Exhibitions

Pokémon × Kogei – Playful Encounters of Pokémon and Japanese Craft

2024.07.06(Sat) - 2024.09.09(Mon)

Overview

This summer, MOA Museum of Art is hosting a special exhibition, Pokémon × Kogei – Playful Encounters of Pokémon and Japanese Craft Put Pokémon and Kōgei face to face, and what sorts of chemical reactions will occur? Twenty craft artists, from a Living National Treasure to youngsters, have seriously tackled this question.
Works that evoke Pokémon shapes, gestures, touch. Works that reach back into memories of video games—evolution, trade, locations for journey, super-effective moves. Plus invitations to Pokémon to become part of the vessels that adorn our daily lives and even ultra cool attire—kimono and obi clasps. What will your encounter with the works lying in wait for you in the exhibition gallery bring? Thrills, rapture, grins, tremors?
The power of multiplication rides again! Please enjoy the quantum leaps in beauty and technique it has generated.

 

 

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 
 
- Twenty kōgei artists, from Living National Treasures to budding talents, summoned their expertise and worked on diverse materials using refined techniques of kōgei to delve into the world of Pokémon—through inspirations, struggles and enjoyment, creating brand new works, counting 70 and some of them in public view for the first time, to be premiered in this exhibition.
- Discover the most unexpected aspects of Pokémon that are revealed by the rich textures of the materials and the superlative execution of crafting techniques.
- Observe the rich potential of kōgei as a tradition that continues to evolve through times and generations.
 
 

Chapters

 
 
1. Appearance—Approach!
Kōgei expertise has invoked Pokémon species out of unexpected materials. In their true forms, from the skin and fur textures, demeanors, and countenances down to auras and manners of manifestation, these guys are so inexplicably refreshing. Horn your senses and get ready for the magical encounters.
 
 

Venusaur, Imai Sadamasa, 2022
Private collection ©Imai Sadamasa (Photo: Saiki Taku)

After Rain, Fukuda Toru, 2022
Private collection ©Fukuda Toru (Photo: Saiki Taku)

Articulated Gyarados, Mitsuta Haruo, 2022
Private collection ©Mitsuta Haruo (Photo: Saiki Taku)

Flareon, Yoshida Taiichiro, 2022
Private collection ©Yoshiad Taiichiro (Photo: Saiki Taku)

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2. Stories—Jump in!
Kōgei took on the world of Pokémon. Exciting evolutions and transformations, alluring stages of the journey, and breathtaking special moves—all experienced as a spectator before—it is now your turn to be the main player of the game.
 
 

Poké Ball Box, Ikeda Terumasa, 2022
Private collection ©Ikeda Terumasa (Photo: Saiki Taku)

Transformable Ornament, Rookidee/Corvikinight
Tsuboshima Yuki, 2022
Private collection ©Tsuboshima Yuki (Photo: Saiki Taku)

Pikachu’s Adventures in a Forest, Sudo Reiko, 2022
Private collection ©Sudo Reiko (Photo: Hayashi Masayuki)

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3. Life—Cherish!
Kōgei has the power to uplift and energize everyday moments. Now, it is for Pokémons to tackle the features and decorative methods of this art. Chase them across various vessels and garments and, while doing so, learn how to cherish each day so you can enrich your every day.
 
 

Sash Clasp in Umbreon Shape “Intimidating” /
Brooch in Umbreon Shape “Sleep” /
Sash Clasp in Umbreon Shape “Standing”
Katsura Morihito, 2022
Private collection ©Katsura Morihito (Photo: Saiki Taku)

Kimono fabric in Edo Komon “Gengar and Hunter”
Komiya Yasuyoshi, 2022
Private collection ©Komiya Yasuyoshi (Photo: Saiki Taku)

Tea Caddy in Maki-e “Call Spring,” Taguchi Yoshiaki, 2022
Private collection ©Taguchi Yoshiaki (Photo: Saiki Taku)

Charizard/Shigaraki Jar, Masumoto Keiko, 2022
Private collection ©Masumoto Keiko (Photo: Saiki Taku)

 

Tickets with entry time slot booking

 

This exhibition will be held on a time-slot basis during the event period (July 6 to September 9).
Book your visit with a designated admission time slot in advance and enjoy smooth entry.
Walk-in tickets for the exhibition are available from the museum ticket office.
Please note that holders of tickets with a pre-booked admission time slot will be given priority for entry at busy hours. Walk-in ticket holders may be asked to wait before being admitted.
* The date/time specific admission does not extend to young students (age 15 or younger), Museum membership card holders, disability certificate holders (with up to two attendants), invitation card holders, and others who are entitled to entry free of charge.
* Groups of 10 or more individuals are required to make a reservation in advance. Please call MOA Museum of Art to make a reservation. Tel: 0557-84-2511

 

* The tickets are available for purchase from April 1 at 10:00

 

Admission fees

 

*Prices in brackets apply to groups of 10 or more individuals

 

[Important information]
Tickets with entry time slot booking
- These tickets are not available for purchase at the museum’s on-site ticket office.
- You may be denied entry on the day other than the date specified on your ticket.
- Cancellation of purchased tickets may be accepted before 8:00 a.m. of the designated visit date. If you wish to change your visit date/time, please cancel your ticket(s) first and purchase again with your preferred date and time.
- Tickets may not be purchased for reselling purposes. Doing so constitutes a violation of the laws and subject to penalties. The organizers of the exhibition are not held liable concerning any disputes arising from transfers or reselling of the tickets.
Walk-in (standard) tickets
- Visitors with pre-booked tickets will be given priority for entry. Walk-in ticket holders may be asked to wait before being admitted.
- Tickets that are purchased before the end of March 2024 are valid for admission as walk-in tickets.

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EVENT INFORMATION

 

Event title Pokémon × KŌGEI – Playful Encounters of Pokémon and Japanese Craft
Organizers: MOA Museum of Art and NHK Enterprises Chubu Office
Supervision: National Crafts Museum
Special cooperation: The Pokémon Company
Production assistance: NHK Promotions Inc.
In association with: The Yomiuri Shimbun
Venue: MOA Museum of Art
Event period: Sat. July 6–Mon. September 9, 2024
Contributing artists: IKEDA Terumasa, IKEMOTO Kazumi, IMAI Sadamasa, UEBA Kasumi, KATSURA Morihito, KUWATA Takuro, KOMIYA Yasuyoshi, SHIROMA Eiichi, SUDO Reiko, TAGUCHI Yoshiaki, TANAKA Nobuyuki, TSUBOSHIMA Yuki, NIIMI Hiroki, HAYASHI Shigeki, HAYAMA Yuki, FUKUDA Toru, MASUMOTO Keiko, MIZUHASHI Saori, MITSUTA Haruo, YOSHIDA Taiichiro
Number of exhibits: Approx. 70

©2024 Pokémon. ©1995-2024 Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc. TM, ®, and character names are trademarks of Nintendo.