人類は長い歴史の中で、器、衣服など必要なものを自からの手で作ってきた。それらは実用的なだけでなく、美しさも備え、創造性を持ち、技術力に支えられ、地域性を持ち、現代まで続いてきた。

工芸とは、変わりゆく時代が持つ感性に支えられた暮らしを彩る「美しいもの」であり、実用性が重視されるが、時に用という境界を超えて作品自体が芸術となる。

素材や技法を知り、それらが生まれた背景や文化を学び、影響を受けあった地域や国々との交流を通じて、工芸の持つ力を自分たちの力の源とし、また友好の印としたい。

Throughout human history people have fashioned needed items—eating utensils, clothing—with their own hands. In many cases these items have gone beyond utilitarianism to also embody beauty, creativity, technical skill and a sense of region, becoming full-fledged traditions that continue into our present day.

Kougei

("crafts") can be thought of as "things of beauty" that bring pleasure to life based on aesthetic sensibilities that shift and change over time. And while their inherent utilitarianism is often highlighted, there are times when these objects go beyond mere usefulness to become art themselves.

By knowing about materials and techniques, by learning about the regions and cultures behind them, and by sharing exchanges with mutually influenced nations and cultures, we hope to make the power inherent in kougei a source of our own energy, as well as a mark of friendship.