The ground floor Garage space at INTERSECT BY LEXUS – TOKYO will host an exhibition of Byaku, an incredible kirie Japanese paper cutting sculpture by acclaimed artist Nahoko Kojima. Made entirely by hand from a single sheet of Japanese washi paper, Byaku (meaning “white” in Japanese) is a meticulously crafted life-sized polar bear sculpture that took a painstaking seven months to complete.

Nahoko Kojima is one of the key characters in Takumi: A 60,000 hour story on the survival of human craft, a new documentary from LEXUS that offers fascinating insights into the mindset of Takumi, the very pinnacle of artisanship in Japan. The film is available online from March 19th and will also be shown at the Garage while her artwork is on display. The film examines the idea that it takes 60,000 hours to reach the very highest levels of craftsmanship, which is extraordinary when in the West it’s often considered it takes 10,000 hours of study for the average person to become an expert in their subject.

How do we honor and protect human craft when technology is advancing so rapidly? Will human craftsmanship disappear as artificial intelligence reaches beyond our limits? Or will this cornerstone of our culture survive and become more valuable than ever? These are the compelling questions the documentary explores through the lens of four remarkable Japanese artisans.

Guests can also experience Nahoko Kojima’s craftsmanship firsthand at a paper cutting art workshop which will be run by the artist herself.

Visit INTERSECT BY LEXUS to experience this breathtaking art on display and join her interactive workshop.


■ Exhibition Period: March 17th – April 23rd, 2019


■ Paper Cutting Art Workshop by Nahoko Kojima
Date: March 18th, 2019 / 14:00–16:00
Venue: INTERSECT BY LEXUS – TOKYO
Participants: 8
Participation Fee: 1,000 yen (including 1 drink)
Application Period: February 28th – March 11th (until 17:00)
Applications are accepted only during the period above.
In case of applications exceeding capacity, applicants will be selected by lot.
The workshop will be conducted in Japanese only.
Successful applicants will be notified by email around March 12th.
Photographs may be taken of participants during the workshop.