The Kogei World Competition in Kanazawa is an international competition that showcases new innovations in craft (kogei). The competition calls for entries that utilize craft techniques to create expressive works of art characterized by outstanding concepts or ideas. The theme for the competition is “Craft Visions.” We look forward to works that discerningly capture the essence of contemporary expression from the perspective of craft. The competition will encourage the bold participation of young artists by newly offering a Next Generation Award for entrants under 35. Applicable genres and materials include ceramics, metal, textiles, lacquer, dolls, wood, bamboo, glass, leather, enamel, paper, and others. We look forward to receiving entries that usher in a new era.

Works that pass the first round of judging, including award-winning entries, will be placed on exhibit in the People’s Gallery of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa from Sunday, November 13 to Wednesday, November 30, 2022, for the 5th Triennale of Kogei in Kanazawa.

Exhibition: 2022 Kogei World Competition in Kanazawa
Dates: Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, November 13 to Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Venue: People's Gallery B at the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa

• People of all nationalities and ages are welcome to submit works.
• All entries must have been produced in 2019 or later by an individual or group, and must not have been previously exhibited, including in other open-call exhibitions.

• Maximum one work per individual (or group).

1. Works should apply a contemporary perspective to craft techniques or materials in a way that is both unique and expressive.

2. Works should consist of craft materials such as ceramics, metal, textiles, lacquer, dolls, wood, bamboo, glass, leather, enamel, paper, or some combination thereof.

3. Form and Dimensions:
   Form: Both three-dimensional and flat works will be accepted.
   Dimensions: Combined height, width, and depth of no more than 350 cm, with a weight of no more than 50 kg.
   ●For flat works, frame size and weight are included within these restrictions.
   ●Please do not put glass or acrylic into the frame.

1. Application Deadline
   Works must arrive by 11:59 p.m. (JST) on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.

2. First Round of Judging
   Middle of May, 2022
   Images of the works and materials submitted by the applicants will undergo an initial judging round, and works that continue to the final judging will be selected. Results will be reported only to entrants whose works are selected during the first round of judging.

3. Final Judging
   Sunday, July 31, 2022
   Applicants who have submitted works that pass the first round of judging will be requested to bring or send the works themselves to a designated location within a designated period. These works will then undergo final judging, and the award winners will be selected.

Isobel Dennis (UK)
Fair Director, Collect, Crafts Council

Monika Bincsik (USA)
Diane and Arthur Abbey Associate Curator for Japanese Decorative Arts, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Cho Hyeyoung (Korea)
Head Curator, Tongyeong Triennale, Korea; Member, International Academy of Ceramics (IAC)

Lin Mun-lee (Taiwan)
Chair, National Culture and Arts Foundation; Professor Emeritus, National Taipei University of Education; Former Director, National Palace Museum

Karasawa Masahiro (Japan)
Director, National Crafts Museum

Aoyagi Masanori (Japan)
Director, Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art; Chair, Tama Art University; Former Commissioner for Cultural Affairs

Hasegawa Yuko (Japan)
Director, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa; Professor, Graduate School of Global Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts

Ohi Toyasai (Japan)
Ceramic artist; Recipient of the Order of Culture; Member of the Japan Art Academy, Japan

Nakagawa Mamoru (Japan)
Metalcraft artist; Living National Treasure

Grand Prize: 1,000,000 JPY (1 winner)

Second Prize: 500,000 JPY (1 winner)

Special Recognition Award: 200,000 JPY (3 winners)

Next Generation Award: 100,000 JPY (2 winners)

• The Next Generation Award is open to those who are under the age of 35 as of the end of July 2022, when the final judging will be conducted. (Date of birth must be on or after August 1, 1987. In the case of a group, all members must meet the age requirement.)
• Award Ceremony and Talk Event: Sunday, November 13, 2022
• Award winners are requested to attend the award ceremony.
• Grand Prize and Second Prize winners (or a representative of any group winning either) are requested to attend the award ceremony and to appear at the podium during the talk event. In order to ensure that Grand Prize and Second Prize winners may attend the award ceremony and appear at the podium during the talk event, partial payment of lodging and/or travel expenses will be provided.

