From Tokyo to Addis: A City in Color
by Yoshiharu Urushizako
From Tokyo to Addis: A City in Color brings together two distinct worlds through the observant eye of Japanese architect and artist Yoshiharu Urushizako. Developed during his years living and working in Ethiopia as a JICA architecture specialist, this collection explores the shared rhythms, landscapes, and everyday cultures of Japan and Ethiopia.
The journey began simply. Faced with limited funding for volunteer support activities in Ethiopia, Urushizako turned to his sketchbook—producing postcards and drawings to sell in support of local initiatives. What started as a grassroots fundraising effort evolved into a profound artistic exploration of place.
Working with a clean, deliberate process, Urushizako captures photographic reference points and reinterprets them through digital illustration, tracing by hand and applying a vivid palette. From bustling festival scenes and culinary traditions to quiet architectural moments and street life, the works offer a vibrant cross-cultural dialogue. Through this exhibition, visitors are invited to discover new facets of beauty in both countries, bridging thousands of miles through color, line, and shared human experience.
Exhibition Curated by:
Abinet Teshome And Sehin Tewabe, Artawi Gallery Directors
About the Artist
Yoshiharu Urushizako (born 1958 in Osaka, Japan) is an architect and artist whose creative practice is deeply informed by decades of spatial design and community engagement.
After studying architecture at the School of Science and Engineering at Waseda University, he spent over forty years practicing with Sato Sogo Keikaku (1983–2024).
Most recently, from 2024 to 2026, he lived and worked in Ethiopia as an architecture specialist with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, an experience that anchors the heart of this exhibition.