Recently, artisans have been working on ways to revive traditional Japanese craftsmanship, with some of their contemporary creations garnering international recognition.
Veterans Kunihiko Moriguchi and Kichizaemon, for example, have been experimenting with traditional pottery styles, such as Raku ware, to make them more appealing to today's consumers, while artisans Akira Yagi and Tatsusuke Kuriki are working on dispelling the stereotype of Japanese handicrafts being old-fashioned. These artists, and others, strive to express their point of view through exhibitions and contributions of their works to museums both in Japan and abroad; Sept. 15-Dec. 2.
Crafts Gallery, The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; (03) 5777-8600; 1-1 Kitanomaru-koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Takebashi Station, Tozai Line. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. ¥500. Closed Mon (except Sep 17, Oct 8), Sep 18, Oct 9. www. momat.go.jp .
