Selections from the Photographic Archive of Kosen Ohtsubo, Presented by Christian Kōun Alborz Oldham, and in cooperation with Kosen Ohtsubo, Ryusei-ha, Empty Gallery, Ensō House, Kunstverein München, and Gallery 44


Kosen Ohtsubo is considered to be one of the most significant living practitioners of the art form of ikebana. While formally trained in electrical engineering from Tokyo Denki University, Ohtsubo rose to prominence in the world of ikebana due to his use of readily available materials such as vegetables and refuse. For decades, he served as the Headmaster’s Advisory Instructor of the Ryusei Ikebana School, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and has presented his work and demonstrations of ikebana technique in such countries as India, Hong Kong, Spain, The Netherlands, England, Korea, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and the United States. Ohtsubo has had two major publications printed in 1981 and 1995.

Edition Information

Device is pleased to produce and offer distribution of an open edition of prints following the ongoing exhibition series showcasing the work of Kosen Ohtsubo presented by Christian Kōun Alborz Oldham. These prints offered by Device are distinct editions separate from those featured in the exhibitions, with pricing meant to make these works more accessible to a wider audience.

Net profits for the sale of each print are split with a dominant share going directly to Kosen Ohtsubo and, in some circumstances, the Ryusei-ha, for their hands in the making of the works and photographed documentation. The remaining percentage is split between Christian Kōun Alborz Oldham and Device for their shared labor in scanning, printing, and shipping the prints. Those interested are invited to navigate to each series' exhibition website documentation for more information concerning this project.

Photos are printed full bleed (no borders) on Epson Ultra Premium Luster Photo Paper, 240 gsm, with dimensions of 17" x 22" except where otherwise noted. The origin of shipment is the United States. Pricing does not include import tax collected upon delivery of international orders. Shipping cost is calculated on individual basis.

Open edition production is currently paused. Join our mailing list for updates.


Series 1


Associated Exhibition

Paid - Seattle, WA USA - July 23 - August 6, 2022

Preview

1. SAME?「青桐に何が起ったか?」 - SAME? “What Happened to the Chinese Parasol Tree?”
2. こんなふうにお風呂に入ってます - I am Taking a Bath like this / Feeling High – Ikebana Bathing
3. Untitled (Bamboo Brooms)
4. ケロイド人間 - Keloid Man
5. リンガ正月 - Linga New Year
6. One Day
7. 舞台の装飾として - As a Stage Installation
8. ロックンロール大根タワーI - Rock’n’roll Radish Tower I
9. 蓮一色立華 - Rikka of Lotus
10. 回転するほうれん草 - Cycling Spinach
11. O氏の朝食 - Mr. O’s Breakfast
12. ぼたんまぼろし - Peony Illusion


Series 2


Associated Exhibition

Ulrik - New York, NY USA - November 3 - November 19, 2022

Preview

13. ”ジョニーは戦場にいった” を思い出しながら - While Remembering “Johnny Got His Gun”
14. 神供華 - Flowers Offered to the Gods
15. おつまみキウリ1本100円 ひねくれバーにて - ¥100 per Cucumber Snack at a Twisted Bar
16. Lovely Leaves II
17. 植物人間 - Botanical Man
18. Baran Dresser Room
19. Untitled (Willow)
20. 化粧する大根 - Radishes Wearing Makeup
21. 吉野桜の立華 - Rikka of Yoshino Cherry Blossoms
22. N先生へお中元 / ジュワッと押し出すすいかジュース - Midsummer Gift to Dr. N / Oozing Out
23. 黝めく幹 - A Bruised Trunk
24. Untitled (Bell Pepper Linga)

Series 3


Associated Exhibition

Soldes - Los Angeles, CA USA - March 1 - March 23, 2024

Preview

25. 龍生展のゴミ⅕ - ⅕ the Rubbish of the Ryusei Exhibition
26. リンガ インディア - Linga India
27. Sleeping Zebra Grass
28. 蓮一色二株砂物立華 - Sunamono Rikka of Two Lotus Roots
29. Untitled (Cement blocks)
30. Play with Funnels
31. 怪宇 I - Strange Callas I
32. ゴミ棄て場にこんな風に生えていました - They Were Growing like this by the Garbage Dump
33. Untitled (Indigo bowl)
34. Clivia Roots
35. ロールキャベツされた枝 - A Branch Made into a Cabbage Roll
36. Trapped Branches


Series 4


Associated Exhibition

Kunstverein München - München, DE - February 1 – April 24, 2025

Preview

37. 空のために - For the Sky
38. ウォークマン II - Walkman II
39. 皆のっかってグッチャグチャ - Step on It
40. マンジ固めされた大根 - Headlocked Radishes
41. 怪宇 II - Strange Callas II
42. 侵出する木 - Invading Tree
43. One Sunny Day
44. 豚の柵 - Herd Fence
45. 何に見える? - What Do You See?
46. 柳が棲む部屋 - A Room Inhabited by Willows
47. へその緒みたいな - Like an Umbilical Cord
48. いけばなワイヤージャングル - A Jungle of Ikebana Wires


Series 5


Associated Exhibition

Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography - Toronto, CA - November 28, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Preview

49. Rikka of Pine
50. UFOみたい - Like a UFO
51. 野菜いためは前衛いけばなか - Can Frizzling Vegetables Be Avant-Garde Ikebana?
52. バインディング・バウンディング - Binding Bounding
53. アリュームのしずく - Allium Droplet
54. いけばなの棲む家 - Ikebana in My Studio
55. いけばな展のゴミ - Rubbish of the Ikebana Exhibition
56. 仏供華 - Flowers Offered to Buddha
57. 八つ手盗賊 - Fatsia Bandit
58. 変化していく水仙 - Mutable Narcissus
59. 白菜テーブル クレジナイト - Chinese Cabbage Table Crazy Night
60. 行儀の悪いパンパス - Ill-Mannered Pampas Grass


Series 6


Associated Exhibition

Hearth - Toronto, CA - November 27, 2025 – February 1, 2026

Preview

61. Step on It
62. エノコログサ - Foxtail
63. おしばな趣味 - A Taste for Pressed Flowers
64. さつまいもの門 - Sweet Potato Gate
65. チクチク松葉 - Prickle Prickle Pine Needles
66. ブラブラガーベラ - Dangling Gerberas
67. リンガ日本橋 - Linga Nihonbashi
68. 上からグシャ - Squashed!
69. 卵形植物棲息図 - An Oval Shaped Habitat
70. 接待室にいける飾り花 - Ikebana for a Reception Room
71. 発情的じゃがいも - Potatoes in Heat
72. 葬儀:重森先生に捧ぐ - Funeral Dedicated to Kōen Shigemori


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