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Rinzai — Kousuke Shimasaki: Photobook Launch and Artist Talks

🗓️ Program Details

  • Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026

  • Time: Part 1: 15:00~ Author’s Talk 

  • Time: Part 2: 18:00~ Designer’s Talk

  • Language: Japanese (with English supplementary information as needed)

  • Admission: Free

📖 About the Program

This special two-part program celebrates the launch of Kousuke Shimasaki's new photobook, "Rinzai," exploring the work from the distinct perspectives of both the artist and the designer.

Part 1: Author’s Talk (15:00 ~) This work, "Rinzai," is an attempt to explore, through photography, the presence of beings behind what is visible. The starting point for its creation was the experience of finding a single rose blooming on the balcony on the day my beloved dog, which the artist kept at his parents' house, passed away. That event sparked a strong interest in the presence of life and spirit residing in nature. In this project, Shimasaki explores the flow of intangible realities such as time, space, and spirit through photography, using the presence of life and traces of existence quietly residing in landscapes as clues. In this talk, the artist will introduce the ideological background, production process, and photobook creation.

Part 2: Designer’s Talk (18:00 ~) Featuring Yuri Inoue, who handled the book design, this session will provide a detailed review of the production process for "Rinzai," focusing on 10 key points: ① Creating a documentary feel ② Focusing on a worldview rather than individuality ③ Binding ④ Paper ⑤ Color ⑥ Japanese/English design ⑦ Typography ⑧ The use of white space and rhythm ⑨ The colophon ⑩ What I want to achieve as a designer These points are not limited to this work; I pay the same attention to them in all my other design work. On the day of the session, I also plan to touch briefly on the design of "ANTHOLOGY 1," which Anne Murayama published in March.

🎤 About the Artists

Kousuke Shimasaki (Rinzai’s Author)

Born 1997 in Kochi Prefecture, a photographer based in Tokyo and Kochi. Focusing on the "cycle of immaterial entities," he attempts to express the flow of time, space, and spirit—things not directly visible—through photography. His experience of finding a single rose blooming on the balcony on the day his beloved dog died sparked a strong interest in animistic thought. Since then, he has created works that evoke a sense of reverence for nature, the preciousness of life, and its transience.

Yuri Inoue (Rinzai’s Designer)

Born 1985 in Tokyo Prefecture, after gaining extensive experience in graphic design at a design firm, she became independent in 2019. She works as a freelance designer, primarily focusing on print media such as magazines, catalogs, and books. While mainly working on client projects, she has recently been actively involved in zine production, exhibitions, and event participation, expanding her scope of work. She met Anne Murayama of Ephemere at a zine event in Harajuku and has since been involved as a designer in several of her projects.

📌 Guidelines

  • Capacity: Strictly limited to 10 seats per program. 

  • Seating Policy: First-come, first-served. No advance reservations required.

  • Drink Policy: Guests are kindly encouraged to purchase one drink at the 1st-floor register before heading up to the 2nd-floor gallery space.

  • Book Sales: Selected photobooks are available for purchase. Please handle all payments at the 1st-floor cafe register.

  • Venue: Ogawa Coffee Sakaimachi Nishiki Branch (2F Gallery Space).

✉️ Inquiries

For any questions regarding this program, please contact Anne Murayama directly:

  • Instagram DM: @ephemere.tokyo or @anne.murayama

  • Email: anne@ephemere.tokyo

  • Phone: 090-1915-1125

⚠️ Please refrain from calling or inquiring with the Ogawa Coffee cafe staff regarding event details.

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April 18

「頁の群れ」 The Ephemere Photobook Exhibition