MORIYAMA, Japan — Fans are flocking to the Sagawa Art Museum in Moriyama, Shiga Prefecture, to witness a unique exhibition that blends the beloved world of Pokémon with traditional Japanese craftsmanship. The exhibit, titled “Pokémon × Kogei: Playful Encounters of Pokémon and Japanese Craft,” features around 80 artworks created by 20 artists and artisans, ranging from emerging talents to national living treasures. These works are crafted from various materials, including wood, metal, and fabric.
Originally opening at the National Crafts Museum in Kanazawa in March 2023, the exhibit ran through June, attracting approximately 95,000 visitors. It then traveled to Los Angeles, where it was on display from July through January. The tour resumed in Shiga Prefecture in March and will continue through the year, with the exhibition showing in Shiga until June 9.
Among the standout pieces is a ceramic jar depicting Charizard, created by Shiga artist Keiko Masumoto. Other notable works include a wooden sculpture of Ho-Oh, a Pokémon known for its radiant, multi-colored feathers; a metal sculpture; and a yuzen kimono adorned with various Pokémon characters.
“All the works were really powerful and fun to see,” said an 8-year-old fan from Maniwa, Okayama Prefecture.
Yasunori Fujii, a curator at the Sagawa Art Museum, expressed his hopes for the exhibition, stating, “I hope many people will appreciate the precision and beauty of Japanese craftsmanship, which has been cultivated over many years, through Pokémon, as it is something people of all ages are familiar with.”