The 1st Women's Creative Japan 2026
International Arts and Culture Exchange Project Commemorating the 102nd Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Turkey
International Arts and Culture Exchange Project Commemorating the 102nd Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Turkey
Dates
Saturday, June 6, 2026 - Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Location
Beypazar, Ankara Province, Republic of Turkey
Venue
Beypazar Sulhan and others
Organizer
Japan Women Artists Association (JWAA) / Beypazar City
Cooperation
Beypazar City Tourism Board
Project Vision
"Color transcends words, music transcends borders, and art connects hearts."
This project is an international exchange exhibition centered around Japanese female artists, aiming to transcend national borders, cultural and racial differences through the power of art and create beautiful harmony.
The setting for the first installment is Türkiye. At the crossroads of civilizations, we will celebrate the friendship of the past 100 years and weave bonds for the next 100 years.
Female artists from both countries will send a message of peace to the world through their art.
Social significance
1. International dissemination of Japanese culture
To showcase Japan's traditional culture on the international stage and enhance Japan's soft power.
2. Supporting the success of female artists
Providing an international platform for female artists from Japan and Türkiye
3. Strengthening friendly relations between Japan and Türkiye
To commemorate the 102nd anniversary of diplomatic relations, we will build a foundation for cultural exchange for the next 100 years.
4. Promoting peace through art
Through art, we convey to the world the importance of respecting diversity and peaceful coexistence.
Main events
Stage performance "Color, Sound, Dance"
Part 1: Multimedia Concert
Venue: Beypazar Sulhan Courtyard
Performance: Saturday, June 6, 2026, 17:00 start
A celebration where the essence of traditional Japanese culture and contemporary expression intersect.
Koto, Shamisen, and Jiuta: Mayumi Ono
Koto and Shinobue flute: Mayumi Ono, Izumi Hirose
Sword fighting and dance performance: Nakai Kazuna
Shinobue (Japanese bamboo flute): Izumi Hirose
Vocals: Mayuko
Dance: OTANIK BUNKA (Maki, RUKA, KIYOKO)
Part Two: Performance Main Stage - Colors: A Story of Color - Sound & Visual Art Performance (75 minutes)
Venue: Beypazar Surkhan
Performance: Saturday, June 6, 2026, around 8:00 PM
A trail of gold and color is etched onto a gigantic canvas. Live painting, music, and dance merge to create a colossal work of art at the end of the performance.
Main cast
Live Painting: Aya Marray
Koto, Shamisen, Jiuta: Mayumi Ono Storyteller: Anna Iwase Traditional Sword Dance: Runa Nakai Dancer: Noa Inoue Shinobue: Izumi Hirose Digital Sound: Keigo Akiba
Stage Director/Composition: Shiho Seto
International Art Exhibition
Venue: Beypazar Surkhan
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026 to Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 10:00-18:00
A collaboration of approximately 100 works by top Japanese female artists who are active on the world stage. Held at the historic caravanserai "Sulhan". The works encompass a wide range of expressions, including painting, sculpture, traditional crafts, and contemporary art. A new breath of Japanese spirit will be infused into this crossroads of civilizations.
International Art Exhibition - Junior Division
Venue: Beypazar Surkhan
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026 to Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 10:00-18:00
An exhibition of works by junior artists who will shape the future. It brings together the free and rich sensibilities unique to children. As a place for cultural exchange transcending borders and generations, it will showcase the possibilities of new creativity.
Symposium by Japanese and Turkish Artists: Theme: "The Power of Art"
Venue: Beipazal City Family Cultural Center
Date and time: Sunday, June 7, 2026 11:00-12:30
Speakers
Mayumi Ono (Representative Director of the Japan Traditional Culture Association), Fantasista Mayumi, Aya Marray, Rina Kawai, Professor at Ankara University, and others.
This event will delve into the social role of art and its potential for promoting peace through international activities. Artists, educators, and cultural figures from both Japan and Turkey will gather for an important dialogue exploring the future of cooperative relationships that respect cultural differences.
Japan Culture Festival ~Experience Japanese Tradition and Modernity with All Five Senses~
Venue: Beypazar Surkhan
Date: June 6, 2026 (Sat) - June 9, 2026 (Tue) 10:00 -
[Experience] Origami, festival games, and more
[Dancing] 18:00 - Citizen Exchange Bon Odori Festival (Live performance of Tokyo Ondo)
[For Sale] Kimono, dyed goods, art pieces, and Japanese accessories
[Japanese food] Yakisoba, ramen, etc.
Japanese film screening: "Shinpei: Song is Everything" (2024 / Director: Seijiro Kamiyama / Producer: Hirokuni Nitta)
Venue: Baypazar Cinema
Screening: June 7, 2026 (Sunday) 14:00~
Running time: 127 minutes (with English subtitles)
After the screening: Stage greetings and performance of the song "Shabon Dama" (Mayuko) from the film.
