Japanese crafts are at risk of extinction. As natural disasters and societal changes threaten these invaluable cultural assets, are we truly doing enough to safeguard our heritage and support the artisans whose skills and artistry have been nurtured for centuries?

Tomoko Iwaseki, Executive Director of the Creation of Japan (CoJ), has been at the forefront of tackling this issue. An artist by training, Iwaseki and CoJ have created a platform to explore innovative solutions that are both practical and engaging. They envision the ecosystem of Japanese crafts as a river, connecting the artisans and materials upstream to the consumers and supporters downstream, fostering a collaborative and sustainable future. CoJ has hosted Kogei Picnics, conferences, and developed the Japanese-to-English Translation Guidelines for Craft. Through their First Patronage Program (FPP), they have established an innovative platform that gives young, emerging artisans the opportunity and exposure to promote their work.

What will the Japanese craft world look like in a century? Join us at Asia Society to hear about Iwaseki and CoJ’s impact, challenges, and vision to ensure the survival and innovation of crafts that will endure 100 years into the future.

Event and Registration Details

November 25, 2024, 8:00 – 9:15 a.m. (JST)

• This event will be conducted in in-person and online, and registration is required.
• In-person participation is for members and guests only. Please pay your fee by credit card (Visa or Mastercard only) or at the door.
• Online participation is open to the public and free.

Speaker Bio

Tomoko Iwaseki
Managing Director and Executive Director,  The Creation of Japan
Director, Kawamura Arts and Cultural Foundation
President and Art Director, Gallery Sakuranoki
President & CEO, ARTBOND Inc.

Born in 1972, Ms. Iwaseki graduated from the Faculty of Sociology at Hosei University in 1994.  While she was in university, she worked at the family Gallery Sakuranoki and became the president in 2005.  In 2010, she established ARTBOND Inc.  Together with the current representative director, Hideki Hayashida (former Commissioner for Cultural Affairs) she founded The Creation of Japan in 2013.  Ms. Iwaseki is also a board member of the Kawamura Arts and Cultural Foundation, and a member of the Agency for Cultural Affairs' , "Research Project on Traditional Craft Tools and Raw Materials" from 2018 to 2020.