Crafting Beauty in Modern Japan features some of the most beautiful Japanese art-crafts produced during the past 50 years including ceramics, textiles, lacquer, metal, wood, bamboo, glass and dolls.
The exhibition presents works by members of the Japan Art Crafts Association (Nihon Kōgeikai), many of them designated ‘Living National Treasures’ in Japan, a title conferred by the Japanese government on exemplary individuals who carry on Japanese traditions. Crafting Beauty in Modern Japan will demonstrate how the beauty, skill and modernity found in these contemporary pieces draws on the strength of traditional crafts skills.
'Uniquely in the developed world Japan has preserved the most authentic and least self-conscious continuing craft tradition...these beautiful works are masterpieces of the kind of art that is used and appreciated in many Japanese homes every day.'
Grayson Perry, artist
Buy the exhibition catalogue online
Organised with The National Museum of
Modern Art, Tokyo. In association with The National Museum of
Modern Art, Kyoto, Japan Art Crafts Association and The Japan
Foundation.
Supported by Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan
Transportation supported by All Nippon Airways
Project support from The Asahi Shimbun.
Image: Matsubara Yoshichi. Kimono 'Melody' (Senritsu), 1968. Indigo stencil dyeing on silk. Lent by the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo