“KO+GEI 2026,” an exhibition presenting the contemporary state of Japanese craft — rooted in tradition, climate, and aesthetic sensibility — to a global audience, will take place at the Tokyo Art Club in Shinbashi, Tokyo, from May 21 to 24, 2026.

This exhibition serves as a platform for works that merge “工 – ko” (craft) — the evolving practice rooted in Japanese tradition — and “藝 – gei” (art) — artistic expression shaped by each artist’s distinct and deeply personal vision — elevating both into a contemporary craft aesthetics.

Launched in 2024, this second edition brings together a total of 57 artists: seven invited artists who are leading figures in the contemporary craft world, alongside 50 emerging and highly regarded artists gaining international attention. In addition to ceramics, lacquerware, and metalwork, this year’s exhibition newly features two Japanese swords, offering a more multifaceted perspective on Japanese craft.

All exhibited works will be available for purchase via a lottery system, both at the venue and online, allowing even first-time visitors to discover new works and experience the process of acquiring art.

On May 24, the Grand Prize and Excellence Awards will be selected from among the 50 recommended artists through voting by art dealers across Japan who are members of the Tokyo Art Club. In addition, each juror will select one work for a Special Prize.

This year, fashion designer NIGO^® joins as a new Special Prize juror. Known for shaping the foundations of contemporary street culture and, more recently, for his deep engagement with ceramics and the tea ceremony, his perspective is expected to foster new intersections between craft and contemporary culture. The selected award-winning works will be exhibited on the first floor of the Tokyo Art Club from May 25 to 31.

Furthermore, the first international symposium organized by “KOGEI GENE,” a talent development initiative promoted by the Tokyo Art Club, will be held concurrently on May 22. KOGEI GENE aims to cultivate a new generation of producers capable of reinterpreting and communicating the value of Japanese crafts and classical arts to a global audience, supporting their international reach and distribution. In addition, talk events by distinguished jurors — including Yuji Akimoto, Artistic Director of GO FOR KOGEI, and Yuji Yamashita, Professor at Meiji Gakuin University — will take place on May 21, 23, and 24. On May 23, a tea service event will also be held, where visitors can enjoy matcha served in tea bowls created by participating artists.

This four-day event offers a rare opportunity to experience the beauty of contemporary craft through all five senses. Visitors are invited to attend and experience the dynamic energy that Japanese craft brings to the global art scene.

■ Related information

7 invited artists
Ryuichi Kakurezaki, Hisako Sekijima, Yoshinori Tsuchiya, Masahiro Maeda, Ryo Mikami, Kyusetsu Miwa XIII, Shinya Yamamura

50 recommended artists
Yasuhiro Asai, Hidehito Ito, Wataru Ito, Koichi Uchida, Rina Uchida, Xueyang Wang, Momoo Omuro, Sadanobu Gassan, Takahiro Kato, Ryotaro Kato, Kentaro Kawabata, Kan Kishino, Satoshi Kino, Keiko Kume, Mitsuru Koga, Runa Kosogawa, Kenji Gomi, Takayuki Sakiyama, Ryuhei Sako, Yuko Sawaya, Shuzo Shingu, Suna Fujita, Miao Sun, Nami Takahashi, Saki Tanaka, Shingo Tsukuda, Eri Dewa, Sanae Tokita, Koji Toda, Kenta Toyoumi, Akio Niisato, Keiko Nishimura, Kansai Noguchi, Masaya Hashimoto, Makiko Hattori, Ryuta Fukumura, Kosei Fujikawa, Shinya Hongo, Toshiya Masuda,
Keiko Masumoto, Keita Matsunaga, Masayasu Mitsuke, Haruo Mitsuta, Yo Miyairi, Mai Miyake, Taro Miwa, Yoca Muta, Taiichiro Yoshida, Aki Rusu, Akira Wada

KO+GEI 2026
Dates: May 21 – 24, 2026
Opening hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Venue: Tokyo Art Club, 3rd Floor Hall (6-19-15 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
Admission: Free
Website: https://koplusgei.com
Advance registration (with benefits): https://koplusgei.u-an.co.jp/forms/KvZq40fLnGhGlcnS1Mll

Award announcement: May 24, 2026, 10:00 am
Exhibition of Award-Winning Works: May 25 – 31, 2026
Venue: Tokyo Art Club, 1st Floor

Special Prize jurors:
Yuji Akimoto (Artistic Director, GO FOR KOGEI)
Kikuchi Kanjitsu Memorial Tomo Museum
NIGO^® (Fashion Designer)
Yuji Yamashita (Professor, Meiji Gakuin University)

KOGEI GENE symposium
Date: May 22, 2026, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm (advance reservation required)
Venue: Tokyo Art Club, 4th Floor Hall
Language: Japanese
Streaming: Archive streaming will be available at a later date (no live broadcast)
Organizers: Tokyo Art Club, Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan Arts Council
Website: https://kogeigene.com/

*Advance reservations may be required for certain events. Please check to the official website for details.