Japanese contemporary and antique COLLECTION

Masuda Gallery specialises in traditional and contemporary Japanese textiles, ceramics, prints, and decorative arts. Masako Masuda has curated a collection of pieces that showcase Japanese craftsmanship, traditional techniques and unique design principles in both historic and contemporary contexts.

HISTORY

Founder Masako Masuda (b.Kyoto) inherited her passion for collecting from her grandfather, who established the Kyoto-based trading company Chobishi in the early 1910s. . A pioneer in exporting Japanese silks and kimonos, he sourced exceptional textiles and handcrafted wares while also producing his own original designs, introducing Japanese craftsmanship to international audiences.

In the 1980s, Masako joined Konjyaku, a renowned Kyoto gallery specialising in Japanese antiques and vintage textiles. There she developed a deep knowledge of Japanese decorative arts, working closely with private collectors, museum curators, and textile, fashion, and costume designers from around the world.

In 1995, Masako moved to Sydney, where she joined Freeland Gallery, a leading gallery for post-1950 Australian studio ceramics and Japanese ceramics.

Driven by a desire to create a sanctuary for people to meet and talk about art, design, and culture, in 2010 Masako established Masuda Gallery. The gallery’s first location was on Surrey Street in Darlinghurst. In 2017, the gallery moved to it’s current location at Space 145 in Glebe, sharing space with Sue Vail’s collection of Pacific and South East Asian art.

Today, Masako draws on decades of experience and her Japanese heritage to curate a distinctive collection of works by contemporary Japanese artists and craftspeople, alongside carefully selected antiques and collectables.