Kokichi Sugihara

Kōkichi Sugihara
杉原 厚吉
Born (1948-06-29) June 29, 1948
Gifu Prefecture, Japan
EducationPhD in Mathematical Engineering, University of Tokyo (1980); BSc (1971), MSc (1973)
Alma materUniversity of Tokyo
Known for3D optical illusions (e.g., Impossible Motion, Ambiguous Cylinder)
AwardsBest Illusion of the Year Contest – 1st place: 2010, 2013, 2018, 2020; 2nd place: 2015, 2016
Scientific career
FieldsMathematics, Optical Illusions, Mathematical Art
InstitutionsMeiji University (Professor, Mathematical Engineering)

Kōkichi Sugihara (Japanese: 杉原厚吉, born June 29, 1948, in Gifu Prefecture) is a Japanese mathematician and artist known for his three-dimensional optical illusions that appear to make marbles roll uphill, pull objects to the highest point of a building's roof, and make circular pipes look rectangular. His illusions, which often involve videos of three-dimensional objects shown from carefully chosen perspectives, won first place at the Best Illusion of the Year Contest in 2010, 2013, 2018,and 2020 and second place in 2015 and 2016.