2025 SDI-A
Rebranding Traditional Culture in Japan
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From 2026.02.5 to 02.11
2月 5日 - 2月 11日
2月 5日 - 2月 11日
The 2025 SDI-A Global Design Workshop: Rebranding Traditional Culture in Japan aims to reinterpret Japanese traditional culture through the lens of design and to explore how cultural identity can be revitalized and rebranded in a contemporary context.
Focusing on Sumo—one of Japan’s most symbolic traditions—participants will analyze its visual language, spatial rituals, and symbolic systems, and develop design proposals that connect traditional culture with local branding and tourism.
The workshop will be based at Chiba University Sumida Campus, including fieldwork at Sumo-beya (training stables) and Ryogoku Kokugikan in Sumida Ward. Students from seven universities across five countries—Japan, Korea, China, Thailand, and Indonesia—will collaborate to reinterpret Japanese traditional culture and propose new design strategies that promote cultural continuity and local revitalization.
Through this process, the workshop aims to:
Create new value for traditional culture in contemporary society
Contribute to local branding and tourism revitalization
Workshop Tematic Structure
Workshop Tematic Structure
Theme A
Global Promotion & Branding Design
Focus: Graphic Design, Identity System, Poster/Booklet/Visual Communication
Output: Analog media for international promotion of Sumo and Japanese culture
Approach: Analyze visual elements, typography, spatial identity, and propose global branding strategies for tourism and cultural communication.
Theme B
Service & Application Design
Focus: UX/UI, Experience Design, Digital Communication.
Output: Service or application prototype that connects traditional culture with modern users.
Approach: Reinterpret Sumo’s rituals and audience experience to design digital services that enhance engagement and local revitalization.
Workshop Location
Workshop Location
[DRI] Design Research Institute
1 Chome-19-1 Bunka, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0044
[DRI] Design Research Institute
1 Chome-19-1 Bunka, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0044
[DRI] Design Research Institute - Chiba University Sumida Campus
DRI Sumida Satellite Campus
DRI Sumida Satellite Campus
Sessions will take place at (DRI) Design Research Institute, a Chiba Univerisity campus in Sumida,Tokyo (3rd Floor)
However, a visit to 2 different venues are programmed. They are close to the campus, but please Check the Schedule
Field Research
As part of the workshop’s research activities, two field visits: to the Kinshicho Sumo Arena and to the Oshiogawa-beya Sumo Stable, are included to provide essential cultural and contextual insights for the students’ work.
Ryogoku Kokugikan
Ryogoku Kokugikan
1 Chome-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida City, Tokyo 130-0015
Oshiogawa-beya Sumo Stable
Oshiogawa-beya Sumo Stable
3 Chome-6-3 Bunka, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0044
7-day International workshop Schedule:
7-day International workshop Schedule:
Schedule (5th - 11th, Feb, 2026)
Day 1 / Thursday
February 5
Group Work Introduction
Day 1 / Thursday
February 5
Group Work Introduction
Location: SUMIDA CAMPUS 3rd FloorLearning Space, 3 Floor
(Left Side of the Office Room)
(Left Side of the Office Room)
13:30 Orientation
14:00 Introduction of each university and students
14:30 Grouping / Ice Breaking Game
15:00 Special Lecture Special Lecture about SUMO Culture (Katsuhiro Nishio - Sumo Writer)
16:30 Group Work
Free Time
Day 2 / Friday
February 6
Field Research SUMO STABLE
Day 2 / Friday
February 6
Field Research SUMO STABLE
Location: Oshiogawa-beya Sumo Stable
and SUMIDA CAMPUS 3rd FloorLearning Space, 3 Floor
(Left Side of the Office Room)
Field Research
and SUMIDA CAMPUS 3rd FloorLearning Space, 3 Floor
(Left Side of the Office Room)
Field Research
07:30 Assemble in Sumida Campus
08:00 Visit to Oshiogawa-beya Sumo Stable Sumo Stable (2 groups) https://oshiogawa.com/
10:00 - 10:30 Comeback to Campus, Break
10:30 - 11:30 Campus Tour
10:30 - 11:30 Lunch Time
13:00 Group Work
Day 3 / Saturday
February 7
FREE Field Research
Day 3 / Saturday
February 7
FREE Field Research
Free Field Research day
Sumida Area
Sumida Area
Free Day
Day 4 / Sunday
February 8
Field Research SUMO ARENA
Day 4 / Sunday
February 8
Field Research SUMO ARENA
Location: Ryogoku Kokugikan
Field Research
Field Research
10:30 Assemble in Ryogoku Kokugikan Entrance
11:00 - 17:00 Japan Grand Sumo Tournament https://www.grandsumo.jp/gaiyou.html
Ryogoku Kokugikan
Day 5 / Monday
February 9
Group Work
Day 5 / Monday
February 9
Group Work
Location: SUMIDA CAMPUS 3rd FloorLearning Space, 3 Floor
(Left Side of the Office Room)
(Left Side of the Office Room)
10:00 -Mid-term Professor's Review
12:00 Lunch time
13:00 - 14:30 Special Lecture on Sumida Tourism
(Ikuko Moriyama - Sumida City Tourism Association)14:30 - 17:00 Group Work
Day 6 / Tuesday
February 10
Group Work
Day 6 / Tuesday
February 10
Group Work
Location: SUMIDA CAMPUS 3rd FloorLearning Space, 3 Floor
(Left Side of the Office Room)
(Left Side of the Office Room)
10:00 - 12:00 Group Work
12:00 - 13:00 Lunch Time
13:00 - 17:00 Group Work / Preparing Final Presentation
Day 7 / Wednesday
February 11
Final Presentation
Day 7 / Wednesday
February 11
Final Presentation
Location: SUMIDA CAMPUS 3rd FloorLearning Space, 3 Floor
(Left Side of the Office Room)
(Left Side of the Office Room)
10:00 - 12:00 Final Presentation in 4th Floor, Open Space
12:00 - 12:30 Celebration
13:00 - 15:00 Chanko-nabe (Traditional Sumo Food) Farewell Party
PARTICIPANT INSTITUTIONS
PARTICIPANT INSTITUTIONS
KMUTT University
Thailand
KMUTT University
Thailand
Yonsei University
Korea
Yonsei University
Korea
Bandung Institute of Technology
Indonesia
Bandung Institute of Technology
Indonesia
Chiba University (Host)
Japan
Chiba University (Host)
Japan
Hongik University (Guest)
Korea
Hongik University (Guest)
Korea
Myongji University (Guest)
Korea
Myongji University (Guest)
Korea
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