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 Shinbe-gama Kiln” in Nagato, Yamagu...

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 Craf...

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 pa...

Started in 2019 as an art festival that promotes the charm of “Kutani ware,” a traditional craft from Komatsu and Nomi in Ishikawa Prefecture, “KUTANism” returns this year with the theme “Tracing the Colors of Kutani.” The program focuses on the distinctive use of vibrant color s...

In Japan, there is a word “縁” (en), which is used to describe not only connections between people but also the ties and relationships among various aspects of life. It is a word deeply rooted in Eastern philosophy and thinking.The concept of en is derived from the Bud...

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as MUFG), one of the world’s leading financial groups based in Japan, has initiated the “MUFG KOGEI Project.” The aim of this project is to embrace and cultivate the innovation required in changing times while preservi...

From September 16 to 25, 2023, the “Utsuwa no Aki (Pottery in Fall) vol.04” event will take place at Nagato Yumoto Onsen in Yamaguchi Prefecture. This event, which began in 2020, features eight artists from all five Fukawa kilns in the neighboring village of Sonose. It provides a...

Initiated in 2020 with the goal of developing a wider art area in the three Hokuriku prefectures of Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui, while also showcasing the charm of crafts both domestically and internationally, GO FOR KOGEI is now in its fourth edition. This year, it will take pla...

“ECHO TOMORROW FIELD – Food and Art” organized by the non-profit organization TOMORROW will be held from October 7 to November 26, 2023, at multiple venues in Tango and Kinosaki. This event is planned around 3 main themes: art works that highlight the history of Tango, an area hi...

From June 28 to July 3 in 2023, the third solo exhibition by Ikuko Ogawa was held at Mitsukoshi Main Store in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, marking a return after four years. Ikuko seamlessly blends the distinctive features of Edo and Satsuma styles of kiriko faceted glasswork, creating exq...

Marikoshuku, a historic post-town flourished with travelers for centuries as a key location along the Tokaido road, has opened a new establishment called “mariko craft inn IZUMIGAYA.” Nestled in the naturally rich countryside setting, this renovated 100-year-old traditional Japan...

Kenji Matsuura, a native of Chiba Prefecture, is a glass artisan responsible for product development at Sugahara Glassworks. He became fascinated with glass when he started attending glassmaking classes as an engineering student, and joined Sugahara Glassworks, a local glass manu...