such a legend and story with your whole body. Okinawa "Onna Village." ●Indeed, this place is a southern "paradise." "Blessings of blue" and "rich greenery" (*) spread out literally. ●"Onna Blue" is as if the light, wind, and sky – above all, the 'sea' – are captured within a glass vessel. ●We sincerely invite you to see the numerous works of Ryukyu glass master Engikichi Matsuda – centered on this series born from overflowing feelings for his hometown – here in Kyoto. *) From the call on Onna Village's official website https://www.vill.onna.okinawa.jp/ ※ Onna Blue special content (Ryukyu Glass Takumi Kobo) https://www.takumi-kobo.com/item-onnablue/ Information on [Benitsubaki Soleil] homepage / printed materials. We will provide information mainly on the gallery's official website and the following URLs. ◎ [Benitsubaki Soleil] Gallery Site (Top page ⇒ https://www.benitsubaki-soleil.jp) ## Information on This Exhibition Content https://www.benitsubaki-soleil.jp/exhibition_2026/kikaku_0501_17.html ## "Exhibition" Information Screen ⇒ https://www.benitsubaki-soleil.jp/exhibition.html ### Inquiries For inquiries regarding this news release and the exhibition, please contact the following. **Benitsubaki Soleil** 〒604-8872 46-1 Mibu Goshonouchi-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto. 090-2112-6873 Seika Murayama e-Mail: seika-murayama@benitsubaki-soleil.jp ◎ In addition to the Benitsubaki Soleil website (gallery site / online shop site), please also check the various **** including the owner Seika Murayama's Facebook. https://www.benitsubaki-soleil.jp www.facebook.com/紅椿それいゆ-469232123137961/ www.facebook.com/seika.murayama.7 www.instagram.com/seikamurayama/ https://shop.benitsubaki-soleil.jp ●LINE Official Account● https://line.me/R/ti/p/%40346ratpd End