You can see this video in What's New too.
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LIVE ONLINE PRESENTATION SCHEDULE
ZOOM presentations by Steve Beimel, JapanCraft21
Free-of-charge
Presentation #1: Japanese Contemporary Glass Artists (new presentation).
Join us for an introduction to the current Glass art scene in Japan through the works of currently popular artists. In addition to stunning images, Steve will attempt to demystify the various production processes involved.
- North America West Coast: Thursday, June 19, 5 pm
- North America East Coast: Thursday, June 19, 8 pm
- Japan: Friday, June 20, 9 am
Register
here:
Presentation #2: Japanese Textiles (combining two of last year’s presentations, Textiles I and Textiles II)
Join us for an exploration of one of the world’s oldest and most diverse traditions of master craft textiles, that have existed in Japan long before recorded history, including those made from wisteria, banana leaf fiber, elm, alder, ramie, hemp, and kudzu, and later on from silk, white cotton, and ramie. Beyond the rich history of woven textiles up to the present, Steve will also cover textile dyeing — sakizome, textiles made from pre-dyed yarn, and atozome, textiles dyed or decorated on woven white cloth.
- North America West Coast: Tuesday, June 24, 5 pm
- North America East Coast: Tuesday, June 24, 8 pm
- Japan: Wednesday, June 25, 9 am
Register
here:
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LATEST PRESS COVERAGES
Channel Japan by Nikkei - Award ceremony highlights, including interviews with Steve Beimel, Takamatsu-san, and Takemi-san, etc.
Tailor with Overseas Experience Wins Top Prize - The Japan News (Mar 29, 2025)
Taichiro Takamatsu, a tailor from Toyama, won the Ronnie Prize, the highest award i the 4th JapanTraditional Craft Revitalization Contest. Please read the whole article here.
Supporters Fighting to Preserve Traditional Japanese Craftsmanship; JapanCraft21 Trying to Keep Next Generation Going - The Japan News (Mar 29, 2025)
Please read the whole article here.
Updates on Suzu-yaki Communal Kiln Project - The Japan News (Nov 30, 2024)
Steve officially presented craftsman Takashi Shinohara with a certificate representing the $25,000 donation, collected from our members, to rebuild a traditional Suzy-yaki kiln, which had been destroyed by the January 1 Noto Peninsula Earthquake.
Please read The Japan News Article for more details.
OUR PURPOSE
To revitalize traditional Japanese master crafts
(dentō kōgei
伝統工芸)
by identifying
issues faced by artisans and implementing solutions for the 21st Century.
JapanCraft21 was created to reverse the rapid decline of traditional Japanese crafts. In addition to helping to create a school of advanced traditional building skills, we have launched a series of Japan Traditional Craft Revitalization Contests, each designed to revive a traditional Japanese craft so that it flourishes in the 21st century. Learn More at What We Do.
Traditional Craft
Revitalization Contest
Our Japan Traditional Craft Revitalization Contests search for exceptional project ideas from individuals with outstanding talent, track records and passion, and provide them with a broad and significant support package.
We co-founded the School of Traditional Building Arts in Kyoto to teach rapidly disappearing building skills. Our intensive yearlong courses are held on Sundays to accommodate young working trades people. We teach joinery to carpenters, bamboo mud-wall construction to plasterers, advanced courses in Japanese garden building & maintenance, and training in natural lacquer. JC21 provides full scholarships to all students.
JapanCraft21 is committed to
educating young up-and-coming crafts people in such projects as our School for Traditional Building Arts, and to educating the public about the value of fine Japanese Master Crafts through social media and our online magazine
Japan Living Arts. Also, in order to maximize our effectiveness in achieving our craft revitalization vision, it is imperative that we educate both our staff and our membership. We accomplish this with regular online lectures for our members & private cultural events for our patrons.
The RONNIE Prize is awarded to the first place winner in our Japan Traditional Craft Revitalization Contests, and consists of 5 million yen ($50,000) in project funding for the winning project aiming to revitalize a craft for the 21st Century. The trophy given to each Ronnie Prize winner was created by renowned Japanese sculptor, Kan Yasuda. The work crafted from white statuary marble is entitled Tempi, meaning "mysteries of heaven."
2023 Revitalization Contest Finalists・Craft Leaders
2022 Revitalization Contest Finalists・Craft Leaders
2021 Revitalization Contest Finalists・Craft Leaders
Our Presentation
Asia Society Symposium
Learn more about Japanese Arts & Crafts
A crafts-related website celebrating the Japanese entering into a new “Golden Age” of culture, with time honored arts and crafts, moving rapidly and appropriately into 21st Century life.
Our Alliances
What You Can Do
We have opportunities beyond donating to help support the arts. Find out more here.
