material & matter course

about

The Materials & Matter course is a course to create new fashion design possibilities by confronting various social issues surrounding oneself from the raw materials. Students learn and develop materials and techniques that interest them while deepening their knowledge of materials by inviting various craftspeople as guests and working on their own creations. In addition to interactive tutorials between students and instructors during class, professional guests from a variety of fields are invited to give presentations and offer advice from a variety of perspectives.

curriculum

Materials & Matter course is designed to allow each student to work at his or her own pace. In addition, workshops with invited guests will be held at certain times. Divided into three terms in the first and second semesters, students will create their own works while exploring important materials and social issues surrounding themselves based on their own research books, and will receive feedback in tutorials given by instructors in each class to deepen their creations from their own unique perspectives. In each term, students present their creative process in three presentations and receive feedback from the lecturers and guest reviewers. At the end of the year, a final exhibition will be held in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture, where students will present their work in the form of an installation. Students may take the course for multiple years, and assignments and procedures will vary depending on the number of years of participation. In principle, the course consists of a combined first and second semester curriculum, making it a year-round course.

<schedule >

- Orientation - 1st semester

Term1
Week1→Week2→Week3→presentation

Term2
Week5→Week6→Week7→presentation

Term3
Week9→Week10→Week11→presentation

Exchange meeting

- Late Orientation -

Term4
Week1→Week2→Week3→presentation

Term5
Week5→Week6→Week7→presentation

Term6
Week9→Week10→Week11→presentation

Networking session or Final Exhibition

<Time Table >

12:00 - Classroom lecture by Yamagata and other lecturers
12:30 - Tutorial
16:00 Class ends

Instructors

Kaori Ieyasu (家安香)
Ryota Murakami (村上亮太)
Kenji Kawasumi (川住研二)

※ Course information is for the year 2024. Instructors and other details are subject to change.

Course duration and frequency

First semester: Saturdays from May to September 12:00 - 16:00
Second semester: Saturdays from November to April 12:00 - 16:00

※ Orientation will be held at the first class.
※ Orientation will be given at the first class. (Each half year consists of 12 classes + orientation + social gathering at the end of each half year.)
※ Special classes may be held in addition to the basic classes.(12 classes in each half year + orientation + social event at the end of the course)
※ Special classes may be held in addition to the basic classes.
※ The course is a year-round course, so we do not accept applications for the second semester.
※ The course is a year-round course, so we do not accept applications from the second semester.
※ This course is designed for students who have completed the primary course.
※ The course time may be subject to change.
※ A digital student ID card will be issued for this course.
※ A certificate of completion will be issued to those who successfully complete the course.

Course fee

Course fee: 299,000 yen (328,900 yen including tax)

※ The tuition fee covers enrollment in the above course. Payment is required regardless of whether you attend the second semester.
※ If you enroll in this course concurrently with another course, you will receive a ¥10,000 discount off the total tuition fee.
※ Students enrolled in the full-year course or taking multiple courses concurrently may use installment payments. Details will be explained during the “Trial Class.”
※ Other costs include art supplies and production expenses (generally prepared by each student).

Application deadline

Friday, April 17, 2026

Application Documents

Please submit the following three items digitally according to the format by the application deadline.

1 Application form for all courses
2 Curriculum vitae for coconogacco
3 Portfolio

For the Advanced Course and the Materials & Matter Course only, portfolios may be submitted either as PDF files or as physical copies by mail. If submitting by mail, please ensure they arrive at the school by Friday, April 17, 2026.

For more information about the application, please visit

Submission Deadline: Friday, April 17, 2026