[MUFG] MUFG Kogei Project "KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE 2025-26" Finalists Decided

Scene from the opening ceremony of the "KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE 2025-26" final selection.

MUFG (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.) held the final selection for "KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE 2025-26," an initiative to support exhibition and sales opportunities for young craft artists, over two days, June 6 (Sat.) and 7 (Sun.), at the 4th-floor hall of the "TODA BUILDING," a hub for arts and culture. Twenty-two finalists were selected.

As part of its social contribution activities, MUFG has been advancing the "MUFG Kogei Project" since 2023 with the aim of supporting the inheritance of traditional Japanese craft culture and techniques, and learning innovation necessary for an era of change from them. Through these activities, facing the challenge of limited opportunities for作品 (sakuhin - works) presentation and sales, the project "KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE 2024" was held in 2024, targeting young artists to support their creative process, exhibitions, and sales. The second phase, "KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE 2025-26," has expanded its applicant pool nationwide and allows for broader applications without age restrictions. The finalists selected through this final selection will be given the opportunity to exhibit at an exhibition scheduled to be held in August at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store in Tokyo, as well as various other opportunities to expand their activities both domestically and internationally, including exhibitions and speaking engagements at events where the MUFG Kogei Project participates.

In the final selection held this time, presentations of works by young artists who passed the document screening were made from a total of 111 applicants. Active exchanges of opinions took place between supporters and young artists, and valuable feedback and words of encouragement were received from globally active supporters. Additionally, Mr. Chikuan Sai Yoneda, a bamboo craft artist/Artist who served as a supporter in last year's KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE 2024, attended as an observer and offered words of encouragement to the applicants. Following the final selection, a reception was held, where many young artists were seen actively interacting with supporters active at the forefront of the industry. This project strives not only to provide opportunities for exhibition and sales but also to create opportunities for interaction between such supporters and young artists. The 22 finalists selected through the final selection were given the opportunity to participate in an exhibition scheduled to be held in August 2026 at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store in Tokyo, and received words of encouragement from each supporter.

Comments from MUFG Kogei Project "KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE 2025-26" Representative Supporter

Yushi Akimoto Representative Supporter, KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE / General Supervisor, MUFG Kogei Project / Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of the Arts

As artists expand their fields of activity, one of the important elements becomes "connections with people." The world of crafts and art, not just in Japan but globally, is built on relatively small communities. Therefore, human relationships are a very important factor. The key is how effectively one can convey their works and ideas within limited opportunities. In addition to the ability to create excellent works, "communication skills" to convey them to others are also important abilities. It is not just technical skill, but a sincere attitude towards people and personal charm, a comprehensive strength that is reflected in the work itself.

Organizer's Greeting for MUFG Kogei Project "KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE 2025-26"

Akiko Kazarimori General Manager, Corporate Planning Department, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. Chief Corporate Branding Officer

This second iteration, "KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE 2025-26," received over 100 applications from across the country. A major feature of this program is that it not only selects outstanding artists but also provides multifaceted growth opportunities for participants. First, through interaction with experienced senior artists, long-term support relationships can be built. Furthermore, by enabling cross-sectional interaction among participants from different fields and regions, opportunities to gain new perspectives and ideas are created. We also emphasize the creation of opportunities for activities that consider not only Japan but also overseas, and provide support to expand the artists' fields of activity. We will continue to offer various opportunities, so we hope you will continue to challenge yourselves.

Introduction of MUFG Kogei Project "KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE 2025-26" Finalists

"KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE 2025-26" does not have awards such as a grand prize or ranking. The 22 artists finally selected are positioned as "Finalists" (top talents) in this league. Each of the 22 finalists is supported by a supporter who champions their work, and each supporter provides comments in the form of "Recommended Artist/Work." Please view the comments from the following website.

【List of Finalist Works and Recommendation Comments from Supporting Artists】

https://www.mufg.jp/csr/contribution/priorityareas/preservation_and_succession_of_cultures/culture/league/finalists2026/index.html

List of Works and Recommendation Comments

※ Finalist introductions are in Japanese syllabary order (gojuon order).

※ Finalist information (e.g., year of graduation) is as of the application in March 2026.

