While at Tama Art University, Jin Katagiri co-founded the comedy duo Rahmens. Now, along with acting, he’s thriving as a clay sculpture artist. His Absurd Clay Art Exhibition ‘Giri-ten’, launched in 2016, toured 18 cities across Japan over four years, attracting around 78,000 visitors to Aeon Malls nationwide. Known for pieces that blend humor and accessibility with intricate craftsmanship, Katagiri’s art has a unique appeal.
A lifelong connection to art has driven him to share its wonders across many fields, and during Art Week Tokyo (AWT), he found himself particularly drawn to exhibitions featuring “sculptural works and installations.”
Among these, Katagiri visited Sunlight Announcements by Asako Fujikura at WAITINGROOM, where he delved into the beauty of “art without right answers.” We spoke with Katagiri about his approach to life, how children taught him new ways to appreciate art, and more.
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An Early Encounter with Art: Astonished by Crowds Flocking to Masterpieces
Can you tell us about your first encounter with art?
Katagiri： My first museum visit was in sixth grade, when my father took me to a Van Gogh Exhibition. I think it was in Ueno. Honestly, I don’t remember much about the artworks themselves [laughs], but what stuck with me was the sight of adults packed tightly into the exhibition space, all eagerly trying to see the paintings. I remember about a hundred people crowding around a single painting, and all I could think was, “Van Gogh is incredible!” and “I want to be like Van Gogh!”
I grew up in the suburbs of Saitama, just like Asako Fujikura, whose exhibit I saw today. So as a child, going all the way to a museum in Tokyo felt like a really special experience. My father worked in architecture and was busy even on weekends, but he loved not only architecture but also painting. Though he could be a bit strict, he would sometimes take time off to bring me to places like the National Museum of Western Art in Ueno or the National Museum of Modern Art in Takebashi.
Born in 1973, from Saitama Prefecture. A graduate of Tama Art University, he is an actor and sculpture artist. Currently active on television, stage, drama series, and radio, Katagiri’s recent appearances include New Airport Seizure (NTV), Kumokiri Nizaemon Final (NHK BS), and the stage production Harold and Maude. Since 1999, he has been pursuing his work as a sculpture artist alongside acting. In 2015, he held the Absurd Clay Art Exhibition ‘Giri-ten’ at Aeon Mall Makuhari Shintoshin, and from 2016, he took the exhibit to Aeon Malls nationwide, touring 18 cities over four years and attracting a total of 78,000 visitors. In 2019, he held his first solo overseas exhibition, Giri-ten Taiwan. In 2021, he celebrated 20 years of his clay work with the Jin Katagiri Creative Encyclopedia Exhibition at Tokyo Dome City’s Gallery AaMo.
Asako Fujikura Exhibition: Sunlight Announcements (WAITINGROOM)
So as a child, you had the experience of traveling outside your prefecture to encounter art.
Katagiri：Yes, at the National Museum of Western Art, we could enjoy Le Corbusier’s architecture and Western paintings by artists like Monet, and at the National Museum of Modern Art, we could see Kunio Maekawa’s architecture along with a variety of artistic works. I think Tokyo was a particularly exciting place for my father. For me as a child, one of the highlights was getting a poster or pamphlet from the museum shop on the way out. Although, to be honest, I wasn’t much of a reader, so even when I got a pamphlet, I’d often get sleepy before I could finish reading the opening “Welcome” message [laughs].
