The Year in Pictures
This year, we were fortunate to profile remarkably vibrant artists who, through their art, brought so much to our lives. Yet, the year began with disaster. On New Year’s Day, we woke to the news of vast destruction caused by an earthquake and tsunami on the remote Noto Peninsula, where artisans practicing lacquerware traditions dating back 14,000 years were fighting for their survival. In response, Japan Contemporaries raised aid funds for them through our Art for Art Project.
Even in the face of such hardship, we were reminded of regeneration inherent in art—and therein lie the seeds upon which a better future can grow. In a world where our screens are dominated by images of disasters and wars, these pages provide an alternative—a complementary view that doesn’t shy away from hardship but emphasizes the tangible hope art offers. Creation is central to building a better future for ourselves and coming generations, while honoring the artists whose work provides the foundation for this renewal.
-Jake Price
Art for Art: Kizuna for the Noto Peninsula
Photos by The Japan Ministry of Defense, Hiroki Kobayahsi, Jake Price, Aaron Lee Fineman & Haruka Sakaguchi
On New Year’s Day, we woke up to the news that Japan’s west coast was struck by a powerful earthquake and tsunami, devastating the town of Wajima on the Noto Peninsula. While we didn’t anticipate covering breaking news, we felt it was essential to document this disaster that profoundly affected so many artisans in Japan, particularly those in the lacquerware industry, who faced significant losses.
In response to the disaster, Contributors to Japan Contemporaries launched the Art for Art campaign, selling photos and artwork to raise funds for affected artisans. This effort builds on a decade of experience fostering a global network to address disasters in Japan, initiated after the 3/11 triple disaster in Tohoku. The following are some of the photos that raised funds for the artisans in Wajima.
Participating photographers & artists for the benefit also include: Sofia Echa, Richard Ford III, Toshiki Hayasaka, Reiner Heidorn, Miho Hiranouchi, Yuki Iwanami, Asako Iwasawa, Hajime Kimura, Visakh Menon, Richard Mosse, Masaaki Noda, Hiroki Otsuka, Q Sakamaki, Kiichi Takeuchi & Yutaro Yamaguchi.
Photos by Jake Price
In April we spoke with renowned architect and furniture maker Mira Nakashima about the transcendent nature of craft, her early years in the Minidoka concentration camp, and how questioning authority has sustained the legacy of Nakashima Woodworkers.
For Mira, furniture making is more than a physical process—it is transcendent. “Working with one’s hands and without automated machines brings a whole new level of consciousness,” she explained. This tactile process infuses a unique energy into each piece. “Every piece is individual; there will never be another like it. We carefully consider and individually construct every joint in every piece we create,” she added.
Reflections on AANHPI Heritage Month
Photo by Jake Price
As Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month came to a close, we reflected on how to sustain and build upon the spirit of inclusiveness and community fostered throughout May. During the pandemic, violence against Asians increased significantly and obstinately persisted. In a climate of heightened discrimination and hate crimes against AANHPI communities—and others facing prejudice—art plays a vital role in countering dehumanizing depictions and misrepresentations. Through art, we aimed to strengthen the AANHPI community by challenging stereotypes, addressing inequities, and fostering greater understanding and unity.
The Spiritual Significance of Urushi Lacquerwork in the Era of Climate Change
Photos by Jake Price
As a publication dedicated to art, we did not initially set out to focus on climate change—yet, time and again, it found its way into our stories. In May, the Asuka II sailed into Manhattan, carrying some of Japan’s most esteemed Living National Treasures, including Kazumi Murose (master of maki-e lacquerware) and Genjiro Okura (Noh musician). During a discussion aboard the ship, Murose shared how, for the first time in his life, he was unable to tap the Urushi trees that provide the lacquer essential to his craft—a tradition that has sustained his practice since the Jōmon period. He attributed this disruption to the changing heat and humidity brought on by climate change.
The rich history of Japan is deeply intertwined with the skilled craftsmen and their supporters who have preserved traditional Kōgei across centuries. This diverse array of crafts has evolved in step with Japanese society, yet many of these traditions now face the threat of extinction. Shifts in modern lifestyles, compounded by the growing impact of climate change on natural resources, have endangered access to the raw materials that underpin these practices. In response, artisans are innovating. By adapting their crafts for contemporary contexts while honoring their traditions, they are working to ensure this long artisanal heritage is not lost, but instead passed on to future generations.
Photos by Aaron Lee Fineman
In August, Japan Contemporaries sat down with the artist where he talked about his first solo show in New York, how leaving his desk job was the best decision he ever made, and how art can transcend borders and bring people together.
Photos by Shuto Isobe
In September, as we prepared a follow-up on how artisans were coping in Wajima, news broke of a second disaster when heavy rains, made worse because of climate change, triggered severe flooding and landslides, claiming ten lives in Wajima and fifteen across the Noto Peninsula, according to Ishikawa Prefecture authorities. The lacquerware artisans, a vital part of the region’s cultural and economic heart, faced yet another setback in their ongoing efforts to rebuild.
Over the centuries, the region had weathered numerous challenges, particularly from natural disasters, but the obstacles of that time were among the most daunting in its history. Recovery was further hindered by the exodus of young people to cities, competition from factory-produced goods, and an aging population of artisans—all of which threatened the survival of this ancient craft. We documented those who remained, rebuilding their lives in the hope of passing this tradition on to future generations.
Photo by Jake Price
In December, Saori Kanda reflected on a transformative year, sharing insights on her exhibition at Art Basel Miami, her philosophy of self-love, and how Shinto rituals inspired her work. For Kanda, self-love was far from selfish—it was an essential foundation for creativity and growth. “When we nurture ourselves, we’re better equipped to connect with others and the world around us,” she explained.
Photos by Jake Price, calligraphy by Koho Kurihara
If the year began with destruction, we close it with Koho Kurihara’s exquisite calligraphy, joined with images of a more peaceful and thriving natural world, illustrating the potential for harmony between nature and craft.
Kurihara was awarded First Runner-Up at the Japan Contemporaries Series 11, Juried Open Call, titled The Art of Sho, curated by Motoichi Adachi and Kyoko Sato. This significant exhibition took place from November 5-12, 2024, at the Tenri Cultural Institute in New York, featuring an opening reception and live performance on November 7. It marked the first Japanese calligraphy exhibition in the Japan Contemporaries Series, highlighting the artistry and cultural relevance of sho (calligraphy) in a modern context.
In collaboration with Mr. Price, Kurihara combined her calligraphy with his imagery to create a series of cinematic poems reflecting her experiences in New York. The film can be watched here.
To bring this year to a close, and looking forward to the next one, all of us here at Japan Contemporaries wish you a light filled year full of inspiration.