Butsu Butsu is an interactive installation series explores gift culture. Using a teaism as a vehicle, audiences are invited to engage in barter-based tea gatherings.

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The title Butsu Butsu (物々 ) is an abbreviation of 物々交換, which means "barter" in Japanese. The series was first incubated in 2013, to explore what a true gift is in our life. 

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In each series, tea and snacks are offered to participants within a tearoom installation, as an act of gift.  A moment through serving and being served tea - which in daily life is usually exchanged for monetary value set by the host - becomes an invitation to offer non monetary  exchange instead, such as objects, skills or favors. 

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I hope for both the participants and myself to cultivate something beyond the exchange of commodities and services, through the shared experience within the installation and this chain of gifts.

 

The collected gifts become symbol of kindness and creative gesture, and will be archived as the series continues to grow.