Mitsuru Sakurai Holds New Solo Exhibition 'imu' at Two Venues in Shibuya and Ueno
Key facts
- Mitsuru Sakurai Holds New Solo Exhibition 'imu' at Two Venues in Shibuya and Ueno
- plana inc. will hold a new solo exhibition 'imu' by Mitsuru Sakurai starting July 10, 2026. This exhibition is a new series of self-portraits that confront fundamental questions of 'seeing/being seen' and 'existing/not existing.'
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 11, 2026
Direct answer
plana inc. will hold a new solo exhibition 'imu' by Mitsuru Sakurai starting July 10, 2026. This exhibition is a new series of self-portraits that confront fundamental questions of 'seeing/being seen' and 'existing/not existing.'
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- Mitsuru Sakurai Holds New Solo Exhibition 'imu' at Two Venues in Shibuya and Ueno (June 11, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 11, 2026
plana inc. will hold a new solo exhibition 'imu' by Mitsuru Sakurai starting July 10, 2026. This exhibition is a new series of self-portraits that confront fundamental questions of 'seeing/being seen' and 'existing/not existing.'
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- 📰 Published: June 11, 2026 at 18:50
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plana inc. (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo) will hold a new solo exhibition 'imu' by Mitsuru Sakurai starting Friday, July 10, 2026. This exhibition is a new series of self-portraits that confront fundamental questions of 'seeing/being seen' and 'existing/not existing.'
Following his early work 'Fe' and the family-themed 'BP,' Sakurai has turned his gaze back to the concept of 'self.' In this exhibition, inspired by the concept of 'hibutsu' (hidden Buddha) in Buddhist philosophy, he explores the nature of existence that changes form through observation. By layering multiple perspectives and time in his photographic expression, he presents the fluctuation of the self that exists yet cannot be fully captured.
The exhibition will be held at two venues: BAU SHIBUYA in Shibuya and Sho+1 in Ueno. The works will be displayed in different spaces, aiming to provide an opportunity for viewers to question the very act of 'seeing' itself.
Artist's Comment:
'After my early work 'Fe' and the family-themed 'BP,' I have returned to the concept of 'self.' In this work, through the nature of existence that changes form by being seen, I am examining the fluctuations that cannot be captured by a fixed self-image.'
-- Mitsuru Sakurai
Artist Profile:
Mitsuru Sakurai was born in Tokyo. He graduated from Tokyo Zokei University in 2003. That same year, he joined amana Inc. He was affiliated with Aura and worked as a retoucher from 2006. He became independent in 2011, focusing on photography for advertising, architecture, and products. In 2014, he established MSPG Studio in Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo. Since 2023, he has been a part-time lecturer at Tokyo Zokei University. Using photography as his primary medium, he continues to question the nature of 'existence' and 'self.'
Major solo exhibitions include 'Fe' (Arts Chiyoda 3331, 2020/2021) and 'BP' (Sho+1, 2022 / Kyoto Okazaki Tsutaya Books GALLERY EN, 2023). Major group exhibitions include ART FAIR TOKYO 2022 and Ginza Tsutaya Books FOAM CONTEMPORARY 'Form is Emptiness, Illusion of Reality.'
Major awards include Konica Minolta Photo Premio Winner (2002), PX3 Photo Competition Nature/Wildlife Gold Medal (2014), Graphis Photography Annual 2016 Series Gold, International Photography Awards (IPA) Professional Architecture/Industrial 1st Place (2019), and Sony World Photography Awards 2023 Professional Architecture & Design Shortlist.
Exhibition Overview:
Mitsuru Sakurai 'imu'
[Part 1]
Dates: Friday, July 10, 2026 – Sunday, July 19, 2026
Opening Hours: 12:00–18:00 (until 16:00 on the last day)
Venue: BAU SHIBUYA
Address: 1-4-22 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0041
Access: 13 min walk from JR Shibuya Station / 9 min walk from JR Harajuku Station or Tokyo Metro Meiji-jingumae Station
URL: https://www.kuwasawa.ac.jp/baushibuya.html
TEL: 090-3686-8313
[Part 2]
Dates: Friday, July 24, 2026 – Saturday, August 29, 2026
Opening Hours: 12:00–18:00
Closed: Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays. Summer closure: August 9 (Sun) – August 17 (Mon), 2026
Venue: Sho+1
Address: 1F Ueno Yokoyama Building, 1-4-8 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0005
Access: 1 min walk from Exit 6 of Yushima Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line) / 5 min walk from Exit 4 of Suehirocho Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
URL: https://shoplusone.com
TEL: 03-6280-3738
Opening Reception:
Date & Time: Thursday, July 23, 2026, 18:00–20:00
Venue: Sho+1
Organizer: plana Inc.
