KOGEI STANDARD Japanese Crafts Online Media

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...

Artisans who work with glass every day have created new designs, striving to enhance the beauty of glass. These new creations, designed to seamlessly blend into daily life and add a touch of color, have resulted in the birth of 17 series this year.“Hasande hasande” is available in two plate sizes and a small bowl, featuring a beautiful design created by the unevenness of the surface that plays wit...

From February 21 to 26, 2024, an exhibition of woodworking artist Shingo Tsukuda’s works was held at the Yokohama Takashimaya Art Gallery, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. Shingo, who exhibits in various galleries, holds exhibitions at Nihonbashi Takashimaya and Yokohama Takashimaya almost every other year, and this exhibition marked his third solo exhibition. Born in Nagahama, Shiga Prefectur...

The exhibition “Mastering the Art: Exploring the Cultural Messages Connoted in Japanese Works” will be held from March 20 to 24, 2024. It will showcase works by holders of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasures) and artists who preserve craft techniques to pass on to the next generation. The venue is the Former Imperial Guards Headquarters in Kitanomaru Garden, Chiyoda C...

“Shibui” is one of Japan’s traditional aesthetics, expressing a deep-seated charm. Although commonly used to describe flavors, as for tea or wine, the term is versatile and finds its way into everyday language, describing not only taste but also colors or expressions, such as color is “shibui colors” or “wearing a shibui expression.”The kanji character “渋” (shib...