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"Synergies between tradition and modernity - Japanese crafts at the cutting edge of innovation" - 14th edition

Photo : CLAIR Paris

Nov 24 – Dec 5Free

"Synergies between tradition and modernity - Japanese crafts at the cutting edge of innovation" - 14th edition

Excellent Japanese crafts from 24 cities and prefectures. As part of the CLAIR Paris exhibition-sale at the Maison de la culture du Japon in Paris.

Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris (Paris 15th)

Event website

About

From November 24th to December 5th, 2026, CLAIR Paris (Japan Local Government Center) will present the 14th edition of its event "Synergies between tradition and modernity - Local crafts at the cutting edge of innovation" at the Maison de la culture du Japon in Paris.

Traditional crafts from the different regions of the archipelago are at the origins of monozukuri, the art of designing objects. Even today, the elegant design, meticulous manufacturing, and high quality of these objects enrich the daily lives of the Japanese.

Thanks to the exceptional participation of 24 prefectures and cities, several hundred handcrafted creations will be available to discover during this exhibition-sale, all born from exceptional know-how passed down by generations of artisans to the present day.

This event will showcase these excellent craft objects based on three aspects of Japanese life (I - Shoku - Ju): clothing (I), tableware (Shoku), and housing (Ju).

Highlighting this "regional art of living" that is omnipresent in Japan will be a great opportunity to discover the subtleties of the artisanal techniques of 24 local authorities, as well as their admirable capacity to adapt to the needs of contemporary lifestyles, while innovating in many fields: silk, textiles, glass art, lacquerware, goldsmithing, ceramics, cutlery, woodwork, washi paper, etc.

- The 24 prefectures and cities present (from North to South): Aomori, Miyagi, Sendai (Miyagi Pref.), Akita, Yamagata, Koriyama (Fukushima Pref.), Tokyo, Kanagawa, Toyama, Kanazawa (Ishikawa Pref.), Fukui (Pref. and city), Nagano, Gifu, Nagoya (Aichi Pref.), Ise (Mie Pref.), Matsusaka (Mie Pref.), Shiga, Kyoto, Sakai (Osaka Pref.), Hyogo, Tamba-Sasayama (Hyogo Pref.), Fukuoka, Kumamoto (Kumamoto Pref.).

Workshops led by artisans from Japan will take place (by reservation with the MCJP):

< Edo oshi-e discovery workshop (Tokyo Pref.)

< Kawatsura shikki art / lacquerware workshop (Akita Pref.)

< Nature and know-how conference / traditional paper and ceramics (Gifu Pref.)

< Kumiko creation workshop (Nagano Pref.)

Our take on this event

Forget mass production and discover the soulful world of Japanese monozukuri, where centuries-old craftsmanship meets modern living. From exquisite tableware to fine textiles, this exhibition reveals how distant regional techniques can elevate your home decor.

The Maison de la culture du Japon hosts the 14th edition of Synergies between tradition and modernity, a deep dive into monozukuri, the Japanese art of crafting objects. From November 24 to December 5, 2026, discover hundreds of artisanal creations from 24 Japanese cities and prefectures, blending ancient techniques with modern design. Whether it is textiles, ceramics, or woodwork, this free exhibition-sale highlights regional excellence across clothing, tableware, and living spaces. The entire venue is wheelchair accessible for all visitors.

From November 24 to December 5, 2026, the Maison de la culture du Japon in the 15th arrondissement serves as the venue for an immersive journey into Japanese craftsmanship. Organized by CLAIR Paris, this 14th edition brings together 24 local governments to showcase unique pieces ranging from silk, lacquerware, and glassware to cutlery and washi paper. The exhibition-sale focuses on three pillars of daily Japanese life: clothing, tableware, and interior design.

Visitors can explore how age-old techniques are being adapted to meet contemporary lifestyles. The event also features hands-on workshops and a lecture to delve deeper into these skills, covering topics such as Edo-style oshi-e, kawatsura shikki lacquer art, kumiko woodworking, and traditional paper-making with ceramics. Please note that participation in these specific sessions requires prior booking through the MCJP.

The exhibition is free of charge and open Tuesday to Saturday, from 11:00 to 19:00. The facility is fully wheelchair accessible.

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