With the concept of 'Reflecting values that cannot be put into words,' plana Inc. engages in creative production centered on photography, video, and editing. While providing branding and PR support for corporations and cultural projects, it also undertakes independent projects and publishing activities related to artists and local culture.
Representative Director: Yuki Oshima
Established: February 2022
Location: B-217 Yushima High Town, 4-6-12 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
URL: https://www.plana.ltd/
Business: Branding and PR support, photography and video production, editing and writing, design, planning and operation of owned media
Following his early work 'Fe' and the family-themed 'BP,' Sakurai has turned his gaze back to the concept of 'self.' In this exhibition, inspired by the concept of 'hibutsu' (hidden Buddha) in Buddhist philosophy, he explores the nature of existence that changes form through observation. By layering multiple perspectives and time in his photographic expression, he presents the fluctuation of the self that exists yet cannot be fully captured.
The exhibition will be held at two venues: BAU SHIBUYA in Shibuya and Sho+1 in Ueno. The works will be displayed in different spaces, aiming to provide an opportunity for viewers to question the very act of 'seeing' itself.
Artist's Comment:
'After my early work 'Fe' and the family-themed 'BP,' I have returned to the concept of 'self.' In this work, through the nature of existence that changes form by being seen, I am examining the fluctuations that cannot be captured by a fixed self-image.'
-- Mitsuru Sakurai
Artist Profile:
Mitsuru Sakurai was born in Tokyo. He graduated from Tokyo Zokei University in 2003. That same year, he joined amana Inc. He was affiliated with Aura and worked as a retoucher from 2006. He became independent in 2011, focusing on photography for advertising, architecture, and products. In 2014, he established MSPG Studio in Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo. Since 2023, he has been a part-time lecturer at Tokyo Zokei University. Using photography as his primary medium, he continues to question the nature of 'existence' and 'self.'
Major solo exhibitions include 'Fe' (Arts Chiyoda 3331, 2020/2021) and 'BP' (Sho+1, 2022 / Kyoto Okazaki Tsutaya Books GALLERY EN, 2023). Major group exhibitions include ART FAIR TOKYO 2022 and Ginza Tsutaya Books FOAM CONTEMPORARY 'Form is Emptiness, Illusion of Reality.'
Major awards include Konica Minolta Photo Premio Winner (2002), PX3 Photo Competition Nature/Wildlife Gold Medal (2014), Graphis Photography Annual 2016 Series Gold, International Photography Awards (IPA) Professional Architecture/Industrial 1st Place (2019), and Sony World Photography Awards 2023 Professional Architecture & Design Shortlist.
Exhibition Overview:
Mitsuru Sakurai 'imu'
[Part 1]
Dates: Friday, July 10, 2026 – Sunday, July 19, 2026
Opening Hours: 12:00–18:00 (until 16:00 on the last day)
Venue: BAU SHIBUYA
Address: 1-4-22 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0041
Access: 13 min walk from JR Shibuya Station / 9 min walk from JR Harajuku Station or Tokyo Metro Meiji-jingumae Station
URL: https://www.kuwasawa.ac.jp/baushibuya.html
TEL: 090-3686-8313
[Part 2]
Dates: Friday, July 24, 2026 – Saturday, August 29, 2026
Opening Hours: 12:00–18:00
Closed: Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays. Summer closure: August 9 (Sun) – August 17 (Mon), 2026
Venue: Sho+1
Address: 1F Ueno Yokoyama Building, 1-4-8 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0005
Access: 1 min walk from Exit 6 of Yushima Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line) / 5 min walk from Exit 4 of Suehirocho Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
URL: https://shoplusone.com
TEL: 03-6280-3738
Opening Reception:
Date & Time: Thursday, July 23, 2026, 18:00–20:00
Venue: Sho+1
Organizer: plana Inc.
With the concept of 'Reflecting values that cannot be put into words,' plana Inc. engages in creative production centered on photography, video, and editing. While providing branding and PR support for corporations and cultural projects, it also undertakes independent projects and publishing activities related to artists and local culture.
Representative Director: Yuki Oshima
Established: February 2022
Location: B-217 Yushima High Town, 4-6-12 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
URL: https://www.plana.ltd/
Business: Branding and PR support, photography and video production, editing and writing, design, planning and operation of owned media
FAQ
When is Mitsuru Sakurai's new solo exhibition 'imu'?
Part 1 is from July 10 to July 19, 2026 at BAU SHIBUYA in Shibuya, and Part 2 is from July 24 to August 29, 2026 at Sho+1 in Ueno.
Where is the 'imu' exhibition held?
It is held at two venues: BAU SHIBUYA (1-4-22 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) and Sho+1 (1-4-8 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo).
Who is the organizer?
The organizer is plana inc. (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo).