On April 21, 2026, the winners of the 3rd 伊藤熹朔記念賞 (Itō Kisaku Kinen Shō) were officially announced, honoring outstanding achievements in Japanese stage design over the past two years.

Hosted by the 日本舞台美術家協会 (Nihon Butai Bijutsuka Kyōkai, Japan Association of Stage Designers), this prestigious award recognizes excellence across the full spectrum of stage artistry—from sets and costumes to wigs and makeup.

Grand Prize Goes to “The Beautiful Miller’s Daughter”

The main award (本賞, honshō) was presented to Matsuo Hiroko, who worked on the stage design for the opera 「シューベルト 水車屋の美しい娘」 (Shūberuto Suishaya no Utsukushii Musume, “Schubert: The Beautiful Miller’s Daughter”).

In Japanese, the article says she:

歌劇「シューベルト 水車屋の美しい娘」の美術を手がけた松生紘子 Kageki “Shūberuto Suishaya no Utsukushii Musume” no bijutsu o tegaketa Matsuo Hiroko “Hiroko Matsuo, who worked on the stage art for the opera ‘Schubert: The Beautiful Miller’s Daughter.’”

We’ll look more closely at the grammar pattern 〜を手がけた (o tegaketa) in the language section below—it’s a very useful expression when talking about creative projects.

Newcomer and Encouragement Awards

The 新人賞 (shinjinshō, Newcomer Award) went to Kubota Yūto. He was in charge of the stage design for:

• The Ongakuza Musical 「ホーム」 (Hōmu, “Home”)
• The Tokyo Nikikai Opera Theatre production of 「さまよえるオランダ人」 (Samayoeru Orandajin, “The Flying Dutchman”)

Two artists received the 奨励賞 (shōreishō, Encouragement Award):

• Negoro Misaki
• Matsumura Ayano

They handled spatial design and stage art for:

• みんなのリトル高円寺2025「ウミゾコアイランドがあらわれた！～ツナガルツアーへ出航～」 Minna no Ritoru Kōenji 2025 “Umizoko Airando ga Arawareta! ~Tsunagaru Tsuā e Shukkō~” (“Little Koenji for Everyone 2025: The Seabed Island Appears! ~Setting Sail on a Connecting Tour~”)

A 特別賞 (tokubetsushō, Special Award) was also presented to Shimoju Kyōko, who creates hats and headdresses as the representative of Atelier Chapeaune.

What Is the Itō Kisaku Memorial Award?

The Itō Kisaku Memorial Award honors achievements in all aspects of stage design, including:

• 装置 (sōchi) — stage sets
• Costumes
• Props
• Wigs
• Makeup

It recognizes (顕彰する, kenshō suru) outstanding work from productions staged within the past two years.

The award was originally established in 1967 after the death of stage designer Itō Kisaku. It was created by the 熹朔の会 (Kisaku no Kai), and today the Japan Association of Stage Designers has 引き継いで (hikitsuide) its name and mission—continuing the spirit and purpose of the original award.

The award ceremony will be held on May 25 at 紀伊國屋ホール (Kinokuniya Hall) in Tokyo.

The Selection Exhibition in Tokyo

The winners were chosen during a judging session held on April 20 at the exhibition:

「第3回伊藤熹朔記念賞・選考展」 Dai-3-kai Itō Kisaku Kinen Shō Senkō-ten (3rd Itō Kisaku Memorial Award Selection Exhibition)

The exhibition is currently being held 東京芸術劇場 アトリエウエストにおいて (Tōkyō Geijutsu Gekijō Atorie Uesuto ni oite)—at Atelier West in the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.

Seven judges were responsible for the 選考 (senkō, selection process), including external judges Tokunaga Kyōko and Hagiwara Ken.

At the venue, around 50 works are displayed, including:

• Stage models
• Costumes
• Stage photographs
• Production materials

Visitors can closely observe the creative process 担った (ninatta, “shouldered” or “took responsibility for”) by both established and emerging stage artists. The exhibition runs until April 26.

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Cultural Context: Why Stage Design Matters in Japan

In Japanese theater—whether opera, musical, or contemporary drama—stage design is not just background decoration. The 美術 (bijutsu, stage art) team shapes the emotional and visual world of the performance.

The fact that this award covers everything from 装置 (sōchi, sets) to wigs and makeup shows how Japanese theater sees stage design as a comprehensive art form. It’s a collaborative effort where many artists 担う (ninau) different responsibilities to bring a story to life.

By continuing this award since 1967, the association has literally 引き継いでいる (hikitsuide iru, carrying on) a tradition that values craftsmanship and innovation in live performance.

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Learn Japanese from This Article

Key Vocabulary

Try making your own sentence:

• 彼は新人賞を受賞した。 Kare wa shinjinshō o jushō shita. “He received the Newcomer Award.”

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Grammar Spotlight

1) 〜を手がけた

Structure: Noun + を手がけた

Meaning: worked on; was in charge of (a project)

This expression is often used in creative, professional contexts.

Example from the article:

• 歌劇の美術を手がけた。 Kageki no bijutsu o tegaketa. “(She) worked on the stage design for the opera.”

More examples:

• 有名な映画の音楽を手がけた作曲家です。 Yūmei na eiga no ongaku o tegaketa sakkyokuka desu. “He is a composer who worked on the music for a famous film.”

• 新しい劇場の設計を手がけました。 Atarashii gekijō no sekkei o tegakemashita. “(They) handled the design of the new theater.”

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2) 〜において

Structure: Place + において

A formal way to say “at,” “in,” or “on.” Common in news articles and official announcements.

Example:

• 東京芸術劇場において開催される。 Tōkyō Geijutsu Gekijō ni oite kaisai sareru. “It will be held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre.”

Compared to casual で, において feels more official and written.

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Useful Expression

• 〜の志を引き継ぐ ~ no kokorozashi o hikitsugu “To inherit (someone’s) spirit or mission.”

This is often used when organizations continue the work or philosophy of a founder.

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Continue Learning

To understand more about entertainment and cultural terms, explore our Basic Vocabulary Building: Embracing Words Without Latin Ties.

Working on your reading skills? Our Introduction to Kanji: Pictorial Foundations of Japanese Script lesson is a great next step.

And if you’re strengthening your reading of performance titles and foreign names in Japanese, check out Katakana Essentials: Adapting Global Words to Japanese.

Stage design may happen behind the scenes, but the language of awards, exhibitions, and artistic responsibility gives you a front-row seat to how Japanese culture honors creativity.

これからもよろしくお願いします。 Kore kara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.