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 an opportunity to experience the traditions of Fukawa kilns and the culture of Hagi ware at a hot spring resort in the fa...

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 place from September 15 to October 29, 2023, at three areas along the Fugan Canal, spanning from the center of Toyama to To...

“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 historically associated with cinnabar production; innovative efforts to transform industries primarily centered around ric...

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 exquisite glass artworks. The exhibition showcased a total of 160 pieces, ranging from small obidome (kimono sash clips) an...

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 Japanese house consists of 5 buildings. The development was undertaken by Design Office Sozosya, a company specializing in ur...

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 manufacturer, after graduating from university.For Kenji, glass is, in his words, a “fascinating material that I never...

When discussing the aesthetics of Japanese craftsmanship, there are several essential aspects that cannot be overlooked. One of these is the concept of “Yo-no-bi.” Although commonly translated as “the beauty of everyday things,” the phrase literally means “the beauty of use,” and refers not only to the beauty of the crafts themselves, but also to a beauty inherent in their ...

Kane no Sanzun is a private hotel that opened in 2021, located in a renovated traditional Japanese residence in Takaoka, Toyama Prefecture. Its primary aim is to promote a deeper understanding of Takaoka copperware by incorporating it into daily life through hands-on usage and immersive experiences. The hotel is a meticulously restored 100-year-old minka (traditional townhouse) located in Kanaya-m...

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. ...