Celebrating Excellence: Official Award Plates for TOKYO LIGHTS 2026

In the heart of Ota City, Tokyo, a remarkable collaboration has emerged among eight local specialized manufacturing companies, culminating in the creation of five distinctive prize plates for the prestigious "TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 / 1minute Projection Mapping Competition". Organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 Executive Committee, this esteemed event is set to take place from May 23 to May 31, 2026, with the awards ceremony scheduled for May 30.

Project Overview

Muso Industries Co., Ltd., under the leadership of CEO Tetsuharu Obari, has meticulously crafted these award plates to honor the top five teams selected from 412 entries submitted from 65 countries and regions. The plates will be presented at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, an iconic venue for a showcase of global talent in projection mapping.

Competition Details

- Event Name: TOKYO LIGHTS 2026 / 1minute Projection Mapping Competition
- Organizer: Tokyo Metropolitan Government
- Total Entries: 412 from 65 countries
- Finalists: 18 teams
- Event Dates: May 23-31, 2026
- Awards Ceremony: May 30, 2026, at 19:15-20:50
- Types of Awards: GRAND PRIZE, SECOND PRIZE, THIRD PRIZE, TOKYO TOKYO PRIZE, AUDIENCE PRIZE.

The Plates - A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

The highlight of the award plates is their unique design, combining metal and traditional Edo Kiriko glass. The grand prize plate features a stainless steel (SUS304) base, adorned with intricately cut Edo Kiriko glass by Horiguchi Kiriko. This fusion of craftsmanship emphasizes the marriage between heritage and innovation.

Each of the five plates showcases a different color of glass—green, blue, purple, red, and yellow—against a silver metal backdrop that enhances the vibrancy of the colors when light hits them. The grand prize plate has a diameter of 270mm, while the other four measure 200mm each.

Production Team - Collaboration at Its Best

Art Direction: Midori Ishita

The overall art direction was led by Midori Ishita, the President of the Projection Mapping Association, who has been a pioneer in this field since 2011. Ishita meticulously curated the color and cut patterns of the Edo Kiriko, ensuring a harmonious design that balances aesthetics with functionality.

Metalworking Team - Ota’s Local Factories

Muso Industries played a pivotal role as the project's orchestrator, collaborating with eight local factories specialized in various technical processes. Here’s a breakdown of roles:

- Muso Industries: Oversees orchestration and 3D cutting.
- Sakai Stainless Corporation: Mirror polishing.
- Higuchi Industrial Co.: Sandblasting.
- LTech Co.: Laser marking.
- Jonan Industrial Co.: Laser cutting.
- Sunrise Co.: Anodizing.
- Shiratori Packing Manufacturing Co.: Packing.
- Meiho Co.: Masking sheets.

Muso Industries was responsible for orchestrating the entire team’s efforts, from quality control to coordinating timelines and addressing challenges, which allowed for a swift and efficient production process.

Overcoming Challenges - The Story of Sandblasting

Among the various production phases, the sandblasting process posed a significant challenge when the quality fell short during a trial run. Determined, Muso Industries sought additional partnerships, resulting in a collaborative solution that elevated the production quality to meet expectations.

"Manufacturing rarely goes as planned. This project reinforced the importance of a nearby support network and an unwavering commitment to finding solutions," said Tetsuharu Obari, CEO of Muso Industries.

Decentralized Manufacturing - A New Approach

Muso Industries advocates for "decentralized manufacturing," a model that emphasizes collaboration among specialized companies rather than relying on a single entity to handle the entire production process. In Ota City, numerous factories have honed their skills over decades, fostering an environment where quick exchanges and interactions are feasible, leading to high-quality, complex project execution, as seen in this award plate initiative.

On April 24, 2026, this innovative approach earned accolades at the inaugural Makers Coliseum, underscoring its significance in enhancing local manufacturing capabilities.

Quick Turnaround - Accomplishing the Task in Four Weeks

The rapid completion of these five award plates within just four weeks is a testament to the efficiency of the decentralized development model, allowing concurrent progress on all fronts while Muso Industries managed real-time adjustments.

Conclusion

Tetsuharu Obari encapsulates the spirit of this endeavor: "We see ourselves as the 'orchestrators of local factories.' Just like tuning instruments for harmony, ensuring each segment of the manufacturing process operates optimally is crucial. This project exemplified that philosophy on a grand stage."

For further details about the production stories, including challenges faced during the sandblasting phase and insights into the collaboration with Higuchi Industrial Co., visit our special feature page.

Contact Information

For inquiries related to this project, please reach out to:
Muso Industries Co., Ltd. Communications
Address: 2-13-9 Keihin Island, Ota City, Tokyo 143-0003
Tel: 03-3790-0666
Email: [email protected]
Website: Muso Technologies