upVernissage on April 3rd (Thursday) from 6pm to 9pm
In collaboration with ZUSHIYA
Shōjō – 27.6 × 39.0 × 18.6 cm, wood. Photo: courtesy of ZUSHIYA.
OGATA presents with ZUSHIYA a series of exhibitions entitled HAKO, devoted to the Japanese culture of containers, receptacles and other boxes with a spiritual dimension. In Japanese, the generic term hako refers to various boxes for everyday use, but more generally to receptacles whose contents are not necessarily material: they can thus house precious objects as well as religious figurines, flowers or simply our thoughts or spirits. By revisiting this ancestral culture supported by elaborate craftsmanship, OGATA and ZUSHIYA call for a creative and renewed use of these devices, essential in the daily pursuit of spirituality in Japan.
In this first edition, an original collection of wooden receptacles inspired by the traditional craftsmanship of boxes but also by the various forms of Japanese Buddhist altars is offered for the first time to the Parisian public. These receptacles, of various sizes and shapes, are not only a place to store things, but also a way to frame, shelter and sometimes hide cherished objects. In other words, they are spiritual receptacles that can house our thoughts and emotions, encouraging a contemplative attitude and offering a focal point, a pillar to rest on, in our daily living space.
Also on display is a unique collection of figurines made by leading contemporary Japanese artists, perpetuating Buddhist iconography but freed from their traditional use. A new embodiment of serenity, another expression of a generous relationship of coexistence with nature and with others…
About ZUSHIYA
Zushiya is a Japanese brands shop based in Tokyo that offers a contemporary reinterpretation of the zushi — small traditional cabinets designed to house sacred objects, such as Buddhist statues or family heirlooms. With a refined aesthetic and deep respect for artisanal craftsmanship, Zushiya brings new meaning to these vessels of reflection in modern life.
In collaboration with artisans from the Aizu region, an area in northern Japan celebrated for its centuries-old lacquerware tradition, ZUSHIYA creates zushi that are understated, sensitive, and serene. Each piece becomes a personal sanctuary — discreet yet present — in which to place a thought, a memory, or simply a quiet moment.
Neither strictly religious nor merely decorative, the zushi sits at the intersection of design, craftsmanship, and intimacy. It opens a space for calm and remembrance — a vital pause in the rhythm of daily life.