KOGEI STANDARD Japanese Crafts Online Media

Ikigai. This word gained recognition among many non-Japanese following the overseas publication in 2016 of a book titled Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. “Ikigai” is an abbreviated form of an expression that means “a reason for living” and signifies a quality of finding joy and vitality in life. While distinct from traditional aesthetics, it is consider...

NEXTRAD is a team formed by 13 people of young entrepreneurs and successors of porcelain manufacturing companies in Arita and Imari. Their mission is to address various issues currently faced by the Arita ware industry and actively engage in activities to ensure that Arita ware, with over 400 years of history, is connected to the future as a sustainable industry.Following last year’s event, NEXTRA...

“JAPAN CRAFT EXPO 2023” will be held at the Festival Plaza, Expo’70 Commemorative Park in Osaka from November 3 to 5, 2023. The main feature of this event is that all participating exhibitors will conduct experiential workshops. A total of 55 craft makers from various craft production areas, ranging from Hokkaido to Okinawa, specializing in metalwork, ceramics, woodworking, lacquerware, paper, tex...

The long-awaited solo exhibition of ceramic artist Masahiro Sakakura was held at Kakiden Gallery in Shinjuku, Tokyo, three years after his first solo exhibition in 2020. Masahiro is the heir to the historic pottery company “Sakakura Shinbei-gama Kiln” in Nagato, Yamaguchi Prefecture. While respecting the tradition of the Fukawa-Hagi style and earnestly engaging with the materials, he f...

The Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries will hold the “KOUGEI EXPO IN OKAYAMA” (the 40th Traditional Craft Products Month National Assembly) at Convex Okayama in Okayama Prefecture from November 3 to 5, 2023. The KOUGEI EXPO (Traditional Craft Products Month National Assembly) is held every November as the central event of “Traditional Craft Products Mon...

The industrial tourism event “RENEW” aimed at sustainable community development will be held from October 6 to 8, 2023. The hosting location, the Echizen Sabae area of Fukui Prefecture, is a region where traditional crafts such as Echizen lacquerware, Echizen washi paper, Echizen forged blades, Echizen cabinet, and Echizen ware, as well as local industries like eyeglasses and textiles,...