An exhibition of works by ceramic artist Hitoshi Morimoto from Bizen, Okayama Prefecture, was held at SORA Gallery in Himonya, Tokyo. This was Hitoshi’s second exhibition at SORA in three years, and his first solo show there following a joint exhibition earlier. Approximately 300 pieces were showcased, including tableware, sake ware, tea ware, and flower vases. The flower vases were adorned with b...

“Zen” is a widely known word overseas, similar to wabi-sabi. Owing to the influence of Steve Jobs, it is one of the Eastern spiritualities that continues to pique the interest of people in the Western world. When you hear the word “Zen,” often the first thing that comes to mind is “Zazen,” or seated meditation. Zen is short for “Zen Buddhism,” origin...

“Révélations,” the international fine crafts and creation biennial organized by Ateliers d’Art de France, is coming back for its 6th edition. The event for the contemporary creation sector has started in 2013 and celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. It will be taken place from June 7 to 11, 2023 at the Grand Palais Éphémère in the heart of Paris, facing the Eiffel Tower. For 5 day...

As you learn more about the Japanese sense of beauty, you will come to realize that the Japanese people possess at their core a fundamental shizenkan, or “view on nature.” Japanese people find the falling cherry blossoms beautiful, not simply because of their beautiful colors or scenery, but because seeing that makes them feel the impermanence of the world, as if everything is in a state of flux. ...

The exhibition of the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize 2023 will be held from May 17 to June 18, 2023, in New York. The 30 finalist’s work for the prize will go on display in Isamu Noguchi’s Studio at The Noguchi Museum. The venue was at the center of Noguchi’s artistic practice in the United States during the last decades of his life. The space has not been open to the public before, and the LOEWE FO...

Gato Mikio Co., Ltd. was founded in 1908 as a woodworking factory in Yamanaka Onsen, Ishikawa Prefecture, a region known for its wood turning production. With excellent planning and sales capabilities, the company has actively developed products that combine traditional techniques with quality design to spread the charm of Yamanaka lacquerware both domestically and internationally.The “Gato Mikio ...

How did you spend your childhood and school age years? What were your interests and encounters with pottery?I was a child who loved to draw. I drew pictures and cartoons. I had no experience with ceramics, but since my father was from Saga Prefecture, most of the tableware we used at home was simple Arita ware. My father would tell me, “This is good stuff.” One of my father’s relatives...

Discover, Acquire, Enjoy – The Appreciation of Tea Ware has been released by Abe Publishing Ltd. in April 2023. Specializing in ceramic arts, the quarterly journal Honoho Geijutsu or The Art of Fire was first published in 1982. It covers the history and techniques of pottery with high quality photographs and in-depth explanations of artists’ works. Its annual special issue is always well-received ...

A cross-disciplinary collaboration was realized through the encounter between Kengo Kuma, a world-renowned architect and Noriko Tsuiki, a textile designer who has restored and revived Kokura-ori. The launch of a new interior textile brand of Kokura-ori, “KUMASHIMA” was announced. KUMASHIMA is a textile primarily used for architecture, interior design, and furniture, which has been considered chall...

Junichiro Tanizaki’s essay In Praise of Shadows, published in 1933, is one of the books that introduced Japanese aesthetics to the world. Written in a unique style, the book highlights the importance of dim light and shadow in the Japanese lifestyle. It has become a must-read for foreigners interested in Japanese aesthetics, as well as students of art, design, and architecture, and philosoph...

Since its establishment in Nishijin, Kyoto in 1688, HOSOO has inherited the history of Nishijin-ori and has continued to preserve the tradition of Kimono culture. In 2010, HOSOO utilized its unique technology and succeeded in producing new textiles using Nishijin weaving techniques and materials with a 150cm width, the standard fabric width worldwide. Currently, the in-house textile brand of HOSOO...

The “Kōgei Creativity: Living National Treasures Exhibition,” now in its 8th year, will be held at SEIKO HOUSE GINZA Hall (formerly known as WAKO Hall) from April 6 to 23, 2023. The “Important Intangible Cultural Property holders,” widely known as “Living National Treasures,” are the leading figures in their respective fields, having spent many years honing their craft and creating their original ...