1. Application Deadline

Works must arrive by 11:59 p.m. (JST) on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.

2. Application Procedure and Details

Please read the below before applying:

• Please fill out the necessary information using either the web application form or the paper application form. Your profile, information and commentary on the entry, etc., are required.

• Please send one profile photo (portrait from chest or shoulders up).

• Please send multiple images of the work to be submitted (one photo showing the entire work for catalog publication, one photo taken from the front, one photo taken from the rear, one photo taken from the left and right sides, one close-up photo, and two photos from other angles). In addition, for wearable works, please include an image showing the work being worn.

• If available, please also include one image each of up to three representative works produced in recent years (other than the work being submitted), as reference pictures.
  (Photos must be in JPEG format, maximum of 15 MB per file)

• Images will be used for judging as well as for the exhibition catalog.

Applying Online

• Please create an account using the Registration Form. Log in to the Application Form and register your information and the work. You can edit the information up to the submission deadline, Wednesday, April 13, 2022.

  Registration Form

Applying by Mail

• When applying by mail, please be sure to include your application form and a CD-R containing your profile photo, the images of the work to be submitted, and the image(s) of your other recent work(s). Send it to the address below, with enough time to ensure that it will arrive by Wednesday, April 13, 2022.

• If you are unable to download the application from, we can send you an app lication form and the application guidelines; please contact the secretariat.

  Send Applications to:
  Secretariat of the Kogei World Competition in Kanazawa
  4-48 Minato, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan 920-0211

  Application Form (PDF)

  Application Form (Excel)

3. Application Fee

• There is an application fee of 5,000 JPY per work submitted by applicants who are residents of Japan. This fee is waived for applicants who live outside of Japan.

• When applying, pay your application fee to the bank account below via bank transfer, to be received by Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (Bank transfer fees are to be paid by the applicant. Application fee money that has been sent via bank transfer cannot be refunded under any circumstances.)

Application Fee Payment Bank Account:
ank: 北國銀行 (Hokkoku Bank)
Branch: 金沢市役所 (Kanazawa Shiyakusho Branch)
Account No.: 普通 (Ordinary Account) 9581
Account Name: カナザワセカイコウゲイコンペティションウケツケガカリ
(Kanazawa Sekai Kougei Konpetishon Uketsuke Gakari)

1. Judging Based on Photos Submitted

In the middle of May, 2022, the judges will perform a first round of judging based on the images of the works and the materials submitted by the applicants.

2. Announcement of Results and Exhibition Consent

• The results of the first round of judging will be posted on our website.

• Works that pass the first round of judging will continue on to the final round of judging and the exhibition.

• The applicants who have submitted works that pass the first round of judging will be informed of the results and provided with the exhibition information and an exhibition consent form. Those who consent to exhibition of their works are requested to return their exhibition consent form to the secretariat during the period stipulated in the exhibition information.

1. Judging of the Works Themselves (Works that pass the first round of judging only)

On Sunday, July 31, 2022, the judges will perform a final round of judging based on the works themselves, viewed in person.
However, the method of judging is subject to change as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or other circumstances.
Award winners will be selected during this judging round. Entries that are not selected as winners will still be accepted for exhibition, but will not be awarded any honorary certificates, etc.

2. Shipment of Works (Works that pass the first round of judging only)

• Period for Shipment/Transport of Works

  International Entries:

  Dates for International Entries: Monday, June 27 to Friday, July 1, 2022 (planned)
  Entries should be shipped poste restante to the designated airport (TBA)

  Domestic Entries:

  Dates for Domestic Entries: Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24, 2022 (planned)
  Address: Applicants will be informed of the shipping address upon passing the first round of judging.
  If bringing the work in person come between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 23 or Sunday, July 24, 2022 (tentative).