【Finalist No.1】Yuya Adachi (Graduate School, Kyoto City University of Arts, completed 2025) Work Title | "Zone" (2025) Work Category / Material | Ceramics / Pottery clay, porcelain clay, pigments Work Size | Width 32.9 cm / Depth 0.4 cm / Height 42 cm【Finalist No.2】Momoko Araki (Tajimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center, completed 2024) Work Title | "cross-stitch Small Pot (Kometubutsukusa)" (2026) Work Category / Material | Ceramics / Semi-porcelain clay Work Size | Width 11 cm / Depth 11 cm / Height 12 cm

【Finalist No.3】Yoshino Ando (Tajimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center, completed 2025) Work Title | "Sumu" (2025) Work Category / Material | Ceramics / Pottery clay (red clay) Work Size | Width 13 cm / Depth 16 cm / Height 18 cm【Finalist No.4】Yichan Yi (Musashino Art University, 3rd year) Work Title | "Karada" (2026) Work Category / Material | Fabric / Linen Work Size | Width 28.5 cm / Depth 11 cm / Height 16.5 cm

【Finalist No.5】Rei Inokuma (Tohoku University of Art and Design, graduated 2025) Work Title | "Pop Out" (2024) Work Category / Material | Metal / Copper Work Size | Width 18.8 cm / Depth 9.7 cm / Height 15 cm【Finalist No.6】Yuma Ishii (Kanazawa College of Art Graduate School, completed 2025) Work Title | "Uban" (2026) Work Category / Material | Fabric / Silk, acid dyes, Japanese paper Work Size | Width 58 cm / Depth 0.01 cm / Height 59 cm

【Finalist No.7】Nan Kui (Graduate School, Kyoto City University of Arts, completed 2024) Work Title | "Kodou" (2025) Work Category / Material | Lacquer / Lacquer, cowhide, hemp cloth Work Size | Width 38 cm / Depth 33 cm / Height 32 cm【Finalist No.8】Akika Eguchi (Graduate School, Tokyo University of the Arts, currently enrolled) Work Title | "Box VI" (2026) Work Category / Material | Lacquer / Lacquer, hemp cloth, plywood Work Size | Width 30.1 cm / Depth 8 cm / Height 60.1 cm

【Finalist No.9】Xinran Wang (Graduate School, Tokyo University of the Arts, currently enrolled) Work Title | "Himerareta Nemuri" (2025) Work Category / Material | Lacquer / Lacquer, silver powder, abalone shell, eggshell, charcoal powder Work Size | Width 37 cm / Depth 6 cm / Height 45 cm【Finalist No.10】Reiko Omura (Graduate School, Kanazawa College of Art, currently enrolled) Work Title | "flow02" (2026) Work Category / Material | Metal / Bronze Work Size | Width 42 cm / Depth 44 cm / Height 32 cm

【Finalist No.11】Ayaka Kato (Graduate School, Tama Art University, currently enrolled) Work Title | "Sasaru Inko" (2025) Work Category / Material | Metal / Iron Work Size | Width 25 cm / Depth 27 cm / Height 27 cm【Finalist No.12】Ayano Kato (Ishikawa Prefectural Jewelry Art School, currently enrolled) Work Title | "(in)visible" (2026) Work Category / Material | Metal / Moss agate, quartz, silver 925/999 Work Size | Width 20 cm / Depth 5 cm / Height 80 cm

【Finalist No.13】Haoling Ji (Graduate School, University of the Arts Okinawa, currently enrolled) Work Title | "Tou" (2025) Work Category / Material | Ceramics / Pottery clay, slip, glaze, overglaze painting Work Size | Width 25 cm / Depth 25 cm / Height 70 cm【Finalist No.14】Kazuki Sagawa (Kanazawa Utatsuyama Kogei Kobo, currently enrolled) Work Title | "Kou" (2026) Work Category / Material | Metal / Copper, brass, nickel silver, bronze, silver Work Size | Width 24 cm / Depth 20 cm / Height 32 cm

