Makoto Egashira's Exhibition 'When I Smell the Fragrance of the May-Waiting Tachibana' to be Held at Toranomon 'SIGNAL' Starting April 14
The social issue gallery 'SIGNAL', planned and produced by SIGNING Inc., will hold Makoto Egashira's exhibition 'When I Smell the Fragrance of the May-Waiting Tachibana' starting April 14, 2026, as its 17th signature exhibition. The artist, known for using floral blankets symbolic of post-war Japanese homes, explores themes of memory, nostalgia, and art through his unique sculptural and installation works.
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SIGNING Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Takahiro Maki; hereafter 'SIGNING'), which plans and produces the social issue gallery 'SIGNAL', will hold Makoto Egashira's exhibition 'When I Smell the Fragrance of the May-Waiting Tachibana' starting Tuesday, April 14, 2026, as Signature Exhibition vol.17.
■ About the 'When I Smell the Fragrance of the May-Waiting Tachibana' Exhibition
Makoto Egashira is a contemporary artist who covers sculptures and spaces with 'rose-patterned blankets'—a symbol of post-war Japanese households—visualizing both kitsch decorativeness and the accumulation of memories residing within. The title of this exhibition is derived from a poem in the 'Kokin Wakashu' (Collection of Japanese Poems of Ancient and Modern Times): 'When I smell the fragrance of the may-waiting tachibana (mandarin orange), it is the fragrance of the sleeves of the people of the past.' Just as the scent of tachibana blossoms evokes memories of a beloved person from long ago, the exhibition aims to intertwine one's own memories with those of others through the perception of these blankets, which evoke nostalgia in many.
Experience the world of Makoto Egashira, where familiar everyday objects are transformed into art, awakening visual, tactile, and deep-seated 'lingering scents of memory.' We invite you to experience a world gently enveloped by a sense of pleasant unease.
■ About the Artist
Makoto Egashira
Creates three-dimensional works and installations using floral blankets that have independently spread in post-war Japan as his primary material.
In 2015, he won the Special Prize at the '18th Taro Okamoto Award for Contemporary Art' for 'Jinguji Miya-gata Hachimune-zukuri,' a hearse made of styrofoam decorated with blankets. The following year, he won the Grand Prix at 'SICF17' for 'Flower Garden,' a Western-style toilet made of blankets.
Major exhibitions include 'Rokko Meets Art 2019,' 'BIWAKO Biennale 2022,' 'Roppongi Art Night 2023,' and 'Artist Project #2.09 Makoto Egashira: Dreaming Rose' at the Museum of Modern Art, Saitama.
In addition to exhibitions, he has participated with his artwork in artist YUKI's music video 'My lovely ghost,' the short film 'Kaguya by Gucci' for GUCCI, and also participated in the Tokyo Girls Collection in 2025.
■ 'When I Smell the Fragrance of the May-Waiting Tachibana' Exhibition Overview
- Period: April 14 (Wed) – May 23 (Sat)
- Opening Reception: 4/17 (Fri) 18:00-20:00
- Opening Hours: Tuesday: 10:00-20:00 (Gallery only) | Wed-Fri: 11:00-23:00 (Cafe & Gallery; bar time starts after 18:00) | Saturday: 11:00-18:00 (Cafe & Gallery) | *Closed Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays. Please check the store website or Instagram for private bookings or temporary closures.
- Admission: Free
- Location: The ParkRex TORANOMON 1F, 1-2-11 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Phone Number: 03-6205-8220
- Website: https://signing.co.jp/signal/
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signal_socialissuegallery/
- Access: 5-minute walk from Exit A2 of Toranomon Hills Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line); 3-minute walk from Exit 2a of Toranomon Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
■ Credits
- Curation: Keiichiro Tao (Tao Planning and Editorial Office)
- Research: Kazuki Okamura (SIGNING)
- Supervisor: Junshiro Kameyama, Tomoka Sugai (SIGNING)
- Producer: Honoka Kobayashi (SIGNING)
- Project Manager: Issaku Vincent (SIGNING)
■ Social Issue Gallery & Cafe 'SIGNAL'
The social issue gallery 'SIGNAL' is characterized by visitors taking on the role of both inputting and outputting information. It provides more than just an opportunity to view art exhibitions and face hidden social issues. The emotions sparked by viewing art that expresses social issues are outputted by visitors through surveys. Our company handles the aggregate of these outputs from various angles as 'signs,' refining them into ideas for solving social issues. Based on the quantitative data obtained from these surveys, we plan to conduct reports on social issues, interactive events, and joint projects with companies, organizations, and universities. Through initiatives based on real on-site research, we aim to discover undiscovered social issues and signs, striving to solve social problems regardless of their size.
