Stairway in the Void
Under the theme, "Stairway in the Void," which is based on Buddhist philosophy, the sculptor Minoru Togashi has been unveiling his work to the world for over 40 years. His public art harmonizes with people's lives as he has always hoped that people would look, touch, and feel his sculptures. They continue to impress and convey a sense of peacefulness to viewers. Much of his work can be seen throughout his hometown of Tsuruoka, blending in with its natural scenery, which has been an inspiration for the artist.
Sculptor
Minoru Togashi
Profile
| 1931 | Born in Tsuruoka (former Kushibiki), Yamagata Prefecture |
| 1948 | Studied Buddhist sculpture under the Buddhist sculptor Hakuun Sakuma in Ichinoseki, Iwate Prefecture |
| 1957 | Graduated from the sculpture division of Kyoto Municipal College of Art (currently Kyoto City University of Arts) |
| 1963 | Participated in the Yugoslavia International Sculptor's Symposium as a representative of Japan |
| 1964 | Started the "Stairway in the Void" series |
| 1967 | Awarded the grand prize in the Mainichi Fine-arts Contest for foreign students, funded by the French government. |
| 1968 | Studied at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux Art in Paris as a French government scholarship recipient |
| Awarded the grand prize in a congratulatory letter contest held by the French government | |
| 1974 | Became Managing Director of Kyoto Seian Women's College |
| 1992 | Awarded the Kyoto Prefecture Culture Prize |
| 1993 | Appointed as Dean of Seian University of Art and Design |
| 1996 | Awarded the Kyoto Art and Culture Prize and the Kyoto City Prize for Contribution to Culture |
| 1999 | Awarded the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon |
| Present | Kyoto City Prize for Contribution to Culture |
| Professor emeritus of Seian University of Art and Design | |
| Honorary citizen of Tsuruoka City | |
| Resides in Kyoto |
動画コーナー
Watch an interview with Minoru Togashi, courtesy of Tsuruoka Cable Television.
エリア紹介
Introduction to all Minoru Togashi's public art display areas. Please select an area.
富樫実作品の展示室へ
The entire collection, consisting of more than 150 pieces, was donated to Tsuruoka City by the sculptor Minoru Togashi, who is an honorary citizen of the city. Because Mr. Togashi would like people to be able to see, touch, and experience his works in everyday-life surroundings, Tsuruoka City provides the pieces from the collection on loan, free of charge, to its citizens.