21st Annual Exhibition of the Edogawa Traditional Craft Industry, Academia, and Public Project

On Saturday and Sunday, December 23–24, 2023, the 21st annual exhibition of the Edogawa Traditional Craft Industry, Academia, and Public Project was held at Tower Hall Funabori.

The Edogawa Traditional Craft Industry, Academia, and Public Project is a long-running collaboration between traditional craft artisans in Edogawa City and students from Joshibi University of Art and Design. Together, they create new works of traditional craft that suit modern lifestyles. The project began in 2003 and is now in its 21st year. In 2008, it received a Good Design Award in recognition of its achievements.

During the exhibition, many visitors came to view the pieces, clearly moved by the impressive collaborations between students and craftspeople that blended design and traditional technique.

Visitors were also invited to vote in a public survey, with the most popular work among the 36 entries receiving the Edogawa Prize (Grand Prize). In addition, two works were selected by faculty members from Joshibi University for the Faculty Award (Excellence Award).

This year’s award-winning entries are as follows—all praised for their originality and modern appeal.

【Award-Winning Works】

Edogawa Prize (Grand Prize)
Title: Manazashi (A Tender Gaze) // single-stem vase

Craft: Dyeing
Artisan: Kusanagi Keiko
Design Student: Yamazaki Risa (Joshibi University of Art and Design)
Concept: The cat motif is made with suminagashi (floating ink dyeing), a technique that creates one-of-a-kind patterns. That uniqueness was used to symbolize the singular love from parent to child. The design shows a kitten captivated by a flower, gently watched over by its parent. From any angle, the parent cat’s gaze is fixed lovingly on the kitten.

Faculty Award (Excellence Award)
Title: Mizu no kuma-san (Water Bear)

Craft: Metalwork
Artisan: Yokotsuka Yutaka
Design Student: Tajima Chigusa (Joshibi University of Art and Design)
Concept: Mizu no kuma-san is made of tin, a material with unique qualities, and was created with the idea of making metal more familiar in everyday life. When placed in water, it helps flowers last longer; when added to sake, it smooths the flavor. A small something extra for everyday living.

Title: Uchu hiko (Spaceflight)

Craft: Edo furin (Edo wind chimes)
Artisan: Shinohara Yukari
Design Student: Torihara Misaki (Joshibi University of Art and Design)
Concept: This wind chime is designed after an astronaut. Its helmet-like shape and the starry interior give the impression of someone gazing out into space. At night, placed by a window, it floats in the moonlight like an astronaut drifting through the stars.

In addition to these, many more inventive and beautifully crafted new works were on display.

You can see the full lineup on the official site:
https://www.city.edogawa.tokyo.jp/e032/shigotosangyo/project/event/21shinsaku/happyokai.html

Please keep up to date with the project as it supports and advances the culture and industries of the region.