KŌGEI: ART CRAFT JAPAN, at Philadelphia Museum of Art, through September 9
Vessel with Blue Glaze
Kimura Yoshiro, Japanese, born 1946
, Photo by Philadelphia Museum of Art
Traditional crafts that have been passed down from generation to generation in Japan. The technical prowess has been highly evaluated in the world, and “shokunin katagi” (craftsmanship) is a word that represents Japanese manufacturing. This installation celebrates Japanese kōgei—one-of-a-kind, handcrafted objects made with traditional techniques and natural materials. The works on display highlight the specialized skills of contemporary kōgei artists working in clay, glass, and fabric.