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 Period : Friday, March 20 to Friday, April 10, 2026
Application form is under preparation
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One work per person (must be an unpublished piece).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
Tuesday, April 10, 2026
*Works must arrive at the International Sumi-e Association Headquarters between March 20 and April 10.
*Application form is under preparation.
７．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.
８．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.
９．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).
10．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
11．Payment Details
<Net-banking>
Financial institution code: 9900
Store number: 019
Deposit type: Checking account (Toza)
Store name: 019 store
Account number: 0559342
*For international payments, please use direct bank transfer, Wise, or PayPal.