KOGEism 2026
Material & Mind Exhibition
Material is philosophy.
Craft is a question for the future.
When traditional craftsmanship meets contemporary design, craft opens itself to new possibilities.
Bringing together artists from Japan and France, the exhibition explores how materials, techniques, and ideas intersect to shape craft for the future of everyday life.
Exhibition Information
Venue 1
AXIS Gallery
5-17-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Dates: September 16 (Wed) – September 24 (Thu), 2026
Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Admission:
General: ¥1,000
Students (including university students): Free
Venue 2
Ginza Tsutaya Books (GINZA SIX 6F)
6-10-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Dates: October 3 (Sat) – October 27 (Tue), 2026
Hours: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Admission: Free
Organizer: 4D Co., Ltd.
Co-organizer: Tanoshii Museum Co., Ltd.
Supported by: Embassy of France in Japan, Institut français, Hokkoku Shimbun
Participating Artists: Approximately 20 craft artists from Japan and France
About KOGEism
KOGEism began in 2024 through encounters with Japanese craft artists.
As we traveled across Japan and engaged with traditional materials and techniques, we came to realize that craft is more than a cultural heritage—it is a living philosophy that continues to evolve with time.
KOGEism is an international initiative that crosses cultures, materials, and techniques to explore a simple yet profound question:
What does craft mean for the way we will live in the future?
KOGEism 2026 Message
The inaugural edition of KOGEism begins with a collaboration between Japan and France.
In 2017, the exhibition Living National Treasures of France at the Tokyo National Museum invited Japanese craft practitioners to reconsider the meaning of craftsmanship across cultures.
France has the Maître d'Art program, inspired by Japan's Living National Treasure system. Rather than recognizing technique alone, it honors the individuals who embody and pass on exceptional cultural knowledge.
Although Japan and France share a deep respect for materials and making, each tradition has evolved within its own cultural landscape.
By encountering these differences, we are invited not only to understand one another, but also to rediscover where we ourselves stand today.
Artist
Participating Artists
