“EGAKU" is a registered trademark of White Ship, Inc. (registration number: 5909554)
CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Unleashing our power to imagine and create the future Empowering us to navigate these uncertain times
The oldest records of human art-making can be traced back to cave paintings, many dating back over 30,000 or even 60,000 years. In the Ice Age, a time when there were no readymade art materials, a time when it was a struggle to simply survive – why were our ancestors painting pictures?
EGAKU® is an art-based learning program which emerged from artist Kunihiko Yazawa’s enquiry into the meaning of this basic human act that is art-making: Why do humans paint pictures? Why do we make art?
To date, people of all ages and walks of life have taken part in the program, including students, business professionals, executives and entrepreneurs. Over the years we have discovered that EGAKU® can help develop individuals’ creative thinking and creative communication skills – essential skills in these uncertain and complex times.
EGAKU® combines cognitive science, adult development psychology and systems thinking, to help individuals unleash their innate creativity and nurture their authentic selves, empowering them to navigate an uncertain and complex world.
EGAKU: Impact and reach
The EGAKU® Method
In EGAKU® through the experience of seeing and making art, participants engage in a cycle of dialogue, discovery and expression.
The EGAKU® Method encourages introspection, deepens self-awareness and expands the mind and senses. This practice nurtures the individual’s unique creative abilities, enhancing creative thinking and creative communication skills. Creativity is not a special gift belonging to the chosen few, nor is it something fixed and unchangeable. Creativity is like a muscle. Just like building a muscle, continuous development of your creativity through EGAKU® will transform the way you live and work.
Benefits of EGAKU®
Practising EGAKU® helps cultivate the mindset and skills
to help you flourish in a rapidly changing, uncertain and complex world
Acquire creative thinking skills※1 to complement problem solving skills
Enhance your critical thinking skills※2
Become aware of your unconscious biases
Develop the 5 core skills of creative communication: self-awareness, expression, observation, dialogue, empathy
Nurture your creative confidence
Develop a mindset that embraces experimentation, enhance resilience and grit
Shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset※3
Nurture intrinsic motivation and develop a self-transforming mind※4
Connect heart, body and mind to cultivate well-being
Clarify and connect with your values and purpose, in the ageof longevity enhance your capacity to be the author of your own life
Acquire creative thinking skills※1 to complement problem solving skills
Enhance your critical thinking skills※2
Become aware of your unconscious biases
Develop the 5 core skills of creative communication: self-awareness, expression, observation, dialogue, empathy
Nurture your creative confidence
Develop a mindset that embraces experimentation, enhance resilience and grit
Shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset※3
Nurture intrinsic motivation and develop a self-transforming mind※4
Connect heart, body and mind to cultivate well-being
Clarify and connect with your values and purpose, in the ageof longevity enhance your capacity to be the author of your own life
※1 We define "creative thinking” as having the following characteristics: the ability to act and express oneself driven by intrinsic motivation; a mindset which embraces a rich, multifaceted, systems-based view of the world; thoughtful engagement with the world informed by keen observation and a critical perspective. ※2 Of the 3 fundamental aspects of critical thinking - attitude, knowledge and skills – an “attitude of being disposed to consider in a thoughtful way the problems and subjects that come within the range of one's experiences” is thought to be key. EGAKU helps cultivate this core attitude and mindset. (Source: Dewey, J.(1933). How we think. Lexington, Mass.: D. C. Heath. / Glaser, E. M.(1985) Critical thinking: Education for responsible citizenship in a democracy. National Forum,65,24-27) ※3 Research carried out by Stanford University psychologist, Carol Dweck, shows that individuals with fixed mindsets struggle to learn from feedback and embrace challenges, and as a result they may plateau early and achieve less than their full potential. However, those with a growth mindset thrive on challenge, embracing them as opportunities for growth and as a result, they reach ever-higher levels of achievement. (Source: Carol Dweck, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success) ※4 EGAKU supports the transformation from a socialized mind to a self-transforming mind as described in Harvard University psychologist, Robert Kegan’s theory of adult development outlined in “The Three Stages of Adult Development.” (Source: Kegan, R., & Lahey, L. L. (2009). Immunity to change: how to overcome it and unlock potential in yourself and your organization. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Press)
EGAKU®️ Courses
Experiencing EGAKU® once offers a wealth of surprises, fresh insights, and learning. However, it is the regular practice of EGAKU that will help you develop your creative muscles - creative thinking and creative communication skills - fostering the mindset and skills necessary to navigate an uncertain and complex world and drive meaningful change in your life. If you have experienced EGAKU in one of our programs for schools or organizations, we invite you to experience the personal transformation that occurs through continuing your EGAKU practice.