Citizen-participatory live painting
Location: Beypazar Surkhan
Date and time: June 9, 2026 (Tuesday) 12:00-14:00
Main Artist: Fantasista Mayumi
The emotional climax brings the entire program to a close. Together with the people of Bay Pasal, we will engrave our joy onto a giant canvas. The emotions of the four days will be brought to a conclusion as a dialogue of colors, and the finale will be filled with smiles and peace.
Opening: A celebratory feast
[The Sound of Japan]
Venue: Beypazar Sulhan
Date and time: June 6, 2026 (Sat) 10:00~
Performed by: Mayumi Ono
A live koto performance will recreate scenes of Japan, celebrating the establishment of diplomatic relations and the deep friendship between the two countries as they embark on a new chapter.
[Taste of Edo: Asakusa "Asaichi"]
Venue: Beypazar Sulhan
Date and time: June 6, 2026 (Sat) 13:00~
Representative: Toshiki Kumagai
Chef: Yuta Murayama
The chef from the renowned restaurant "Asaichi" in Asakusa, Tokyo, will treat the local dignitaries to freshly fried, authentic tempura and fine tea.
Sword Fighting Experience Workshop ~A Sword Fighting Workshop to Learn the Spirit of the Samurai~
Venue: Baypazal Family Cultural Center
Date and time: Thursday, June 4, 2026 13:00-15:00
This experiential workshop allows participants to learn about samurai etiquette, inner tranquility, and the culture of sword fighting directly from actors. It is open to local residents aged 10 and up, including adults.
Painting Workshop: Japan-Türkiye Children's Exchange
Venue: Baypazal Family Cultural Center
Date and time: June 5, 2026 (Friday) 15:00~
Target audience: Elementary school students in grades 3 through 6
Expected number of participants: Approximately 15 to 20 people
Content: Painting workshop using coloring pages
Instructor: Fantasista Mayumi
Junior Ambassador: Kanon Kumagai (5th grade elementary school student)
Main Cast Profiles
アヤ・マレー
Aya Marray
A Japanese painter residing in Türkiye. He engages in international artistic expression through live painting.
小野 真由美
Mayumi Ono
Koto, shamisen, and jiuta performer. Representative Director of the Japan Traditional Culture Association.
岩瀬 あんな
Anna Iwase
Actress and storyteller. She provides stage narration in Japanese and Turkish.
仲井 和るな
Waruna Nakai
Sword fight choreographer. Sword dance performance artist.
イノウエ ノア
Waruna Nakai
Dancer. A Latin dance artist with experience competing in international competitions in Japan and Europe.
広瀬 いずみ
Izumi Hirose
A shinobue (Japanese bamboo flute) player. A musician who expresses the Japanese spirit through sound.
Implementation structure
Overall Director: Shiho Seto (Representative Director, JWAA Japan Women Artists Association)
Operations Manager: Takuma Horibe (Video Producer)
Secretariat: Yoshiko Miyazaki
International coordination: Aya Marray
Artistic Director: Shiho Seto
Stage Production: Shiho Seto, Mayumi Ono, Keigo Akiba
Japanese festival organizer: Mina Shimazaki (video producer)
Overall Producer: Shiho Seto
Music production: Keigo Akiba, Miyako Miyazaki
International Gallerist: Yuta Morozumi
Video: Takuma Horibe
Legal Affairs: Takehiko Kawame (Attorney at Law, Mockingbird Law Firm)
[Collaborators and Supporters]
Mayumi Ono (Representative Director, Japan Traditional Culture Association)
Tatsuo Katsube (Representative Director, Daimaru Real Estate Co., Ltd.)
Miyako Miyazaki (Representative Director, Kazeneiro Co., Ltd.)
Toshiki Kumagai (Kanon International Co., Ltd.)
Hirokuni Nitta (Real Stone Co., Ltd., Film Producer)
Kanji Kobori (Film Producer)
Hiroshi Kono (CEO, Mar Creation, inc (USA))
Shizuo Suzuki (Chairman, Libran Co., Ltd.)
Masayoshi Okawa (Music Producer at Big River Co., Ltd. / Music producer for "Spirited Away")
Tayfun Dayıoğlu (Turkish language instructor)
International Real Estate College (operated by Real Estate Agent Japan Co., Ltd.)
Kimono Craft SoRA/Produced by Yukosangyo Co., LTD.
Manmaru Co., Ltd.
Sustainable Forest
O-PUS
Application Guidelines
Women's Creative Japan 2026 Secretariat, Japan Association of Women Artists
Address: 7-12 Yotsuya San'eicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0008, Japan JHC BLDG 1F
Email: info@jwaa-art.or.jp
Contact Person: Shiho Seto (Representative Director)
Please contact us via the email address or contact form above.