General News

Paris Event Promotes Traditional Japanese Crafts as Part of Govt Project

Courtesy of the Cabinet Office
Kazumi Murose, a master artisan of maki-e lacquerware, far left, explains his work to guests on March 3 during the Japan Sui Collection event at the hotel Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris in Paris.

The Japan News

21:00 JST, March 24, 2026

The first overseas event for the government project Japan Sui Collection, promoting high-quality, appealing regional products from across Japan to an international audience, was held from March 3 to 5 at the hotel Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris in Paris. The event featured traditional Japanese craft pieces.

About 200 leaders from various fields across Europe participated in the event and experienced the beauty of Japan.

This Paris event followed the kickoff event held in Kyoto in November. The roughly 50 exhibited items included crafts such as Kutani-ware pieces and Hakata ningyo dolls. Similar items were presented at the Paris Expositions in which Japan first participated in the 19th century. Works made using natural materials such as lacquer, washi paper, raw silk threads and indigo dye were also exhibited.

The event also included works by two designated living national treasures, Kazumi Murose and Yukie Osumi — specializing in maki-e lacquerware and metal craft, respectively — showcasing these artisans’ areas of expertise.

Murose attended the event himself and impressed many guests by giving a lecture about his techniques and the characteristics of maki-e, while holding the tools he uses in his work.

On March 4, hotel restaurant Dining Matsuhisa Paris was reserved exclusively for the event, where Japanese cuisine supervised by chef Nobu Matsuhisa was served. Sixteen varieties of sake also made their European debut through pairings with select cheeses.