8th Miyamoto Saburo Award for Original Sketch - Application Guidelines

FAQ 
Competition
Objective
Komatsu Biennale 2025: 8th Miyamoto Saburo Award for Original Sketch “Pioneering New Expressions”

The Western-style painter, Miyamoto Saburo (1905-1974) was born in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, and moved to Tokyo at a young age with dreams of becoming an artist. He set up an atelier in the Setagaya ward of Tokyo in the early 1935, which became the base from which he churned out his works. At the source of Miyamoto’s creative output are his exceeding skills at sketching, which richly reflect his talent as an artist.
The forms derived from single pen strokes express the artist’s taste and sentiments, and hold the potential for a broad range of unique expressions. Miyamoto Saburo once said that “Even a mere sheet of paper and a humble stick of charcoal is more than enough to begin capturing the essence of a subject.”, stressing the exquisite forms that lines can create.
Whether through sketching or other techniques, this competition arose with the vision of seeking rich artistic expressions. We seek to push the limits of expression from the very first stroke, discovering fresh techniques and creativity that carve the path towards the future.
Application Period
1st April (Tue) – 20th May (Tue) 2025
Submission Fee
One submission ¥6,000, 2 submissions ¥9,000 (for up to 2 works)

Elementary school, junior high school, high school and university students (including graduate schools, junior colleges, and professional training colleges in the Hokuriku region) are exempt from the submission fee (*Please submit proof of attendance).
Judging Panel
ASAI Yusuke (Contemporary artist)
KOMATSU Miwa (Artist)
SUZUKI Yasuhiro (Artist)
HASHIMOTO Yoshiya (Director of Setagaya Art Museum)
HIGASHIMURA Akiko (Manga artist）
Application Process

Application
1st April (Tue) – 20th May (Tue) 2025 (period to be received)
Application submission via post or online

Work delivery

12th Jun (Thu) – 15th Jun (Sun) 2025 (to reach us by 4PM on the last day)
Attach entry label on the upper right-hand corner of the back of the work(s)

Results announcement
Applicants will be notified in early Aug

Exhibition
[Komatsu] 20th Sep (Sat) – 3rd Nov (Mon) 2025
[Tokyo] 15th Nov (Sat) – 23rd Nov (Sun) 2025 (tentative)


Return of works

How to Enter
(1) Application Submission
※Can be submitted via post or internet
※A large volume of submissions is expected close to the deadline, so please give yourself sufficient leeway before the deadline.
※After applications have been received, the organizers will send a notice containing acknowledgement of receipt and your registration no., as well as your entry labels.
※Works and their names cannot be changed after application submission.

For Application by Post
1. You are to use the official attachments included with the application form. You may download these from the homepage, or request them from the organizers via post, with a 110 yen stamp enclosed.

2. Transfer the submission fee to the bank account specified below, and attach the payment receipt to your application form (Copies accepted. Provide the transfer statement if transferred via ATM, and printout of transfer confirmation page etc. if through internet banking)

3. Fill in all required fields in the application form, and mail or bring it to the organizer’s office within the application period.
Note that you should also summarize the meaning of your work and perspective on sketching and drawing in the “What is Design (Sketching) or Drawing to Me?” section within 250 words in English or 400 characters in Japanese. This may be used as reference during judging and for the exhibition. (you may print and attach a typed copy if preferred) *This essay is compulsory

Submission fees to be sent to:
北國銀行 小松支店（Hokkoku Bank Komatsu Branch）
Ordinary Account Acc. No. 62551
Account Name: 宮本三郎記念デッサン大賞展実行委員会
 ※We seek your understanding that as a general rule, transferred submission fees and commissions cannot be refunded.
Applications to be sent to:  
Miyamoto Saburo Award for Original Sketch – Executive Committee (Miyamoto Saburo Museum)
5 Konmade-machi, Komatsu City, Ishikawa Pref. Japan 923-0904
For Application Online
1. Fill in the required fields in the application form found on the competition homepage (https://miyamoto-dessin.com/) and submit.

2. A reply mail will be sent containing the link for online payment of submission fee. Please proceed with payment through the link sent within a week (only credit card payment accepted). The application will not be accepted until the submission fee is paid.

(2) Work Delivery
1.All costs incurred in delivery of the works will be borne by the applicant.

2. Submit your works with the entry labels sent from the organizers pasted on the right-hand corner on the reverse side of the works. (Make sure the entry label is pasted in the right orientation relative to the work)

3. Send the work via the designated transport company indicated below. (Entries can be personally delivered to the transport company, but not the museum.)

4. Packaging materials will be reused when returning the applicant’s works. Please use materials that can be reused.
※Please check with the organizers if sending from outside Japan.

(3) Return of Works
1. The costs of returning the works will be borne by the applicant regardless of whether the work is granted an award.