Upcoming Exhibition:
April 2026: Makoto Egashira
*Exhibition periods are subject to change without notice.
■ About the 'When I Smell the Fragrance of the May-Waiting Tachibana' Exhibition
Makoto Egashira is a contemporary artist who covers sculptures and spaces with 'rose-patterned blankets'—a symbol of post-war Japanese households—visualizing both kitsch decorativeness and the accumulation of memories residing within. The title of this exhibition is derived from a poem in the 'Kokin Wakashu' (Collection of Japanese Poems of Ancient and Modern Times): 'When I smell the fragrance of the may-waiting tachibana (mandarin orange), it is the fragrance of the sleeves of the people of the past.' Just as the scent of tachibana blossoms evokes memories of a beloved person from long ago, the exhibition aims to intertwine one's own memories with those of others through the perception of these blankets, which evoke nostalgia in many.
Experience the world of Makoto Egashira, where familiar everyday objects are transformed into art, awakening visual, tactile, and deep-seated 'lingering scents of memory.' We invite you to experience a world gently enveloped by a sense of pleasant unease.
■ About the Artist
Makoto Egashira
Creates three-dimensional works and installations using floral blankets that have independently spread in post-war Japan as his primary material.
In 2015, he won the Special Prize at the '18th Taro Okamoto Award for Contemporary Art' for 'Jinguji Miya-gata Hachimune-zukuri,' a hearse made of styrofoam decorated with blankets. The following year, he won the Grand Prix at 'SICF17' for 'Flower Garden,' a Western-style toilet made of blankets.
Major exhibitions include 'Rokko Meets Art 2019,' 'BIWAKO Biennale 2022,' 'Roppongi Art Night 2023,' and 'Artist Project #2.09 Makoto Egashira: Dreaming Rose' at the Museum of Modern Art, Saitama.
In addition to exhibitions, he has participated with his artwork in artist YUKI's music video 'My lovely ghost,' the short film 'Kaguya by Gucci' for GUCCI, and also participated in the Tokyo Girls Collection in 2025.
■ 'When I Smell the Fragrance of the May-Waiting Tachibana' Exhibition Overview
- Period: April 14 (Wed) – May 23 (Sat)
- Opening Reception: 4/17 (Fri) 18:00-20:00
- Opening Hours: Tuesday: 10:00-20:00 (Gallery only) | Wed-Fri: 11:00-23:00 (Cafe & Gallery; bar time starts after 18:00) | Saturday: 11:00-18:00 (Cafe & Gallery) | *Closed Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays. Please check the store website or Instagram for private bookings or temporary closures.
- Admission: Free
- Location: The ParkRex TORANOMON 1F, 1-2-11 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Phone Number: 03-6205-8220
- Website: https://signing.co.jp/signal/
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signal_socialissuegallery/
- Access: 5-minute walk from Exit A2 of Toranomon Hills Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line); 3-minute walk from Exit 2a of Toranomon Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line)
■ Credits
- Curation: Keiichiro Tao (Tao Planning and Editorial Office)
- Research: Kazuki Okamura (SIGNING)
- Supervisor: Junshiro Kameyama, Tomoka Sugai (SIGNING)
- Producer: Honoka Kobayashi (SIGNING)
- Project Manager: Issaku Vincent (SIGNING)
■ Social Issue Gallery & Cafe 'SIGNAL'
The social issue gallery 'SIGNAL' is characterized by visitors taking on the role of both inputting and outputting information. It provides more than just an opportunity to view art exhibitions and face hidden social issues. The emotions sparked by viewing art that expresses social issues are outputted by visitors through surveys. Our company handles the aggregate of these outputs from various angles as 'signs,' refining them into ideas for solving social issues. Based on the quantitative data obtained from these surveys, we plan to conduct reports on social issues, interactive events, and joint projects with companies, organizations, and universities. Through initiatives based on real on-site research, we aim to discover undiscovered social issues and signs, striving to solve social problems regardless of their size.
Upcoming Exhibition:
April 2026: Makoto Egashira
*Exhibition periods are subject to change without notice.