ZENetic Computer
2003–2004
An important early work created during Tosa’s time at MIT, presenting Japanese sansui aesthetics and Zen within an international research environment.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Exhibition basis: Presented within the international research environment centered on MIT CAVS and the MIT Museum. Cultural diplomacy basis: An important early work introducing sansui and Zen abroad.
Sansui Ink Painting
2011
A work that translates the format of traditional sansui painting into contemporary expression.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Cultural basis: Listed in the Timeline as a work that reinterprets the format of sansui in contemporary expression. It carries the context of presenting sansui culture internationally.
MU: Nothingness
2011
A work that translates the Zen concept of “mu” (nothingness) into contemporary form.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Cultural basis: A work centered on the Zen concept of “mu,” crossing calligraphy and sculptural expression. It presents Japanese spiritual culture through contemporary form.
Scroll: Asian Charms
2011
A work presenting Asian symbolic systems in the format of a hanging scroll.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Cultural basis: A work using the hanging scroll format to present Asian symbolic systems. It connects to the international presentation of Japanese and Asian culture.
Pure Water
2011
A work visualizing the Shinto sense of purity through an offering stand, washi paper, and text, situated within an international exhibition context.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Presentation basis: Art Stage Singapore 2012. Cultural basis: Visualizes the Shinto concept of purity through an offering stand, washi paper, and text.
Sansui Silhouette Summer & Fall
2011
A work translating the format of Eastern sansui into light, material, and space.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Cultural basis: A work connecting Eastern and Western culture while referencing Sesshū’s seasonal sansui and the visual philosophy of the “three distances.”
Asian Saint / Under Water Sansui with Four Gods
2011–2012
A work presenting the Four Gods and sansui within an international exhibition context, connected to EXPO 2012 Korea.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Presentation basis: Connected to the EXPO 2012 Korea Digital Gallery. Cultural basis: Presents the Four Gods and sansui within the context of international exhibition.
KABUKI-MONO
2012
A work translating Kabuki bodily expression and style into a contemporary form.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Cultural basis: A work translating Kabuki bodily expression and style into a contemporary idiom. Positioned as an international presentation of traditional performing arts.
Sanctuary / Silence
2013
A digital photographic work dedicated to Kenninji Temple, presenting Japanese spirituality rooted in Zen and Shinto.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Dedication basis: Part of Japanese Sanctuary dedicated to Kenninji Temple. Cultural basis: Presents the spirituality of Zen and Shinto through digital photography.
Sansui Above the Clouds
2013
A 12-scroll work dedicated to Kenninji Temple, composing digital photographs of clouds into sansui through the principle of the “three distances.”
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Dedication basis: A set of 12 hanging scrolls dedicated to Kenninji Temple. Structural basis: Digital photographs of clouds are composed as sansui through the Eastern perspective method of the “three distances” (high distance, level distance, deep distance).
Sound of Ikebana Four Seasons
2013–2014
A representative work presenting the sensibility of Japan’s four seasons, prayer, and ikebana in an international context.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Exhibition basis: ArtScience Museum (2013–14) and international screenings. Cultural diplomacy basis: A representative work presenting Japan’s four seasons, prayer, and ikebana to the world.
Space Flower Series
2014
A work presenting the formal language of Japanese painting through high-speed photography and digital expression, as an homage to Rimpa.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Cultural basis: Re-presents the formal language of Japanese painting through high-speed photography and digital expression as an homage to Rimpa.
Wind God and Thunder God
2014
A work translating the classical Rimpa theme of Wind God and Thunder God into contemporary moving image.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Cultural basis: Reinterprets the classical motif of Wind God and Thunder God through contemporary video. It rereads iconic imagery from Japanese art history in an international context.
Rimpa School 400th Anniversary | Projection Mapping
2015
A large-scale presentation of Japan’s visual cultural heritage in the context of the 400th anniversary of Rimpa.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Presentation basis: Projection mapping for the 400th anniversary of Rimpa (Kyoto National Museum). Cultural diplomacy basis: A large-scale international presentation of Japan’s visual cultural heritage.
TOSA RIMPA
2015
A work re-presenting the lineage of Japanese painting through contemporary expression.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Cultural basis: A series that develops the lineage of Rimpa into contemporary expression, showing continuity and reinterpretation within Japanese art history.
Opening of the Tale of the Heike “The Sound of the Bell of Gion Shōja”
2015
A work translating the Buddhist sense of impermanence in the opening lines of The Tale of the Heike into visual and auditory expression.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Cultural basis: Translates the sense of impermanence in the opening of The Tale of the Heike into visual and auditory expression. It presents Japanese classical literature internationally.
Opening of the Tale of the Heike “The Sound of the Bell of Gion Shōja”
Renjishi
2016
A work translating the physicality and symbolism of Kabuki into contemporary moving image.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Cultural basis: Translates the physicality and symbolism of Kabuki into contemporary video. It re-presents Japanese traditional performing arts.
Invisible Beauty: Fuku
2018
A work presenting Japanese festivity and spirituality in Hong Kong.
Notes (Exhibitions, Awards, Scholarly Context)
Exhibition basis: Presented in Hong Kong, connected to Whitestone Gallery Hong Kong. Cultural basis: Internationally presents festivity and spirituality.