2. All works that have not been selected will be returned to applicants once judging has been finalized, in mid-Aug 2025 (tentative) via the designated transport company.

3. Excluding the works selected for the Grand Prize, Miyamoto Saburo Memorial Award and Merit Awards, all other awarded/ selected works will be returned after the exhibition in mid-Dec 2025 (tentative) via the designated transport company.

4. Works cannot be returned at the Tokyo exhibition venue.

Publicity of awarded/selected works
We seek your acknowledgement and understanding of the following points:
・Photos of awarded/selected works may be taken by Komatsu City, and used for publicity.
・Visitors to the exhibitions are permitted to take photos of the awarded/selected works, and post them on blogs or social media etc. (however, commercial use will not be permitted)

Other Points to Note
(1) While utmost care will be taken during delivery of the works, the organizers and transport company will not be responsible for any damage or loss in transit. Applicants are responsible for applying for shipping insurance if desired.

(2) The cash award for the Grand Prize, Miyamoto Saburo Memorial Award and Merit Awards will be regarded as payment for acquisition of the works. These works will become the property of Komatsu City. Although the copyright belongs to the creator, the creator grants Komatsu City free permission to use these works for exhibitions, photography, printings and distributions of printed materials (including paid distributions) of the photographed images, publications on the website, uses for public relations, and other uses. These matters will be exchanged in writing at the time of awarding the prize.

(3) The organizers have the right to use photographs of the selected and awarded works, as well as the contents of the application form (excluding birthdate, phone number, mail address, and address details beyond municipality), for the exhibition, catalogues/pamphlets and publicity.

(4) The personal information of the applicants will only be used for matters relating to this competition and exhibition.

(5) We seek your understanding that we cannot respond to inquiries on the judging process.

Designated Transport Company:
Impress Corporation, Fine Arts Department, Original Sketch Award IC 4-117 Oshino, Nonoichi City, Ishikawa Pref., Japan 921-8802
TEL: 076-248-5353

Exhibition application form PDF version is here

 8th_miyamoto_dessin_en.pdf (392 KB)


The electronic application form will be published at a later date. Please wait a little longer.
FAQ 
Eligibility
People of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels are welcome
Theme
No restrictions (any work that is in line with the competition objective, whether representational or abstract works)
Submission Requirements
Submitted works must meet the following requirements.
 Size
Within 1280mm (hight) by 1280mm (width) by 100mm (depth) (including frame)
 Weight
Within 20kg (including frame)
 Shape
Flat piece that can be hung on a wall.

・Must be the applicant’s original work made within the last three years.
・Cannot be a work that has been awarded/ selected in other contests or public exhibitions.
・Cannot violate copyright of any other third party
*If it has been discovered that a third party’s work has been stolen or plagiarized, any award or selection previously announced will be revoked.
・Must be durable enough to be displayed.
*You are required to attach hanging material that is strong enough to bear the weight of the work.
・Dangerous or perishable materials cannot be used.
Number of Works
Maximum two submissions per person (group submissions not allowed)

Exhibition application form PDF version is here

 8th_miyamoto_dessin_en.pdf (392 KB)


The electronic application form will be published at a later date. Please wait a little longer.
FAQ 
Prize
piece Monetary Award
Grand Prize 1 \ 1,000,000 yen
Miyamoto Saburo Memorial Award 1 \ 500,000 yen
Merit Award 2 \ 300,000 yen
Honorable Mentions 4 \ 100,000 yen
Other awards may be provided by sponsors *A total of 50 works will be selected for awards or exhibition
Result Announcement
Applicants will be notified via post in early Aug 2025
Award Ceremony
Scheduled for the afternoon of 20th Sep 2025 (Sat)
Venue: Komatsu City Honjin Memorial Art Museum
19 Marunouchikoen-machi, Komatsu City, Ishikawa Pref.
Japan 923-0903
TEL 0761-22-3384
Exhibition
Awarded and selected works will be displayed at the following exhibitions:
[Komatsu Exhibition]
Period: 20th Sep (Sat) – 3rd Nov (Mon) 2025
Venue: Komatsu City Miyamoto Saburo Museum

[Tokyo Exhibition]
Period: 15th Nov (Sat) – 23rd Nov (Sun) 2025 (tentative)
Venue: Setagaya Art Museum Citizen’s Galleries A & B
1-2 Kinuta-koen, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-0075

Exhibition application form PDF version is here

 8th_miyamoto_dessin_en.pdf (392 KB)


The electronic application form will be published at a later date. Please wait a little longer.

Contact Information

E-mail: miyamotode@city.komatsu.lg.jp

Miyamoto Saburo Award for Original Sketch - Executive Committee (Miyamoto Saburo Museum)
5 Konmade-machi, Komatsu City, Ishikawa Pref. Japan 923-0904