Behance, the world’s largest creative social media network, has started a new project to promote Japanese traditional culture and arts and crafts to the world. Works on Behance will be transformed into NFTs, with the goal to establish a new way for traditional craftsmen to profit from their work.
Japan’s traditional arts and crafts are well-known by many around the world. On the other hand, challenges still remain as many regions’ traditional manufacturing industries are digitized. Sharing more detailed information about these crafts with overseas markets has also been difficult.
According to the “Survey on the Revitalization of Local Traditional Manufacturing Industries” published by the Development Bank of Japan in 2018, Japan’s traditional arts and crafts industry peaked around 1980. Due to the recession caused by the burst of the bubble economy, the rise of inexpensive foreign products, and changes in lifestyle, the amount of production has been declining year by year. Compared with the peak period, current production has dropped to one-fifth or about 100 billion yen. The workers involved in traditional crafts are also aging, making it difficult to pass on their skills to younger creators.
On Behance, users can not only get inspiration from other people’s work but can also publish their own works and receive helpful feedback and comments. Marketing professionals also use Behance to find creators for campaigns and collaborations, and previously, a Japanese creator who had uploaded his work to the social media site was asked to illustrate the cover of the New York Times.
This project is designed to promote traditional Japanese arts and crafts in the hopes of supporting their continued development in the face of many difficult conditions.
RELATED ENTRIES
-
monopo Collaborates with Kyoto-Based Brand Shokuraku Asano to Share Traditional Japanese Textiles with the World
Global creative agency monopo is teaming up with Shokuraku Asano, a 100-year-old obi maker from Kyoto! The company is working to create a digital experience for interested viewers, sharing each artisan’s personal story. Those who love Japanese culture are welcome to enjoy traditional Japanese crafts in an entirely new way! Using a one-of-a-kind QR obi, a new storytelling method is showing off the hard work and love that goes into the company’s textiles. A special website and video allow interested viewers to experience the process of making an obi digitally, simply by using their smartphone. Even those unable to visit Japan to see these obi in person can dive into the history of the area’s textiles and become more acquainted with one part of Kyoto’s manufacturing culture.Kyoto was the ancient capital of Japan. The city is known for its history and preservation of Japanese culture, and prior to the pandemic, the city was constantly filled with visitors from around the world anxious to learn more about the country’s traditional culture. When the pandemic hit the world in 2020, it changed the city forever–tourists disappeared and the city became much quieter. Now that Japan has opened its borders, however, tourists are returning in droves. While Shokuraku Asano upholds tradition, it also seeks to leave a mark on new generations by embracing new technology. This unique project is worth noting, so get your smartphone out and start learning! We applaud monopo's attempt to share this incredible traditional Japanese craftsmanship with people around the world. Information
monopo × Shokuraku Asano
Official Site: https://obiproject.monopo.net/
Video Link: https://vimeo.com/724915502 -
A Doraemon version of Hiroshige’s 1833 ukiyo-e painting Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido Hoeido Edition (Rainstorm) will be available to order on October 29! This work is said to be one of the most famous paintings by the artist, who was considered the last great master of ukiyo-e.
The painter was best known for his depiction of rainscapes, and many of his paintings pushed the envelope of traditional art. This painting shows Ise Province, what is now present-day Mie Prefecture. Doraemon and his friends have been expertly placed into the famous piece of art, desperately climbing a steep hill during a sudden evening shower. For Doraemon and Nobita, the rain is a chance to have fun. Looking at the piece, viewers can see an image of hope in tough times and can remember that with friends, anything is possible and any difficulties can be overcome. The piece is made from high-quality materials, and you won’t want to miss ordering one of these rare works of art! Information
Doraemon Ukiyo-e / Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido Hoeido Edition (Rainstorm)
Orders Open: October 29, 2022 at 12:00
Price: ¥45,000 (Excluding tax and shipping charges)
Number Available: 300
Echizen-Manufactured Washi Paper Provided by Iwano Ichibei
Online Shop: http://ukiyoework.com/ -
At the 5th annual Kyoto Ani-Monozukuri Awards 2022, a collection of Attack on Titan playing cards made in traditional Japanese style took the Gold Prize in the Craft Design category. In Japanese, monozukuri means ‘to make something by hand.’ The Kyoto Ani-Monozukuri Awards aims to revitalize business between the anime industry and local companies and organizations. It honors outstanding collaborative products, inviting those with a creative streak to try their luck at designing something uniquely anime-inspired. This year’s awards show saw 157 total entries, with one winning the grand prize, seven winning both gold and silver, and six winning bronze. Charaditional Toys was launched this year, and the company aims to create items for adults who love anime characters. The Gold Award was granted to the company after judges were inspired by the traditional Japanese craftsmanship and high quality shown in the final product. Made by Oishi Tengudo, a company founded in Kyoto in 1800, the cards were made using classic methods. These 48 original playing cards are like nothing fans of Attack on Titan have seen before. A second project is scheduled for release in winter 2022, so stay tuned!
