Nara City: Two Young Craft Artists Selected for the "55th Kinki Traditional Crafts Exhibition"!
Two young craft artists, Sayaka Deguchi (Nara Lacquerware) and Naoki Sugawara (Akahada Ware), from Nara City's traditional craft successor training program, have been selected for the "55th Kinki Traditional Crafts Exhibition." Their works will be exhibited at Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. from April 8 to April 13, 2026. A related event, "Kinki Traditional Crafts Exhibition in NARA 2026," will also be held at Nara Craft Museum from May 14 to May 24, 2026, featuring a live demonstration by Sayaka Deguchi.
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Sayaka Deguchi (Nara Lacquerware), currently in the 7th term of the Nara Traditional Crafts Successor Training Program implemented by Nara City, and Naoki Sugawara (Akahada Ware), a graduate of the same program, have been selected for the "Kinki Traditional Crafts Exhibition." This is Sugawara's second time being selected for this exhibition. The Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition is a prestigious open-call exhibition organized by the Japan Crafts Association, where excellent craft works from the Kinki region are rigorously judged and selected. Being selected for this exhibition is considered a significant recognition for traditional craft artists.
The selected works will be displayed at the exhibition venue at Kyoto Takashimaya, where both artists' works can be viewed directly.
This announcement highlights the results of their training in this program being recognized in a public open-call exhibition, and expresses anticipation for the further success of these young craft artists.
■ 55th Kinki Traditional Crafts Exhibition Overview
Exhibition Name: Kinki Traditional Crafts Exhibition
○ Period: April 8 (Wed) - April 13 (Mon), Reiwa 8 (2026) 10:00-19:00
*Admission until 30 minutes before closing. Closes at 17:00 on the final day.
○ Venue: Kyoto Takashimaya S.C. (Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City) 7th Floor Grand Hall
○ Content: An open-call exhibition showcasing selected works in the field of traditional crafts.
*Exhibited works may be for sale, and if sold during the exhibition period, they may no longer be viewable.
○ Official Website: https://www.nihonkogeikai.or.jp/exhibition/kinki/55/?tab=info
■ Related Event Information at Nara Craft Museum (1-1 Ajimanji-cho, Nara City)
Kinki Traditional Crafts Exhibition in NARA 2026
Approximately 30 works, including those by award winners and selected artists residing in Nara City or nearby areas, will be exhibited from the works submitted to the exhibition.
・Date and Time: May 14 (Thu) - May 24 (Sun), Reiwa 8 (2026) 10:00-18:00 (tentative) *Closed on Mondays
Production Demonstration
A production demonstration will be held by Sayaka Deguchi (Nara Lacquerware), who was selected for the exhibition.
・Date and Time: May 17 (Sun), Reiwa 8 (2026) 12:30-16:30
Contact for this matter
Nara City Industrial Policy Division
TEL: 0742-34-4741
d36429-418-f31a25a8bd65f5c64f3e7266f91916aa.pdfFAQ
When will the 55th Kinki Traditional Crafts Exhibition be held?
It will be held from April 8 (Wednesday) to April 13 (Monday), 2026, at the 7th floor Grand Hall of Kyoto Takashimaya S.C.
When is the related event at Nara Craft Museum?
It will be held from May 14 (Thursday) to May 24 (Sunday), 2026, with a production demonstration by Sayaka Deguchi on May 17 (Sunday).