Katsuno Makoto Sculpture: Memoria of the Earth

The materials give the exhibition its local character. Katsuno used Amakusa porcelain stone and Minamata clay, while a resident-participation project in Tsunagi, begun in 2010, brought people together to dig local earth, build kilns and fire work. His account of repeatedly firing porcelain, then carving its transformed surface and adding lacquer colour, offers a way to look closely at how a figure has been made. The exhibition introduction illustrates the standing figure 生 (2026), figure studies I and II (2021), a 2026 figure croquis and the old-tree drawing 一里塚の老樹 (2026). Compare the drawn line with the volume and surface of the sculpture: this is a chance to follow one artist’s movement between observation, material and human form, alongside his relationship with a place.

Reservation

Not confirmed

Tickets / booking

General admission is ¥1,000, or ¥500 when paying with Kumamon!Pay. Students and younger visitors, people aged 65 or over and disability-certificate holders receive concessions, but the gallery does not publish the amounts. Ask Higo no Satoyama Gallery about the price that applies to you. The 10 October artist talk starts at 13:30, lasts about an hour and requires exhibition admission; no advance application is needed.

Price note

General admission ¥1,000; Kumamon!Pay ¥500. Student, age-65+ and disability-certificate concessions: ask the gallery for the applicable amount.

Access

The gallery is on the first floor of Higo Bank’s headquarters at 1 Renpeicho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, on the RKK-street side. Use Karashimacho tram stop or Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal as the named public-transport approaches, then head to the bank headquarters and its gallery entrance. The exhibition closes at 16:30, so leave time to look around before returning to the tram or bus terminal.

Rain

The sculpture and drawing exhibition is indoors. You can place this gallery visit between outdoor parts of a Kumamoto day, while allowing for the street approach from the tram stop or bus terminal. Sunday and public-holiday closures still apply.

Crowds

The remaining 10 October talk takes place in the gallery with Katsuno discussing the works and their making. The notice does not state a capacity or a place-allocation rule, so no advance application does not ensure a place on arrival. The 10 August talk, 29 August demonstration and 12 September cross-talk are past programmes, not additional upcoming choices.

Nearby spots

The gallery’s lobby also has a permanent digital museum showing Kumamoto’s cultural heritage through high-resolution imagery. It gives the visit another view of the region, but is separate from Katsuno’s temporary sculpture exhibition.

Itinerary hint

Start with the relationship between local earth and the Tsunagi community project, then compare the figures and drawings through their surfaces and lines. For the final talk, plan around 13:30 on 10 October; for a regular visit, choose an open day within the exhibition period. Higo Bank’s current exhibition page carries the programme, and the gallery’s visitor-information page gives access and admission details. For concession amounts or same-day talk arrangements, contact the gallery on 096-326-7800.