【Finalist No.15】Mingyeong Jeong (Toyama Institute of Glass Art, currently enrolled) Work Title | "Still breathe" (2026) Work Category / Material | Glass / Glass Work Size | Width 25 cm / Depth 25 cm / Height 25 cm【Finalist No.16】Yori Amioka (Graduate School, Tokyo University of the Arts, completed 2025) Work Title | "sand box♯2" (2025) Work Category / Material | Other (Textile Arts) / Gold thread, hemp thread, silk thread, kite string, wool, embroidery thread, wire, beads, styrofoam Work Size | Width 25 cm / Depth 18 cm / Height 20 cm

【Finalist No.17】Eruhi Niimi (Kanazawa Utatsuyama Kogei Kobo, currently enrolled) Work Title | "Misperception-02" (2025) Work Category / Material | Lacquer / Lacquer, silver powder, hemp cloth Work Size | Width 50 cm / Depth 13 cm / Height 50 cm【Finalist No.18】Yurina Hirao (Graduate School, Hiroshima City University, completed 2023) Work Title | "Kourojo Itten Yuki -Hakubai-" (2025) Work Category / Material | Metal / Silver, copper, gold powder, iron Work Size | Width 13 cm / Depth 14 cm / Height 15 cm

【Finalist No.19】Chao Hosoi (Graduate School, Tama Art University, completed 2024) Work Title | "Ga no Onna" (2025) Work Category / Material | Glass / Glass, enamel, gold leaf Work Size | Width 30 cm / Depth 30 cm / Height 31 cm【Finalist No.20】Riei Miyakawa (Tama Art University, 4th year) Work Title | "Kokyu wo Kioku Suru" (2025) Work Category / Material | Glass / Glass Work Size | Width 42 cm / Depth 37.5 cm / Height 37 cm

【Finalist No.21】Aoiro Miyagi (Kanazawa College of Art, 4th year) Work Title | "morph II" (2025) Work Category / Material | Lacquer / Lacquer, hemp Work Size | Width 43 cm / Depth 45 cm / Height 30 cm【Finalist No.22】Emi Mori (Tokyo University of the Arts, 4th year) Work Title | "Mai Ochi Te" (2025) Work Category / Material | Glass / Glass Work Size | Width 30 cm / Depth 10 cm / Height 60 cm

※ Finalist works will also be posted sequentially on the official Instagram, so please take a look.

MUFG Kogei Project (mufg_kogei_official) Official Instagram

Official Instagram

MUFG Kogei Project "KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE 2025-26" Event Outline

・Title : KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE 2025-26

・Organizer : Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

・Special Cooperation : Mitsukoshi Isetan Co., Ltd.

・Application Period : December 8, 2025 (Mon) - March 2, 2026 (Mon) 5:00 PM

・Preview : August 18, 2026 (Tue)

・Exhibition Period : August 19, 2026 (Wed) - August 24 (Mon) *Last day ends at 5:00 PM

・Exhibition Venue : Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Main Building 6F, Special Art Gallery

・Representative Supporter | Yushi Akimoto (General Supervisor, MUFG Kogei Project / Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of the Arts)

・Supporters (7 people) | Akito Akagi (Urushi craftsman)

Mariko Kobayashi (Textile Artist)

Michiko Sagou (Ceramic Artist)

Yushin Takahashi (Lacquerware Artist)

Akio Shinzato (Ceramics Artist)

Takahiro Yagi (6th Generation Kaikado)

Shohei Yokoyama (Glass Artist)

※ Works by supporters and finalists will be sold at the exhibition.

※ MUFG is not involved in any sales activities.

KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE 2025-26 Special Website

Special Website

【Official Material Download URL】

The following contents are stored at the URL. (Please refrain from use for purposes other than reporting.)

・Scene from the opening ceremony of the "KOGEI ARTISTS LEAGUE 2025-26" final selection

・Photos of each finalist's work

・Profile photos of each supporter (Please use the credits as indicated in the provided materials.)

Download URL | https://x.gd/TfbPy

About the "MUFG Kogei Project"

MUFG, in pursuit of its purpose "To be the power that advances the world," thoroughly addresses and resolves the challenges faced by society, customers, and all stakeholders. As part of this purpose, we are undertaking various initiatives, including holding events and seminars to support the development of craft culture and industry, and both creators and users.

※ "MUFG Kogei Project" Site