Notable Artists Currently Active in Osaka

Kohei Nawa

Medium: Sculpture, installation, mixed media
Overview: Born in Osaka in 1975, Kohei Nawa is a globally recognized contemporary artist known for his innovative use of materials and technology.
He studied at Kyoto City University of Arts but maintains strong ties to Osaka, where he bases much of his work.
Notable Works: His “PixCell” series, featuring taxidermied animals coated in glass beads, and large-scale installations like “Foam” explore themes of perception and materiality.
Current Activity: Nawa operates Sandwich Inc., a creative platform in Osaka, and frequently exhibits at venues like ARTCOURT Gallery. His work was featured in Osaka Art & Design 2024, signaling ongoing activity in the city. Represented at international art fairs (e.g., Art Basel) and collected by major museums like MoMA, he’s a leading figure in Japan’s contemporary art scene.

Miyako Ishiuchi

Medium: Photography Overview: Born in 1947, Ishiuchi is an acclaimed photographer who has lived and worked in Osaka at various points. While she’s now based in Tokyo, her influence resonates in Osaka through exhibitions like those at The Third Gallery Aya.
Notable Works: Her “Hiroshima” series, photographing objects from atomic bomb victims, won the 50th Mainichi Art Award.
Current Activity: She remains active, with recent exhibitions in Japan and abroad, and her work is tied to Osaka’s photography community through local galleries.
A pioneer in contemporary Japanese photography, her emotionally charged works have global recognition.

Chiharu Shiota

Medium: Installation art
Overview: Born in Osaka in 1972, Shiota is known for her intricate web-like installations using threads and everyday objects. Though she has lived in Berlin since 1997, her roots in Osaka and frequent exhibitions in Japan keep her connected to the city.
Notable Works: “The Key in the Hand” (Venice Biennale 2015) and installations at YOD Gallery in Osaka.
Current Activity: She continues to exhibit worldwide, with recent shows in Japan, including Kansai, reinforcing her Osaka ties.
Her immersive, thought-provoking installations have earned her international acclaim.

Noriyuki Haraguchi

Medium: Conceptual art, sculpture
Overview: A key figure in Japan’s Mono-ha movement, Haraguchi (born 1946) is based in Osaka and remains active in the contemporary scene.
Notable Works: “Matter and Mind,” a steel pool filled with waste oil, catapulted him into Western art circles.
Current Activity: His works are exhibited at ARTCOURT Gallery in Osaka, where he continues to push boundaries with industrial materials.
His pioneering role in Mono-ha and international museum presence cement his reputation.

Altz (DJ/Producer)

Medium: Music (electronic, experimental)
Overview: Based in Osaka, Altz is a prominent DJ, producer, and founder of Altz Records, known for his eclectic, genre-defying soundscapes.
Notable Works: Releases like those with Idjut Boys and his finger-snapping guitar style have a cult following.
Current Activity: He performs regularly in Osaka’s underground music venues and releases music through his label, maintaining a strong local presence. A fixture in Osaka’s dance music scene, he’s celebrated by global “music freaks” for his innovative style.

Aikawa Nanase

Medium: Music (rock, pop)
Overview: Born in Osaka in 1975, this singer-songwriter debuted in 1995 and has sold over 12 million records.
Notable Works: Hits like “Yume Miru Shoujo ja Irarenai” and her 30th-anniversary performances in 2025.
Current Activity: She’s performing at events like Japan Expo Paris in Osaka 2025 and remains a cultural icon in her hometown.
Her massive commercial success and influence on J-pop make her a household name.

Sayuri Ikake

Medium: Visual arts (multidisciplinary)
Overview: Born in Osaka in 1990, Ikake is an emerging artist now based in Shigaraki but tied to Osaka’s creative roots.
Notable Works: Her works have been exhibited in Tokyo, Paris, and Hong Kong, blending traditional techniques with modern themes.
Current Activity: Active in Japan’s contemporary art scene, with Osaka as a key influence on her early career.
Her rising star status and international exhibitions mark her as a talent to watch.

These artists represent a snapshot of Osaka’s creative vitality, blending
global influence with local flavor. For the most current details on their activities, checking local event listings, gallery schedules, or their social media is recommended, as their presence in Osaka can shift with projects and exhibitions.

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Subject: Fujita House
Project: Brand Development for Historical Site Reconstruction

Phase 1. Definition
Chapter 8. Understanding Osaka: Notable Artists

"Living National Treasures" (人間国宝, Ningen Kokuhō) is an informal term for individuals certified as Preservers of Important Intangible Cultural Properties under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. These are artists and craftspeople recognized by the Japanese government for their exceptional mastery of traditional performing arts or crafts, preserving skills deemed of high historical or artistic value.

Below, I’ll focus on notable Living National Treasures currently or historically active in Osaka, based on their residence, work, or significant contributions to the city’s cultural scene as of March 30, 2025.

Living National Treasures in Osaka

The designation is limited to a maximum of 116 individuals at any time, with new appointments only occurring when a vacancy arises. While not all Living National Treasures are based in Osaka (many are in Tokyo, Kyoto, or other regions), some have strong ties to the city through their work, heritage, or ongoing activities. Here are notable examples:

Ōsaka Hiromichi (1937–) Category: Woodworking (Mokuga)
Overview: Recognized as a Living National Treasure in 1997, Ōsaka Hiromichi is a master woodworker known for his intricate inlay techniques (mokuga), using materials like tin, ivory, and rare woods to create decorative objects.

Yoshida Minosuke V (1971–) Category: Kabuki (Performing Arts)
Overview: Designated a Living National Treasure in 2020, Yoshida Minosuke V is a kabuki actor specializing in onnagata roles (female characters). Born into the Yoshida family of actors, he carries forward a lineage tied to Kansai’s theatrical traditions.

Nakagawa Kenzō (1947–) Category: Metalworking (Forging)
Overview: Certified as a Living National Treasure in 2003, Nakagawa Kenzō is a master swordsmith who forges traditional Japanese blades using ancient tamahagane steel techniques.

Bunraku Performers (Various) Category: Bunraku (Puppet Theater)
Overview: Bunraku, originating in Osaka in the late 16th century, has
produced multiple Living National Treasures, including puppeteers
(ningyō tsukai), narrators (tayū), and shamisen players. Bunraku is synonymous with Osaka, performed at venues like the National Theatre
Centre and Dotonbori Museum Namikiza. Living National Treasures
in this field are inherently linked to the city. Status: Several are active,
with new designations possible as veterans retire.
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Notable Artists

Below is a selection of notable artists known to be active in or closely tied to Osaka as of March 30, 2025. These individuals span multiple disciplines—visual arts, music, performance, and design—and have gained recognition locally, nationally, or internationally.

Kohei Nawa
Miyako Ishiuchi
Chiharu Shiota
Noriyuki Haraguchi
Altz (DJ/Producer)
Aikawa Nanase
Sayuri Ikake