The 25th International Sumi-e Association Exhibition
“U-23 Sumi-e Division” Application Guidelines
To look ahead to the future of Japanese Sumi-e and pass this traditional art on to the next generation.
Application Deadline : Friday, April 10, 2026
Application form is now open
Please read the application guidelines carefully before applying.
Schedule
June 10 (Wed)- 22 (Mon), 2026
*Closed on June 16 (Tue)
10:00 to 18:00 *Ends at 14:00 on final day
Admission
Free
Supporters
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Agency for Cultural Affairs, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, The Asahi Shimbun Company, Boku-un-do, China Academy of Art, The Xiling Seal Art Society(The above supported the 24th Exhibition)
Participating Countries/Regions
Japan, Asia, Europe, Australia, North and South America, Africa, etc.
Venue
2F Gallery A, The National Art Center, Tokyo (7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Host
International Sumi-e Association
Judges
-KATORI Kinsui (Sumi-e painter and International Sumi-e Association chairperson)
-ISHIZAKA Miho (Sumi-e painter, Gongbi painter and International Sumi-e Association Vice Chairperson)
Prize
International Sumi-e Association Exhibition “U-23 Sumi-e” Grand prize, Second prize
*All selected works will be exhibited at venue of National Art Center, Tokyo
Submission Regulations
１．Eligibility
- As of April 10, 2026, applicants must be junior-high-school graduates and under 23 years of age.
*Submit a copy of an ID that verifies your U-23 status (student ID, health insurance card, driver’s license, etc.).
- No nationality restrictions.
２．Number of work
One work per person (must be an unpublished piece).
３. Entry Fee
3,000 yen (tax included)
４．Size/paper
Use Sumi-e or calligraphy paper (gassen-shi, hemp paper, Chinese paper) in F5 size (34.5 cm × 27 cm) or 1/5 hansetsu size.
５．Theme
- Theme: Free
*Copying works by others is not allowed.
*Write your name in ink and stamp with your artist seal.
*If you do not have an artist seal, you may send your work with just your name; the association will stamp it with a seal we have.
６．Application Deadline
Friday, April 10, 2026
*Works must arrive at the International Sumi-e Association Headquarters between March 20 and April 10.
７．How to apply
【１】Fill out the application form.
【２】Submit your work.
- The submission period is from Friday, March 20 to Friday, April 10, 2026.
- Please enclose a piece of paper listing your full name and the title of the work (the format does not matter) and send it to the designated address by mail or bring it to the Shibuya classroom.
【３】Calculate the total amount for the entry fee and catalog (if ordered) and transfer it to the specified account by April 10, 2026.
*For international payments, please use a direct bank transfer, PayPal, or Wise.
※If you have difficulty applying online, please contact us through the inquiry form.
８．Return of work
- After the exhibition, works will be removed from frames and returned with backing paper.
*For overseas entries, shipping costs will be billed later.
- If not selected, notification will be sent and works returned by April 25, 2026.
９．Display, etc.
- Grand Prize, Second Prize, and all selected works will be exhibited.
- Every effort will be made to protect submitted works, but the association is not responsible for accidents caused by force majeure.
- No objections regarding the results of judging or the display method will be accepted.
10．Catalog
- All selected works of the International Sumi-e Association Exhibition, including the U23 section, will be featured (color printing). 1 copy: 2,200 yen (tax included).
11．Shipping Address
The International Sumi-e Association
The 25th International Sumi-e Association Exhibition
U-23 Division Work Application Section
1-33-8 Unane Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-0068
TEL: 03-5727-2282 / FAX: 03-3749-7233 / Contact (Mobile): 070-4114-9912
Email address: support@sumi-e.or.jp
12．Payment Details
- Please calculate the total amount for the entry fee, and catalog (if ordered) and transfer it to the following account by the submission deadline.
*For international payments, please use a direct bank transfer, PayPal, or Wise.
[Bank Account]
1)Bank Name : MIZUHO BANK, LTD.
2)Swift Code : MHCBJPJT
3)Branch Name : Tamagawa BRANCH
4)Deposit Type : FUTSU
5)Beneficiary's Account No. : 613-1199404
6)Beneficiary Name : IPPANSYADANHOUJIN KOKUSAISUMIEKAI
[Pay Pal]
Please specify the email address below.
e-mail address : support@sumi-e.or.jp
account: 香取妙子
[Transfer Wise]
1) BANK NAME : MIZUHO BANK, LTD.
2) SWIFT CODE : MHCBJPJT
3) BRANCH NAME : Tamagawa BRANCH
4) ACCOUNT TYPE : futsuu
5) ACCOUNT NO. : 6131199404
6) BENEFICIARY NAME : IPPANSYADANHOUJIN KOKUSAISUMIEKAI
※Name in Katakana : イッパンシャダンホウジンコクサイスミエカイ
7) MAIL ADDRESS : support@sumi-e.or.jp
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