The term kōgei encompasses a spectrum of Japanese crafts made from various materials like ceramics, lacquerware, and woodworking—all hand-made utilizing techniques passed down through generations that blend exquisite skill and artistic expression with utilitarian purpose.
Some of these traditional skills take years to master, and with the demand for classical crafts decreasing, kōgei faces the threat of extinction. Therefore, teaching kōgei to students and artists in the modern age is critical for the discipline’s survival, now more than ever.
Join Yuji Akimoto, professor emeritus at Tokyo University of the Arts and MUFG Kogei Project general supervisor, Janice Katz, curator of Japanese Art at the Art Institute of Chicago, and four practicing kōgei artists, as they discuss the history of kōgei and the importance of Japanese crafting traditions to future innovation.
Captioning in English will be provided for this program. If you have any questions, please reach out to corporaterelations@artic.edu.