KOGEI Topics

The Bizen Pottery Museum was reborn and held its grand opening as the “Bizen City Museum of Art” on July 12, 2025. In addition to showcasing contemporary ceramics, especially Bizen ware, the museum will present a diverse range of artworks, including contemporary art, architecture, and design from around the world. With the goal of becoming a cultural creation hub for the region, the museum also se...

NOUSAKU, known for its 100% tin tableware and brass interior cast items, and NS by NOUSAKU, a jewelry brand exploring the possibilities of materials and design through the innovative material “Tin Gold,” come together in a new concept store. This multi-brand store, “NOUSAKU / NS by NOUSAKU,” will open on Friday, July 18, 2025, on the 3rd floor of the Galleria in Tokyo Midtown. It marks...

Shitsurindo, an Echizen lacquerware manufacturer based in Fukui Prefecture, and ZOZO NEXT, a company engaged in research and development that leverages technology in fashion industry, have announced the launch of a joint research initiative. This collaboration aims to develop new lacquer techniques that merge traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology.Since its founding in 1793, Shitsu...

Renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and delicate, vivid paintings, “Nabeshima ware” is regarded one of the finest porcelain in Japan. As it marks its 350th anniversary this year, a series of commemorative initiatives are planned.Nabeshima ware traces its origin to the Edo period when the Saga Domain gathered 31 of the most skilled artisans from across Japan to produce gifts and tributes for...

JTB Corp., under commission from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center, has launched and operates a reservation website for traditional craft experiences in Tokyo within the JTB LAPITA platform. This website is available in both Japanese and English, making it accessible to international visitors. This initiative aligns with the evo...

Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture is globally renowned as the birthplace of Wajima lacquerware, a traditional Japanese craft. Following the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in January 2024, local artisans lost their workshops and tools, making it difficult for them to continue their craft. In response, Wedgwood, a British Royal Warrant brand with 265 years of history rooted in craftsmanship, artistry an...

Tsugaru lacquerware, a traditional craft of Aomori Prefecture, is known for its painstakingly thorough process of applying and polishing lacquer repeatedly, earning it the nickname “baka-nuri” (foolish coating). The film “Tsugaru Lacquer Girl” explores human relationships through the lens of Tsugaru lacquerware, set in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. The protagonist, Miyako, works ai...

Shitsurindo, a manufacturer based in the Kawada area of Sabae, Fukui Prefecture, one of Japan’s leading lacquerware production areas, has been engaged in the production and sale of Echizen lacquerware. Founded in 1793, the company has a long history and in 2023, the 230th anniversary of its founding, was certified as a purveyor to Daihonzan Eiheiji temple, which is also located in Echizen. In addi...

The Japan Ceramic Society, a public interest incorporated association, has announced the winners of the 2023 Japan Ceramic Society Awards. The Japan Ceramic Society Awards are presented to the most outstanding artist of the year with the Japan Ceramic Society Award, and the Gold Prize is given to veteran artist who has made significant contributions to the ceramic art world or to artist who has al...

Since its founding in 1816 as a producer of metal pots or yakan in Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata Prefecture, Gyokusendo has been producing items using the hammering technique of copperware. In recent years, Gyokusendo has actively engaged in industrial tourism, allowing visitors to experience the charm of craftsmanship in the production area.Following the Tsubame flagship store in Tsubame City, Niigata P...

The Tsutsumi Asakichi Urushi Store, founded in Kyoto in 1909, procures, refines, blends, and colors lacquer sap. As well as handling the sales of lacquer art materials and tools. The store has developed its own lacquer with superior weather resistance, which has been employed for the restoration of National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties such as the Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Himeji Cas...

Aizawa Wood Works was founded in 1974 in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, as a woodturner specializing in making wooden vessels for lacquerware. They produce various items using a wide range of wood processing techniques, including sashimono (joinery), magemono (bentwood), rokuro (spinning lathe), and kurimono (hollowing). They also place emphasis on their original brands, which are popular for the na...