Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Living Traditions: The Past and Future of Kogei
On February 26, 2025, Japan Society, the Japan Institute of Portland Japanese Garden and the Government of Japan hosted the 2025 edition of the annual Living Traditions lecture series.
Artisans, especially those who engage in kogei (traditional crafts), construct the essence of Japanese culture. Kogei are handmade items produced from raw materials collected according to traditional practices and manufactured using traditional techniques. Kogei pieces are common items such as baskets, pottery and lacquerware used in daily life, but the artists who create them often devote their lives to honing their skills, and their works are elevated as art and exhibited in galleries and museums around the globe. However, with changing lifestyles and technologies, it is becoming difficult to maintain kogei culture, and there are fewer and fewer artists who continue their kogei work. Further, on January 1, 2024, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s Noto Peninsula. The Noto Earthquake devastated the famed traditional lacquer city of Wajima and destroyed more than half of the city’s 300 lacquer studios.
Now, just after the one year anniversary of the Noto Earthquake, Japan Society’s annual Living Traditions series explored kogei and its history, evolution and future through a 60-minute in-depth conversation between noted kogei experts and artists.
After the discussion, all attendees were encouraged to interact with our panelists in a reception and view a display of kogei art pieces, including kogei from regions impacted by the Noto Earthquake.
More Info
japansociety.org/events/living-traditions-past-future-kogei
Speakers
Keiji Onihira, an urushi artist from Wajima City
Gen Saratani, a urushi artist living in New York City
Dr. Monika Bincsik, Diane and Arthur Abbey Curator for Japanese Decorative Arts at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dr. Michele Bambling, Senior Director of the Japan Society Gallery
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Visit: japansociety.org/events-and-exhibitions
Like: facebook.com/japansociety
Follow: instagram.com/japansociety
Watch: youtube.com/user/JapanSocietyNYC
Join: japansociety.org/join-support/become-a-member
Learn: japansociety.org/language-center
Living Traditions: The Past and Future of Kogei
On February 26, 2025, Japan Society, the Japan Institute of Portland Japanese Garden and the Government of Japan hosted the 2025 edition of the annual Living Traditions lecture series.
Artisans, especially those who engage in kogei (traditional crafts), construct the essence of Japanese culture. Kogei are handmade items produced from raw materials collected according to traditional practices and manufactured using traditional techniques. Kogei pieces are common items such as baskets, pottery and lacquerware used in daily life, but the artists who create them often devote their lives to honing their skills, and their works are elevated as art and exhibited in galleries and museums around the globe. However, with changing lifestyles and technologies, it is becoming difficult to maintain kogei culture, and there are fewer and fewer artists who continue their kogei work. Further, on January 1, 2024, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s Noto Peninsula. The Noto Earthquake devastated the famed traditional lacquer city of Wajima and destroyed more than half of the city’s 300 lacquer studios.
Now, just after the one year anniversary of the Noto Earthquake, Japan Society’s annual Living Traditions series explored kogei and its history, evolution and future through a 60-minute in-depth conversation between noted kogei experts and artists.
After the discussion, all attendees were encouraged to interact with our panelists in a reception and view a display of kogei art pieces, including kogei from regions impacted by the Noto Earthquake.
More Info
japansociety.org/events/living-traditions-past-future-kogei
Speakers
Keiji Onihira, an urushi artist from Wajima City
Gen Saratani, a urushi artist living in New York City
Dr. Monika Bincsik, Diane and Arthur Abbey Curator for Japanese Decorative Arts at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dr. Michele Bambling, Senior Director of the Japan Society Gallery
------
Visit: japansociety.org/events-and-exhibitions
Like: facebook.com/japansociety
Follow: instagram.com/japansociety
Watch: youtube.com/user/JapanSocietyNYC
Join: japansociety.org/join-support/become-a-member
Learn: japansociety.org/language-center
