Sawako Kabuki

Sawako Kabuki, a Japanese illustrator and animator based in New York and Tokyo, blends vibrant colours with playful yet subversive themes, often exploring female sexuality, body image, and societal norms.

Her work draws from 1970s Japanese graphic design and the bold compositions of Ukiyo-e, creating a fusion of tradition and modernity. Known for her intricate textures and dense compositions, she frequently incorporates tiny nude figures—what she calls “butt therapy”—a repetitive, meditative practice that adds humour and depth to her explorations of the human body.

While studying at university, her animation projects were nominated at four major international animation film festivals, and she was recognized as one of “100 Japanese People Who Caught the World's Attention in 2023” by Courrier Japon. Since then, she has continued to gain recognition on the global stage.

Exhibitions:

2013 Spec show, GALERIE SIMON, Japan

2013 SHIBUKARU MATSURI, SHIBUYA PARCO, Japan

2014 ANIME SAKKA ZAKKA, 3331 Arts Chiyoda & Fantoche International Animation Film Festival, Japan & Switzerland

2015 Scholarship Winners Exhibition, 3331 Arts Chiyoda, Japan

2015 RGB Exhibition, Gallery HANA Shimokitazawa, Japan

2016 KANAZAWA'S BEAUTY EXPLORED, Asakusa LION, Japan

2016 ANIME SAKKA ZAKKA, 3331 Arts Chiyoda, Japan

2016 Animation Laboratory, Books under Hotchkiss, Japan

2016 MIDNIGHT LIBRARY the first half of 2016 artists EXHIBITION, HMV & BOOKS TOKYO, Japan

2018 Flip Book, Ilmin Museum of Art, Korea

2020 DARUMA AUCTION, BONUS TRACK, Japan

2020 [Solo Exhibition] Spank Your Ass, Ningen Restaurant, Japan

2021 Healthy Erotic Exhibition, NOSE art garage, Japan

2023 [Solo Exhibition] Butt Therapy, Galerie Miyu, France

Awards:

[Illustration]

2011 Tokyo Girls Sexy Movie Collection, Japan - Jury Special Prize

[Animation] Ketsujiru Juke / ANAL JUKE - anal juice -

2013 CAMPUS GENIUS AWARD, Japan - BRONZE

2014 Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival, Japan, International Short Film Showcase - Excellence in Art Award

2014 Tokyo Girls Sexy Movie Collection, Japan - Jury Special Prize

2014 3331 Chiyoda Art Festival, Japan Scholarship Award in the Visual Division

2014 World Festival of Animated Film - ANIMAFEST Zagreb, Croatia - Best Student Film

[Animation] Ici, là et partout

2013 PISAF Puchon International Student Animation Festival - Korea AnimationProducers Association Chief Prize

2014 Japan Media Arts Festival, Japan, animation division - Jury Selections

[Animation] Shinsuke Sugahara - MASTER BLASTER

2015 CAMPUS GENIUS AWARD, Japan - SILVER

2015 Insomnia Festival, Russia, - viewer's choice award

2016 Flatpack Festival, UK - RANDOM ACTS AWARD

2018 Florida Film Festival, USA - Best Midnight Short

[Animation] Don't tell Mom

2015 Bucheon International Animation Festival, Korea - Graduation Competition Jury Special Prize

2016 South By Southwest Film Festival, USA - Special Jury Recognition

[Animation] THE POTONE! - Nou Nen feat.utae

2017 Image Forum Festival, Japan - Audience Award in Kyoto

[Animation] Summer's Puke is Winter's Delight

2016 «Animatou», International Animation Film Festival, Switzerland - Animatou Main Award, International Competition

2016 Morbido Film Festival, Mexico - Little Silver Skull award

2017 MONSTRA - Lisbon Animated Film Festival, Portugal - Jury Honorable Mentions

2017 World Festival of Animated Film - ANIMAFEST Zagreb, Croatia - Special Mention

2017 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, France - Student Competition Jury Award

2017 Paris International Animation Film Festival, France - Originality Award

2017 LIAF: London International Animation Festival, UK - Jury Honourable Mention

[Animation] WAAAH

2018 Les Sommets du cinéma d’animation, Canada - Best Very Short Film

[Animation] Kuricorder Quartet - Southpaw

2020 Ottawa International Animation Festival - Vimeo Staff Pick Award

2021 South By Southwest Film Festival, USA - Music Videos Special Jury Recognition for Pure Joy

2021 South By Southwest Film Festival, USA - Audience Award for the Music Video Competition screening section

[Animation] I'm Late

2022 Japan Media Arts Festival, Japan, animation division - Jury Selections

2022 Guanajuato International Film Festival - Best Animated Short Film Award

2022 36th Image Forum Festival - Shibuya SKY award

2022 36th Image Forum Festival - the Audience award in Tokyo

2022 36th Image Forum Festival - the Audience award in Nagoya

2022 FLICKERS' Rhode Island International Film Festival - the grand prize for Best Experimental