©諫山創・講談社／「進撃の巨人」The Final Season製作委員会 Information
Attack on Titan x Original Playing Cards
Price: Wooden Box Version ¥3,800 / Framed Version ¥18,000 (Both Excluding tax)
Details/Purchase: https://charaditional-toy.myshopify.com
-
Born in Niigata and living in London, international singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama released her second album Hold The Girl on September 16. The album is Sawayama’s first in two and a half years and was written and recorded over the past year and a half. With an overarching pop sound, the album blends other genres expertly, from country, electro, and R&B to folk, metal, and rock. Hold The Girl manages to track Sawayama’s personal growth, sharing her goals for the future while fully accepting her past. The album has already received rave reviews from media outlets worldwide, including Rolling Stone, The Times, DIY, The Mail on Sunday, and more. “Among contemporary pop stars, Rina Sawayama certainly stands out,” The Times reads. Sawayama has also announced that she will hold her first solo Japan tour in January 2023, stopping in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. Her performance at Summer Sonic 2022 was a smash hit, so don’t miss your chance to see her live if you couldn’t make it!
Information
Hold the Girl – Rina Sawayama (2nd Album, Released September 16)
Stream/Purchase: https://umj.lnk.to/RinaSawayama_HoldTheGirl
Japan Tour Dates:
January 17, 2023 – Diamond Hall, Nagoya
January 18, 2023 – Zepp Osaka Bayside, Osaka
January 20, 2023 – Tokyo Garden Theater, Tokyo
Details: https://www.livenation.co.jp/artist-rina-sawayama-1159943
-
PREMICO is known for creating collaborations between popular anime characters and traditional Japanese crafts. Now, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Sailor Moon, some special items are available from around Japan at the PREMICO online store. Special anniversary items created by master craftsmen around Japan are now available to order, all inspired by the theatrical release Sailor Moon Eternal. These five items come from Fukushima Prefecture, Ishikawa Prefecture, Tokyo, Kagawa Prefecture, and Fukuoka Prefecture, and you can see details of each below!
Be sure to get your hands on some of these exclusive collaboration items! Fukushima Prefecture - Aizu Lacquer Music Box
Aizu lacquer ware has a history of over 400 years in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture. Sailor Moon’s Crisis Moon Compact has been painted on glossy black lacquer, and the symbols of the ten Sailor Soldiers surround it. By opening the lid, fans will hear the show’s theme song, Moonlight Densetsu. Ishikawa Prefecture - Kutani ware Dishes (Set of 3)
Kutani ware, a style of Japanese porcelain, is produced in the Kaga region of Ishikawa Prefecture. The vivid colors seen on these plates were inspired by the brightness of the Sailor Moon franchise. The set includes three plates: one inspired by the inner soldiers, one featuring both the inner and outer soldiers, and one displaying everyone’s favorite cats, Luna, Artemis, and Diana. Tokyo - Edo Faceted Glass
This Edo faceted glassware depicts the twinkling of the stars, each made with care by a dedicated craftsman. Two colors are available: a light crimson color with the symbols of the inner soldiers and Super Sailor Chibi Moon and a lapis lazuli color with the symbols of the outer soldiers. Kagawa Prefecture - Wooden Kagawa Lacquerware Bowls (Set of 2)
Kagawa lacquerware is characterized by its use of colorful lacquer to create delicate and detailed patterns. This pair of bowls feature the symbols of Super Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask on bright vermilion and black backgrounds. From the Crisis Moon Compact and the Silver Crystal to the famous Mask, these bowls are decorated with gorgeous gold and silver coloring and traditional maki-e finishing. Fukuoka Prefecture - Hakata Woven Long Wallet
Hakata cloth is a silk fabric made by weaving a thin warp yarn and a thicker weft yarn together in a tightly-packed weave to create a stiff, ribbed appearance. This beautiful wallet features feminine colors and powerful symbols such as the legendary silver crystal and the inner soldier’s symbols, along with a golden crescent moon. (c)武内直子・PNP／劇場版「美少女戦士セーラームーンEternal」製作委員会 Information
Details/Order: https://iei.jp/sailor-kougei/
-
Taisho Pharmaceuticals has announced a new flavor of Vicks Medicated Drops available only in Japan! The Matcha flavor will be available starting October 1, 2022.
VICKS Medicated Drops are lozenges perfect to relieve sore throats, and in an attempt to make a product for everyone’s taste, 14 flavors have been developed so far–five fruit types, three refreshing types, and six sugarless types. Matcha has become a more popular flavor among both young and old people in recent years, and this Japan-only flavor is sure to be a hit. The active ingredient, CPC, disinfects and sterilizes the mouth, so the next time you feel a cold coming on, try one of these lozenges out. Information
VICKS Medicated Drops (Matcha)
Release Date: October 1, 2022
Brand Site: https://brand.taisho.co.jp/vicks/