8 Fine Arts and Illustration Master's Degree Programs in Japan

With the progression of researches in fine arts, design, and multiple media, independent specialized programs at the Graduate School of Fine Arts (Japanese Painting; Oil Painting and Woodcut Printing; Sculpture; Design; Ceramics; and Art History, Theory, and Conservation) were combined into the single Fine Arts program in 2007. This is not only to establish a system suited to the needs of the times; when education and research are sophisticated, and interdisciplinary studies are developed, but also to enhance each conventional specialization. Also, in order to apply the university's researches to practical endeavors, the Graduate School has established projects to reinforce interdisciplinary studies, and those to serve the development of the local community and society.

This program aims to create a fresh vision and expression in the diversity of cultural life and change in the social environment. To achieve this, both students and instructors make a continuous effort with self-study. Based on the motivation of each research office, each graduate student makes an annual curriculum plan under discussion with the supervisor. Mid-term, students have an opportunity to present their research and have instructions for further development. Students and their supervisors have opportunities for discussion to deepen the contents of the study.

The Department of Sculpture was launched in 1887 with the establishment of a sculpture course as a specialist program. This was later expanded into a plastic arts department in 1899. With the school’s transformation into Tokyo Geijutsu Daigaku in the 1949 educational reforms, the department once again became the Department of Sculpture. The current sculpture building on the Ueno Campus was built in 1971, and the doctoral program was established in 1977. Each year, a certain number of graduate students do their creative work at the Toride Campus. Educational philosophy: The Department of Sculpture stresses the importance of developing highly sensitive graduates capable of developing a vision for the future of art from a broad-ranging, global perspective, based on the history of art to date and the traditions of Japanese art. It attempts to instill this perspective by focusing on a broad-ranging study of the plastic arts and seeks to cultivate graduates capable of working as creative artists, as well as providing instruction in various arts-related areas. In the master’s degree program, students are supported by and work within a unique educational structure based on studios tailored to each student’s research goals. In addition, community involvement programs encourage each student to draw fully on his or her talents, unconstrained by preconceived domains of practice and materials, thereby providing opportunities to examine the possibilities of art in connection with society.

Students research, experiment with, and create in various expressive methods and mediums, while considering and researching issues without being limited to traditional art and design frameworks. Rather than producing tangible “things,” they come up with concepts, make plans, and carry them out, resulting in expression. In other words, they study the creative process itself and perform research while focusing on the importance of concepts. The overall research method combines investigation, collection, planning, study, and production (including a thesis).

Established with the aim of fostering human resources with advanced knowledge and skills in the fields of art and design, the Master's Degree Program was the first to be officially approved at a private art university in Japan in 1964. The Master's Degree Program encompasses five majors. In addition to Painting, Sculpture, and Design, the Art Studies major was installed in 1998, followed by Ceramic, Glass, and Metal Works in 2002. The distinct class system with one-on-one tutelage by subject teachers continuing from the undergraduate course aims to improve expertise in the respective fields. For the fostering of internationally-minded human resources, our school accepts a large number of foreign exchange students. Furthermore, in conformity with requests for postgraduate adult re-education, a system divided into daytime and nighttime classes were introduced in 1995.

The Japanese word for "sculpture", chokoku, contains the spatial concept of "cho" (or "horu": to carve) and the temporal idea of "koku" (or "kizamu": to chop). Just as old as mankind, the art of the sculpture is still being succeeded by artists around the world who keep exploring its possibilities day by day. In other words, a sculpture is a monument of space and time that continues endlessly from the past to the present and further into the future. Returning time and again to the fundamental question, "What is sculpture?", we need to keep searching for the meaning of art unconstrained by trends and customs, based on the history of all kinds of arts and techniques. The Department of Sculpture aims to foster individuals who challenge new and timeless artistic possibilities through theoretical and practical work in an ample production environment.

Regarding expressive results as artworks, students work to further improve their skills and techniques and carry out research. They think about what artistic expression means in contemporary society and pursue their own themes and methods as expressive mediums. They strive to explore their own artistic visions and potential and establish personal themes while thinking about connections with society.

The MA in ceramics consists of specialized training in porcelain (overglaze enameling technique, the study of its basic material, etc.), and stoneware and earthenware (glazed, unglazed, etc.). In each of these specializations, students acquire technical expertise as well as theoretical knowledge. In terms of educational content, first-year students undergo practical training in the adjustment of basic materials including clay and glaze, also in shaping techniques and comparative firing (including black-burnished and pit-fire ware). Second-year students conduct research on advanced shaping and firing techniques as well as decorative methods while working on their study projects.