Ryukyu Glass Hidekichi Matsuda Exhibition: "Happiness Comes from Beyond the Sea"

[Ryukyu Glass Hidekichi Matsuda Exhibition] ~Happiness Comes from Beyond the Sea~ Exhibition Announcement (Benitsubaki Soleil, May 2026 Special Exhibition) "A 'Sky/Space' (= Gallery/Space/Salon) for 'Creators and Imagers'." My name is Yasuka Murayama, and I run [Benitsubaki Soleil] (Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City). This gallery is active in fostering as many connections as possible between people, things, and events. We will be holding our May special exhibition, [Ryukyu Glass Hidekichi Matsuda Exhibition], at our gallery for 17 days from Friday, May 1st to Sunday, May 17th. The invited artist for this special exhibition is Mr. Hidekichi Matsuda, a master of "Ryukyu Glass" and a recipient of the "Contemporary Master Craftsman" award, residing in Okinawa. (Awarded by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare in November 2025). 《Artist's Thoughts on This Exhibition》 The works exhibited this time belong to the series "Onna Blue". As the name suggests, it is inspired by the sea of Onna Village, and the design recreates the sea of "Onna Village," the place where Hidekichi Matsuda was born and raised. This work won the highest prize (Prefectural Governor's Award) at the Okinawa Prefectural Specialty Product Contest in 2023, and a portion of the sales contributes to social causes, such as donating to Onna Village's coral fund. Onna Blue Page Link: https://www.takumi-kobo.com/item-onnablue/ Furthermore, he received the "Contemporary Master Craftsman" award from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare in November of last year (2025). This award, a first for a master craftsman, comes from 45 years of continuous refinement of his Ryukyu glass techniques. He strongly desires to continue contributing to the development of the Ryukyu glass industry through his 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 "Onna Village" in Okinawa, its radiance and colors, within the glass works. The artist Mr. Hidekichi Matsuda's desire is for his hometown's sentiments to take shape, reach someone's hands, and then connect back to the sea of his hometown. We are holding this exhibition with that wish in our hearts. We hope that many people will visit and experience the wonderful world of Ryukyu glass. We sincerely wish for this. We will provide an overview in this press release. We kindly request that you feature this in your newspaper, magazine, or broadcast program. Sincerely, Yasuka Murayama Benitsubaki Soleil Details Happiness Comes from Beyond the Sea Ryukyu Glass Hidekichi Matsuda Exhibition 【Exhibition Details】 Period: Friday, May 1, 2026 - Sunday, May 17 Hours: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Open daily during the exhibition period) Venue: Benitsubaki Soleil (1-chome, Senbon-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto) Admission: Free 【Venue Access from Nearest Station】 - Approximately 8 minutes on foot from Nijo Station (Tozai Subway Line and JR Sagano Line). *Walk straight south from the irregular five-way intersection of Senbon-Sanjo (location on map). - Starting from Shijo-Omiya, go north at the intersection of Shijo-dori and Senbon-dori. Alternatively, you can proceed towards Sanjo-dori on Gojo-dori, passing near the "Mibu Depot Station" bus stop. Address: 46-1 Mibu Goshonouchi-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8872 Contact: 090-2112-6873 Owner: Murayama ● Exhibition / Invitation ● Hidekichi Matsuda (Ryukyu Glass Artist | Contemporary Master Craftsman Awardee) - Native of Onna Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture - April 2000: Established and presides over "Fukiglass Takumi Kobo" (Blowing Glass Master Studio). Continues the business as the current representative of "(Co., Ltd.) Takumi Ryukyu Glass Takumi Kobo". - November 2025: Awarded "Contemporary Master Craftsman" by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare. ◆ Scheduled to exhibit the "Onna Blue" series, reminiscent of the sea of Onna Village, Okinawa (※) ※) Awarded the highest prize (Prefectural Governor's Award) at the Okinawa Prefectural Specialty Product Contest in 2023 | A portion of sales is donated to Onna Village's coral fund. Exhibition Message Happiness Comes from Beyond the Sea ... There was a sky, wind, and light that made you want to breathe deeply, like this old saying or story. Onna Village, Okinawa. ● Indeed, this land is a southern "paradise." Literal "benevolent (megumi) blue" and "rich green" (*) spread out. ● "Onna Blue," as if capturing that light, wind, sky—and above all, the sea—within glass vessels. ● We would like to present various works by the master of Ryukyu Glass, Mr. Hidekichi Matsuda, centered around that series, created with overflowing affection for his hometown—here in Kyoto. *) From the appeal on the official Onna Village website: https://www.vill.onna.okinawa.jp/ ※ Special Content on Onna Blue (Ryukyu Glass Takumi Kobo): https://www.takumi-kobo.com/item-onnablue/ Guidance on Benitsubaki Soleil Gallery Website / Printed Materials We will provide information on the gallery's official website and the following URLs. ◎ [Benitsubaki Soleil] Gallery Site (Top Page ⇒ https://www.benitsubaki-soleil.jp) ◆Special Exhibition Information Content https://www.benitsubaki-soleil.jp/exhibition_2026/kikaku_0501_17.html ◆ "Special Exhibition | Exhibition" Information Screen ⇒ https://www.benitsubaki-soleil.jp/exhibition.html 《Inquiries》 Please direct inquiries regarding this press release and the special exhibition to the following. Benitsubaki Soleil 46-1 Mibu Goshonouchi-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8872 090-2112-6873 Yasuka Murayama e-Mail: seika-murayama@benitsubaki-soleil.jp ◎ In addition to the Benitsubaki Soleil website (Gallery Site / Online Shop Site), please also view our various <SNS>, including the owner Yasuka 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 ● Official LINE Account ● https://line.me/R/ti/p/%40346ratpd End