I went to see it! The 66th Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store

Traditional crafts. It is by no means a stuffy exhibition. Although it is called traditional, it is an exhibition where you can enjoy up close brand-new works created by many artists who are living in the same time as us, right now. And it's free!

◎The reason I decided to go see it was the E-Tele "Sunday Art Museum" broadcast on 9/22/19

In the program, they visited the workshops of the artists who created the works, listened to their production processes and behind-the-scenes stories about the award-winning works, and that made me really want to see the real things.

I am always curious about what kind of person made it, what inspired them, and how they made it, so I was glued to the program.

◎Why crafts?

・Simply because they are beautiful and wonderful designs.

I especially like raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) using lacquer and shells, cloisonné, and kirikane (gold leaf cutting). They are glossy and sparkling. I also like glass as a material.

・Because behind the beauty of each individual work, you can see the magnificent handiwork techniques that have been passed down continuously, as well as the Japanese sensibility that has used the changing seasons and nature as motifs.

・Because you can see the way of life of "artists" and "craftsmen" who have acquired wonderful skills and are aiming even higher. It is just too cool.

◎What kind of exhibition is it?

An exhibition where works that have won awards or were selected for the "Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition," which is held once a year, are displayed together by the following categories.

・Ceramics (tea bowls, plates, vases for flower arranging, etc.)

・Textile dyeing (kimonos, obis, Japanese accessories, etc.)

・Lacquerware (vessels and containers decorated with lacquer, etc.)

・Metalwork (plates and vases made of metal, kettles used in the tea ceremony, kimono obi clips, etc.)

・Wood and bamboo crafts (wooden tables and plates, baskets and boxes made of woven bamboo, etc.)

・Dolls (materials include paper, clay, wood, ceramics, etc.)

・Other crafts (glass, cloisonné, and even inkstones used in calligraphy!)

After the war, craft techniques were on the verge of disappearing completely. To protect and pass them on, the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties was enacted in 1950, and there is a history of the country protecting and fostering craft techniques of particularly high historical or artistic value.

This exhibition is in its 66th year. It has been held by the Japan Kogei Association since 1954, but this was my first time going to see it. (I watched the feature on "Sunday Art Museum" last year too, but the venues I could go to had already finished... tears)

What is the venue like?

I spent about an hour and a half there around noon on the weekend, and I think the majority of the visitors were in their 50s or older. Since it was held inside a department store and was free, it seemed like many people just wandered in. I really think it's great to have opportunities like this where people can easily and broadly see authentic works, even if they just happen to wander in.

The works weren't kept in pretentious glass cases; the delicate bamboo craft area only had small acrylic enclosures about 40 to 50 centimeters high. Other than that, there was nothing blocking the view, and I was able to observe them closely enough to touch them if I wanted to. This is something unique to contemporary works!

Summary

When you hear the words "traditional crafts," what comes to mind? Lacquer bowls or pottery like this or that?

When people say "crafts," it suddenly feels like a distant existence, like an art object meant only for viewing. It's not part of daily life. You don't really get your hands on them, do you? Is it the image of souvenirs at tourist spots or gifts handled on the upper floors of department stores? Even if you wanted to buy one with your own money, you'd be left wondering, "Wait, how much does this cost? (scary)," because it's a world where the price range is unclear.

By visiting this time, I wanted to change that feeling of distance and the image that it's hard to get into because I don't understand it. I want to do something, even though I'm just an outsider, so that the creators and their crafts can continue into the future! In particular, I wanted to support the young artisans and artists of my own generation who are just starting out!

So, first of all, I wrote this here. The exhibition will tour 11 locations across the country over the next six months. Please go and see the real thing up close.

Note: It seems that on this website, you can also view a list of past works by each artist. It's subtly wonderful. I think this kind of thing is important.

・2019.10.02–2019.10.07 Nagoya Sakae Mitsukoshi, 7th Floor, Event Hall

・2019.10.09–2019.10.14 Kyoto Takashimaya, 7th Floor, Grand Hall

・2019.10.25–2019.11.04 Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art

・2019.11.06–2019.11.11 Osaka Takashimaya, 7th Floor, Event Hall

・2019.11.14–2019.12.01 Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art

・2019.12.04–2019.12.25 Shimane Art Museum

・2020.01.02–2020.01.19 The Kagawa Museum

・2020.01.22–2020.01.27 Sendai Mitsukoshi, Main Building 7th Floor Hall

・2020.02.04–2020.02.09 Fukuoka Mitsukoshi

・2020.02.13–2020.03.01 Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum

▼By the way, the exhibition catalog I bought (right) was ¥2,160

It contains all 578 works, with content like a photo book featuring everything in color.

At the venue, catalogs from the past few years, related books, and various introductory books on crafts were also on sale.