Regarding Shipment and Transport of Works

• Applicants who have submitted their exhibition consent form will be asked to ship or bring their works to the designated location during the designated period.
  The period and location will be stipulated in the exhibition information.
• Any costs required to ship or otherwise transport works are to be covered by the applicants.
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to ship the work in a box or case that can safely withstand shipping.
• When submitting a work in person, applicants are still requested to store the work in a box or case that can safely withstand transportation.
• Works that are brought in person without protective packaging will not be accepted.
• The Executive Committee assumes no responsibility for damage incurred during shipment.
  If considered necessary, we request that the sender purchase insurance when shipping the work.
• Unpacking and inspection of works will be carried out on the da y that they arrive. If any damage, etc. is noticed while unpacking, the Executive Committee will contact the sender, and any restoration, insurance claims, or other measures taken after the fact will be handled by the sender.
• The Executive Committee assumes no responsibility in the event that a work is rendered unfit for final judging or exhibition due to damage incurred during shipment.
• In the event that a work other than the one that passed the first round of judging is shipped, the applicant will be disqualified, and will be ineligible for the final round of judging or exhibition.
• For the final round of judging and the exhibition, submitted works will be set up based on the images provided. In the event that particular caution is required for assembly or setup, please include sketches or instructions along with the exhibition consent form and the work.
• Works submitted will be handled under the strict supervision of specialists designated by the Executive Committee. However, in the event of complex assembly or setup instructions, the Executive Committee assumes no responsibility if this proves detrimental to the final judging or the exhibition of the work.

Regarding Shipment of Works (International Applicants Only)
All of the following apply to international entries.

• All works submitted are to undergo customs clearance under the assumption that they will be returned after the exhibition.
• For works with a CIF value of 10,000 JPY or more, please do not ship using the postal service or an international parcel-shipping company, as the work may be unable to clear customs when import duty taxes are taken into consideration. Even if the work provisionally clears customs, import duty taxes may be assessed when exporting the work from Japan.
  In these cases, import duty taxes will be considered the respon sibility of the applicant submitting the work. If sent in such a way, the work will be treated as a domestic cargo, not as an imported cargo, which will make the customs clearance process for returning the work much more complicated or even impossible. “CIF Value” refers to the total value of the work being shipped, including shipping and insurance fees.
• Customs clearance fees or shipping fees within Japan will be considered the responsibility of the Executive Committee.
• In the event that necessary information for customs clearance i s not included, or a value differing from that written on the exhibition application form is written on the invoice, there is a possibility that the work will not clear customs. Make sure that the same value is written on both the exhibition application form and the invoice.
• The Executive Committee assumes no responsibility in the event that a work cannot clear customs due to a problem or error in preparing the invoice, in which case the work may not arrive for final judging and/or exhibition.
• When an international applicant or a person designated by that applicant bring a work to Japan, they will be solely responsible for any import duty taxes, customs clearance fees, or domestic shipping expenses incurred within Japan, none of which will be paid for by the Executive Committee.
• Even in the event that shipping preparations are made by a proxy, the Executive Committee will directly contact the applicant submitting the work.
• Do not use wood that is not heat-treated (e.g. wooden crates) for packaging works to be shipped. In the event that you do use wood, it must be either heat-treated or fumigation-certified. Even if untreated packaging is successfully shipped to the Executive Committee, the committee will be unable to spend the effort or money for the fumigation treatment necessary to ship it back to the applicant. (Note: these restrictions do not apply to plywood.)
• Works which are submitted from China, the USA, and any other countries where private import is tightly regulated will be returned by EMS after the Exhibition. Therefore, applicants from these countries must ensure that their packages meet the size conditions of EMS in their own country.
• Please note that, due to the Washington Convention, works made using certain plants and/or animals may not clear customs within the designated period.

3. Announcement of Results and Notifications

The results of the final judging will be posted on our website.

• Award winners will be notified in writing. Notification letters will be sent out approximately two weeks after the judging is finished.

4. Critique and Commentary Session
On the day of the final judging, a critique and commentary event will be held by the judges. The time, venue, and other details will be posted on our website once they are finalized.

1. Exhibition
All works submitted for final judging will be exhibited in the 5th Triennale of Kogei in Kanazawa, with the exception of works that do not meet exhibition rules and egulations, etc.

2. Catalog

• An exhibition catalog of the works submitted for final judging will be published.

• One copy of the catalog will be provided to each applicant (one copy per group for group entries).

3. Management of Works

• During the period between reception and return of the works submitted, the works will be insured by the Executive Committee, and unpacking, exhibition, etc. of the works will be handled with the utmost care by specialists designated by the Executive Committee. However, the committee assumes no responsibility for reparation payments in the event of a natural disaster or act of God.

• Be sure to set a monetary value for the work sent, as it will be necessary for calculating the value that it will be insured for.

• Any intellectual property related to any work submitted shall belong to the submitting applicant. However, the below apply with regards to use of said intellectual property:

  • a. In the event of public relations activities or exhibitions by the Executive Committee and/or other public institutions such as local public bodies, permission to use the intellectual property of works submitted shall be assumed.
  • b. In the event of printing exhibition catalogs, postcards, posters, or other printed materials and/or publicity materials, permission to use the images of works submitted shall be assumed.
  • c. It shall be assumed that there are no particular limits on the period of use.
  • d. With regards to images of works presented, in the event that for-profit use is expected, it shall be assumed that the intended user and the submitting applicant shall both participate in discussions.
  • e. Works that receive awards, as well as works that pass the first round of judging, may be re-photographed and used by the Executive Committee.
  • f. Any sketching or photography of works at the venue, with the exception of news coverage or documentation by the Executive Committee, shall be prohibited as a general rule.

4. Return of Works (Within Japan)

• Following the end of the exhibition, the Executive Committee will commission a freighting company to return the works submitted. The works shall be packed with the utmost care by art-packing specialists designated by the Executive Committee, but in the unlikely event of any damage or an accident being discovered upon a work’s return, please contact the freighting company with regard to any issues. The Executive Committee cannot confirm damages, and as such cannot do anything in the case of such an event.

• Shipping and insurance fees for works being returned within Jap an shall be paid by the submitting applicant. However, any expenses related to packing shall be paid by the Executive Committee. After the exhibition, an estimate of shipping fees will be sent to the e-mail address provided by the applicant. On a subsequent date, a bill for payment will be sent to the applicant, at which point the applicant is requested to pay the fees requested.
  Once payment has been confirmed, return shipping procedures will begin. In the event that payment cannot be confirmed, the applicant’s work will be stored for a reasonable period, then disposed.

5. Return of Works (International)

• When returning works submitted by applicants living outside of Japan, the Executive Committee will pay only for the expenses required to ship the work to an international airport in the submitting applicant's country of residence.

• Any expenses incurred in clearing customs when entering the recipient's country, as well as in transporting the work from the international airport to the submitting applicant, shall be the responsibility of the submitting applicant.

• Please note that, in the event that a work cannot be returned because the submitting applicant refuses to cover expenses related to clearing customs and/or transporting the work from the international airport to the submitting applicant, the work shall be disposed.

• In the event that a submitting applicant sends a work from overseas, but with a return address within Japan, shipping and insurance fees shall be paid by the recipient upon delivery. Please note that, in the event that the Executive Committee covered expenses related to a customs clearance fee or domestic shipping within Japan when receiving the work, the Executive Committee may submit a bill for the expenses incurred to the submitting applicant.

• In the event that the submitting applicant refuses the return of the work, the work shall be disposed of by the Executive Committee. By consenting to the exhibition of the entry, submitting applicants also acknowledge their consent to this.

• Works will be returned approximately six weeks after the end of the exhibition.