Artist Tour | “Kawaii” Exhibition with Sebastian Masuda

Sebastian Masuda, the pioneer of kawaii (cute or adorable) culture, is returning to Los Angeles one last time before the exhibition ends to lead an exclusive and rare “Yes, KAWAII is Art -EXPRESS YOURSELF-” gallery tour for a small group of guests during this holiday weekend.

This hour-long tour invites guests to meet the “King of Kawaii” and fully immerse in the colorful and vibrant world he created in the gallery space. During the tour, Masuda will share a rare “behind the scenes” glimpse as he shares his design process, personal inspirations and candid stories about his career.

As a sneak preview of what guests might expect on this special day, watch a visit by LA Rams’ Quentin Lake’s exhibition visit here on Instagram, and JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles Advisor YOSHIKI’s exhibition visit here.

This is a rare chance for fans and newcomers alike to engage directly with the artist and gain a deeper understanding of the kawaii cultural movement.

We'd appreciate your consideration in bringing a new stuffed plushie to participate in the "Yes, KAWAII is Art" Plush Toy Drive to help put a smile on young patients at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital.

Program Schedule

Tour 1
• Check-in | 10:45 AM
• Tour | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Tour 2
• Check-in | 12:45 PM
• Tour | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

*Note: Space is extremely limited – first come first serve for first 50 guests, per tour, to RSVP. In case of cancellation, please notify us 24 hours in advance so that others on the waiting list might attend. Guests with confirmed RSVP’s who cancel less than 24 hours in advance might be prevented from registering for special artist events in the future.

About the Artist

Sebastian Masuda
Masuda began his career in theater and contemporary art in the early 1990s. In 1995, he opened the fashion shop 6%DOKIDOKI which became a platform for artistic expression. Currently working out of both Tokyo and New York, Masuda creates works that transcend the boundaries of art, fashion, and entertainment, showcasing a consistent and unique sense of color. From 2009 to 2011, Masuda conducted the "Harajuku Kawaii Experience" world tour, spreading awareness about the history of Harajuku and ...  Read more.

kawaii culture in over 20 cities, with a focus on Europe and the United States. As art director for Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's 2011 "PONPONPON" music video, Masuda was pivotal in introducing kawaii culture to the world. In 2015, he created Tokyo's Kawaii Monster Cafe, and in 2023, produced the restaurant SUSHIDELIC in New York, further contributing to the global recognition of kawaii culture. In 2024, he marks his first exhibition where he brings together multiple artworks together through "Yes, KAWAII is Art -EXPRESS YOURSELF-" at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles.

Related Exhibition

Yes, KAWAII is Art -EXPRESS YOURSELF-

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*To watch the video in full screen, please click play and then the YouTube icon on the lower right-hand corner.

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