#Japan #Tokyo #Traditional Crafts #Japanese art #National Art Center

The Traditional Crafts Exhibition: Celebrating Heritage and Innovation

The Traditional Crafts Exhibition will take place at the National Art Center in Tokyo, from November 26 to December 8, 2025. Organized by the Japan Traditional Crafts Industry Promotion Association, this exhibition invites artisans from designated traditional craft regions to compete and showcase their outstanding craftsmanship and creative ideas.

Exhibition Details

• - Venue: National Art Center, Exhibition Room 1D, Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo
• - Dates: November 26 (Wednesday) - December 8 (Monday), 2025
• - Closed: December 2 (Tuesday)
• - Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (final day open until 1:00 PM)
• - Admission Fee: Free
• - Website: Traditional Crafts Exhibition

Highlights of the Exhibition

1. Prestigious Awards: The exhibition will feature award-winning pieces including the Prime Minister's Award, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Award, and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award.
2. Showcasing Talent: A total of 244 entries from various craft genres will be on display, allowing attendees to appreciate the rich diversity of Japan's traditional crafts.
3. Gallery Talks: For the first time, there will be gallery talks by certified traditional craftsmen, offering insights into the history, techniques, and points of appreciation for the exhibited pieces.

Notable Award-Winning Pieces

Among the 14 award-winning entries is the Prime Minister's Award, presented to the Beppu bamboo crafts artist, Ryozo Otani, for his remarkable work, the Ichiraku Woven Bag. The Speaker of the House of Representatives Award went to Hiroyuki Yoshida for his Ishikawa Wajima lacquerware, the Ichimatsu Nizai S器, while the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award was awarded to Yamaguchi Kyujo Co. for their Mikokoro Senkiku Takaoka copperware.

Diverse Exhibitions of Traditional Crafts

This exhibition features all 244 entries, including the award-winning pieces, showcasing a diverse range of crafts such as textiles, ceramics, lacquerware, metalwork, woodwork, and stone crafts from 90 different production areas. Visitors of all ages, from young artisans to seasoned craftsmen over 100 years old, will have the unique opportunity to witness the forefront of traditional crafting.

First Gallery Talk Series

Taking place on weekends during the exhibition, six gallery talks will be conducted by traditional crafts specialists on the theme, What Are Traditional Crafts? These specialists will elucidate the history, techniques, and appreciation points of various crafts explored during each session.

• - November 29 (Saturday): 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Topic: What Are Traditional Crafts? - Kimono Edition
• - November 30 (Sunday): 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Topic: What Are Traditional Crafts? - Woodcraft Edition
• - November 30 (Sunday): 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Topic: What Are Traditional Crafts? - Lacquerware Edition
• - December 6 (Saturday): 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Topic: What Are Traditional Crafts? - Metalwork Edition
• - December 7 (Sunday): 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Topic: What Are Traditional Crafts? - Various Crafts Edition
• - December 7 (Sunday): 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Topic: What Are Traditional Crafts? - Ceramics Edition

About the Japan Traditional Crafts Industry Promotion Association

Founded in 1975 under the Traditional Crafts Industry Promotion Act, the Japan Traditional Crafts Industry Promotion Association supports the revitalization of traditional crafts across the nation. It operates the Aoyama Square, which connects artisans with consumers. The Association plays a critical role in promoting Japan’s traditional craftsmanship and preserving its cultural heritage.

Understanding Traditional Crafts

The designation of traditional crafts reserves specific criteria: these items must be primarily used in daily life, involve significant handmade processes, use techniques that have been practiced for over a century, employ materials that have been in use for more than a century, and the production regions must maintain a certain scale. In total, 244 items have currently received this designation as of November 2025.

For more information about traditional crafts and the upcoming exhibition, visit our website: Traditional Crafts Exhibition.