Throughout the year, we provide various themes to guide you on your transformative journey. You can start a course any time, and although you can take the course at your own pace, we recommend creating a regular practice. We suggest beginning with a series of three consecutive sessions, EGAKU BASIC, and then tailoring your practice to suit your personal goals and lifestyle.
26,400 yen (includes consumption tax) ※All participants require an EGAKU Art Kit to participate in the course. EGAKU Art Kits and other EGAKU art materials can be purchased here.
TOTSUKITOKA
Intensive Course
TOTSUKITOKA is an intensive EGAKU course designed to offer a
deep and focused learning experience across 10 sessions.
Embark on a journey of self-discovery and explore the creative possibilities within you.
77,000 yen (inclusive of consumption tax) ※ All participants require an EGAKU Art Kit to participate in the course. EGAKU Art Kits and other EGAKU art materials can be purchased here.
How to join a session
We offer EGAKU® in two formats: online sessions and gallery sessions. Gallery sessions are in-person sessions held at 9201 Gallery in Tokyo, Japan and are open to both English speakers and Japanese speakers. We have separate online sessions for Japanese and English speakers, no interpretation is available for these sessions so please reserve a session in your preferred language.
Online session
Join our online sessions on Zoom
from anywhere in the world
*Requirements for online sessions here
Note all session times/dates are Japan time
Gallery session
All participants are required to bring their EGAKU Art Kit to the gallery session, or purchase one at the venue.
Venue: 9201 Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
Capacity: 24 people
Shop: EGAKU®️ Art Materials
All participants must have an EGAKU Art Kit to participate in an EGAKU®️ session.
If you do not have an EGAKU Art Kit you can purchase one from the link below.
You can also purchase additional EGAKU art materials separately.
Notice to online participants
When reserving a session, please allow sufficient time for delivery of the art materials.
(Shipping times vary by destination: 5 days for domestic shipping, 2-3 weeks for international shipping)
The EGAKU Art Kit is mandatory for participating in EGAKU
Learn more about EGAKU Art Materials >>
Click “Buy” to complete your purchase on our online shop (Square)
GIFT EGAKU: Experienced EGAKU participants can gift the EGAKU experience to friends and loved ones
Details here >>
Creative Communication Skills developed through EGAKU®
Continued practice of EGAKU®︎ can help nurture the five skills of creative communication - self-awareness, expression, observation, empathy and dialogue.
We believe these 5 skills are essential to empower individuals to nurture a strong inner compass, embrace and respect diversity, and create their own authentic lives. Furthermore, we believe that through the medium of non-verbal expression EGAKU can dramatically enhance the core skill of self-awareness, leading to the natural growth of the four other skills of expression, observation, empathy and dialogue.
EGAKU can also be effectively combined with other reflective daily practices such as journaling, coaching and mindfulness to develop creative communication skills.
Creative Communication Skills developed through EGAKU®
Continued practice of EGAKU®︎ can help nurture the five skills of creative communication - self-awareness, expression, observation, empathy and dialogue.
We believe these 5 skills are essential to empower individuals to nurture a strong inner compass, embrace and respect diversity, and create their own authentic lives. Furthermore, we believe that through the medium of non-verbal expression EGAKU can dramatically enhance the core skill of self-awareness, leading to the natural growth of the four other skills of expression, observation, empathy and dialogue.
EGAKU can also be effectively combined with reflective daily practices such as journaling, coaching and mindfulness to develop creative communication skills.
