Kyoto University of Art and Design (Sakyo-ward, Kyoto/ President Kazuo Oike), D&Department (CEO Kenmei Nagaoka) and the religious organization Shinshu Bukkoji-ha (President Ryoichi Sasaki) has collaborated to open D&Department, a select shop under the theme of “long life design” inside Honzan Bukko-ji temple at 11:00am on Saturday, November 29.

An exhibition commemorating its launch will feature hanafuda cards (by Ooishi Tengudou), introducing its unique history and charm (from Nov. 23-Dec. 9). A hanafuda tournament will be held during the exhibition.

“Long life design” literally means a design which life will last for long time, or in other words, a universal design that will not die out according to the times or be affected by trends. Just like other previous stores, D&Department Kyoto will carry items selected from all over Japan without limitations on age, brand, whether it’s new or used, reconsidering functionality and design of the object itself. The 99 square meter wagosho building inside Honzan Bukko-ji temple was renovated for the shop with more than 400 items including food products and publications, making this shop a department store of long life design. The shop will explore and introduce traditional art and crafts, local industries and local long life designs, while inviting artisans and artists for workshops and talk events to re-discover the uniqueness of Kyoto and to spread its appeal. There will be a gallery and space for Kyoto tourist information, making it more than just a store but a place where various design movements are seen. Formerly a tearoom used for morning sermons and as a local community space, at “d Dining”, visitors can enjoy Japanese dishes cooked with local seasonal ingredients or Japanese tea and coffee. Other food events will be planned to make this a space where people can interact through food.

D&Department is a project by Kenmei Nagaoka (Professor at Kyoto University of Art and Design), who opened its first shop in Okuzawa, Tokyo, 2000. In order to promote local designs of each area while having a real shop, the project begun with finding a local partner and location in each of the 47 Japanese prefectures. Kyoto will be the 10th shop following Osaka, Sapporo, Shizuoka, Kagoshima, Okinawa, Yamanashi, Fukuoka, and Seoul Korea. The Kyoto project launched in May 2014 along with students at Kyoto University of Art and Design, researching long life design and searching for new products.

The entire process, from negotiation with selected manufacturers and shop set up, planning and gallery event organizing, was carried out the students. In August, a study group “an easy-to-understand Temple” was held, inviting a priest from Bukko-ji temple, to reconsider the significance of opening a shop inside a temple. This is the first time that a “temple” and a “university” have cooperated to run a commercial project, spreading the attraction of regional areas through design. It is gaining attention for being a new model of design education and a new way of evaluating things through the transformation of religious establishments for the future.

D&Department Kyoto is located inside Honzan Bukko-ji temple at 397 Shinkai-cho, Shimogyo ward, Kyoto. Business hours are from 11:00am to 6:00pm (open until 8:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays), and closed every Wednesday. An exhibition where a team of students researched the history and charm of hanafuda cards by “Ooishi Tengudo”, a well-established manufacturer of traditional Japanese playing cards founded in 1800, “Akayoroshi Hanafuda –Let’s Learn about hanafuda Culture of Kyoto” will run from Saturday, November 29 to Tuesday, December 9, commemorating the launch of the shop (free admission.) A hanafuda card tournament will be held twice on Sunday, December 7, from 2:00pm-3:00pm and 4:00-5:30pm. The entry fee is 500 yen and limited to 12 people per game. To join the tournament, please contact http://www.d-department.com or staff at the shop.

The first opening exhibition features hanafuda cards by “Ooishi Tengudo”, a well-established manufacturer of traditional Japanese playing cards founded in 1800. Hanafuda is a traditional Japanese card game. The fascinating patterns designed on the card represent the four seasons of Japan. This exhibition will introduce its unique history and charm.
A hanafuda tournament will be held during the exhibition period. The rules will be explained in an easy-to-understand manner for beginners who know about the game but have never played it. This is the first project operated by students of Kyoto university of Art and Design.


【Related events】
Akayoroshi Hanafuda –Let’s Learn about hanafuda Culture of Kyoto
Saturday, November 23 – Tuesday, December 9
Free Admission

d Hanafuda Tournament 1 –Hanafuda for Beginners
Sunday, December 7 *First Game 2:00-3:00pm *Second Game 4:00-5:30pm
Limited to 12 people per game
Participation Fee 500 yen *Please apply in advance online or at the shop.
Next Project- “Raising Blades – Utensil Knives Born in Kyoto”, 12/11-12/23